Contract Status of Detroit Lions' Wide Receivers in 2024
The Detroit Lions had a potent offensive attack in 2023, and Amon-Ra St. Brown was a large reason why.
For a second consecutive season, St. Brown accumulated 100-plus catches, and went north of 1,160 yards receiving. He also hauled in a career-high 10 touchdowns, and earned first-team All-Pro honors for the very first time. He easily led the way for the Lions’ receiving corps.
Fellow pass-catchers Jameson Williams, Josh Reynolds and Kalif Raymond also enjoyed productive stretches during the ‘23 season. And, the three of them, along with St. Brown, played pivotal roles in Jared Goff's 4,575-yard, 30-touchdown campaign in 2023.
Reynolds and Donovan Peoples-Jones, an acquisition at last year's trade deadline, will both be unrestricted free agents this offseason, and there's no guarantee that either of them will be back in Motown in 2024.
Without further ado, let's take a glance at the contract status of the wide receivers that spent 2023 with the Lions.
The All-Pro wideout has one more year left on his rookie deal, and will count $1,251,315 against the cap in 2024.
He has a miniscule $196,315 in guarantees left on his contract.
Williams, a second-year pro in 2023, is signed with Detroit through 2025 (could be 2026, dependent upon his fifth-year team option being picked up). The Alabama product carries with him a cap hit of $4,762,307 in 2024.
He has $4,939,742 in guarantees remaining on his rookie contract.
Reynolds, coming off his best season as a member of the Lions, is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. The Texas A&M product caught 40 balls, and amassed 608 yards and five touchdowns in 2023.
As one of Goff's favorite and most reliable targets, I wouldn't be surprised to see Brad Holmes ink Reynolds to a new contract.
Raymond, a quality reserve wideout and special teams contributor, is signed with the Lions through the 2025 season. He'll count $3.25M against the cap in 2024.
Additionally, he has $6,050,000 in guarantees remaining on his current contract.
Peoples-Jones, a Detroit native, was acquired at last year's trade deadline. In limited playing time, he caught five balls (on seven targets) for 58 yards.
The 25-year-old will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
Green, the Lions’ seventh-round pick last April, finished his rookie campaign as a member of Detroit's 53-man roster. He's signed through the 2026 season, and will count $944,190 against the cap in 2024.
He has $87,570 in guarantees remaining on his rookie contract.
Kennedy, a Lions fan favorite, finished the ‘23 campaign on the team's practice squad. He's currently signed to a “futures contract.”
Remember, a futures deal is one signed by street free agents, such as Kennedy, which doesn't count against the salary cap until the start of free agency (March 13).
Kennedy will cost Detroit a cap hit of $985,000 in 2024.
Alexander, who suited up for four games with the Lions in 2022, is in the same situation as Kennedy. He ended the ‘23 season on Detroit's practice squad, and is signed to a futures deal.
He carries with him a cap hit of $915,000.
Fountain, just like Kennedy and Alexander, closed out ‘23 as a member of Detroit's practice squad, and is signed to a futures contract.
He will count $1,055,000 against the cap in 2024.
Smith, who spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the New Orleans Saints, finished last season on the Denver Broncos’ practice squad. He suited up for just one regular season contest with Denver.
Earlier this month, the Lions inked the former Saints wideout to a futures deal. He will count $985K against the cap this upcoming season.
Jones’ second stint in Detroit didn't last nearly as long as his first (2016-2020).
Midway through this past season, the veteran wideout departed from the team for personal reasons, and subsequently was released. He played in only six games in his short-lived, second stint with the Lions, compiling a measly five catches for 35 yards.
He is set to cost $800K against the cap in 2024.
