Somehow, someway, wide receiver Tom Kennedy continues to find himself on the Detroit Lions. Since joining the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2019, he’s been signed and released from the team’s practice squad several times, yet he keeps finding his way back in the picture.
While Kennedy proved his worth on the special teams this past season, logging 16 kickoff returns for 447 yards, it’ll be an uphill battle for him to remain on the team. With the addition of Greg Dortch, the wide receiver room is arguably the deepest it’s been in the Dan Campbell era. Once again, Kennedy must prove he deserves a spot on the team, but this time he’ll need to display that he’s more than just a special teamer.
Lions' Kennedy Must Showcase Improvement as a Wide Receiver
Across his seven-year career, Kennedy’s production has been almost exclusively on special teams. On the offensive side, he’s been almost non-existent. Kennedy has seen the field for just 448 offensive snaps in his career, with only 64 over the last two seasons, reeling in 18 receptions on 30 targets for 231 yards.
He’s been given plenty of opportunities to grow and develop as a pass-catcher, yet he continues to disappoint. At 5’10” and 195 pounds, Kennedy offers limited versatility, as he’s exclusively played in the slot.
A great slot receiver creates separation in the short area and excels at getting yards after the catch. Lions fans know that well thanks to wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, who’s set the standard at the position the last few years. His elite route-running and ability to create separation, along with his playmaking, are a crucial piece to the Lions’ offense. Meanwhile, Kennedy hasn’t showcased any of these traits
While Kennedy is capable of being a playmaker on special teams, it won’t save a spot on the team this time around, especially with the addition of Dortch.
Over the last three seasons, Dortch has played in offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s system with the Arizona Cardinals, operating as the primary slot receiver. Dortch has proven to be a reliable receiver during this stretch, logging 90 receptions for 828 yards and eight touchdowns across 45 games.
Not only has he been a dependable receiving threat, but he’s also been an important factor on the special teams as a returner. Last year, Dortch returned 31 kickoffs for 811 yards and 16 punts for 185 yards.
With Dortch’s knowledge of Petzing’s tendencies combined with his superb play on special teams, Kennedy’s chances of earning a spot in this crowded receiving corps are extremely thin.
Typically, teams tend to carry five or six receivers on the active roster, plus one or two on the practice squad. After the initial roster cuts last year, Detroit opted to retain six receivers on the roster, along with three more on the practice squad.
Looking at the current roster, Kennedy slots in the WR7 or WR8 range, leaving him on the outside looking in of the 53-man roster. Although this doesn’t rule him out from making the practice squad, Kennedy is in a vulnerable position.
With the Lions likely to add receivers to the mix for training camp, Kennedy could potentially lose his spot to a younger receiver or a camp standout. Even though he’s taken a step forward as a returner, he must display progression as a pass-catcher to earn one of the final spots.
If he’s unable to do so, expect the Lions to move on from Kennedy.
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