Burning Question: Is Wide Receiver Really Big Lions Team Need?

Where does WR stack up amongst Lions' Draft needs?

Jan 28, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9). / Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

In Amon-Ra St. Brown, the Detroit Lions have one of the NFL's best wide receivers.

Since entering the league in 2021, he has quickly ascended to an elite tier as a pass-catcher. He's tallied over 3,500 yards in his first three seasons and was named a first-team All-Pro for the first time in 2023.

As a result, the Lions' wide receiver room has a strong foundation. However, St. Brown is at his best in the slot. In Ben Johnson's offensive scheme, the team features multiple weapons that will need to pair nicely with St. Brown.

Detroit also has a potential star in Jameson Williams, who is set to enter his first full season in 2024. Williams' numbers through his first 18 regular season games have been lackluster, but he has game-breaking speed and his development over the course of last season suggests a breakout is on the horizon.

Still, the team will miss the presence of Josh Reynolds on the outside. The veteran was a consistent target for Jared Goff, and the two had rapport dating back to their days together with the Los Angeles Rams.

With Reynolds gone, even if Williams pans out, the Lions will still need a consistent secondary option out wide to provide Goff a reliable option. As a result, it's not hard to see the team electing to target a young pass-catcher in this year's Draft.

That's not to say that there aren't other options on the roster. Kalif Raymond has been solid when called upon. However, he stands just 5-foot-8 and doesn't fit the mold of a big-bodied wideout that Detroit will likely desire.

Another choice is Antoine Green, who could take a step forward in his second NFL season. Green caught just one pass in the regular season, but showed great promise in the preseason and could be primed to be a bigger part of the Lions' offense in 2024.

Ultimately, the Lions' pursuit of another wide receiver will depend on how they feel about Green, Raymond and Williams. It would not be surprising to see the team add a player at the position regardless, but the necessity of such a move will be contingent on the growth of their options on roster.

Given that the team traded up to get Williams in the 2022 NFL Draft, it's likely that he will be given every opportunity to continue earning a bigger role within the offense.

The X-factor is Raymond, who could earn an outside role despite his smaller stature. He's shown plenty of dependability with the Lions and could be in line for a bigger opportunity.

With all that in tow, however, it would still be wise for the organization to add another talented, big-bodied wideout into the fold. Options at the top of the Draft board include Brian Thomas Jr., Troy Franklin and Xavier Legette.

Thomas is a likely first-round pick, while Franklin and Legette could be available in the second. The Lions have always been a team that looks for their best player available at any given selection, so whether or not the team picks one of these players will depend on where they stack up amongst the available players.

The Lions have more pressing needs, but it still stands that they could benefit from adding a wide receiver. It will be fascinating to follow Brad Holmes' Draft maneuvers.