4 Free-Agent Receivers Lions Should Target
The Detroit Lions could be in the market yet again for a wide receiver.
With the team's top two wideouts, Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, going down with injuries the past few days in training camp, Detroit, especially for depth purposes, could stand to add another individual to its receivers room.
There’ll be a setback with it. But it’s also, listen, you take it as it comes. I’m not going to sweat it," Campbell said, when asked about the impact of Williams' suspension. "As long as he’s willing to continue to grind on the playbook and get it right, we’ll take it as it goes.”
Here is a look at four pass-catchers the Lions should consider acquiring before the end of the preseason.
Jarvis Landry
Landry battled an ankle injury throughout the 2022 campaign and only played in nine games because of it.
However, when he is healthy, I think the five-time Pro Bowler can still be an asset for an NFL team's offense.
Landry, a second-round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2014, has accumulated 713 receptions, 7,870 receiving yards and 38 receiving scores throughout his professional career.
If I were Detroit general manager Brad Holmes, I'd be willing to take a flyer on the 30-year-old.
Sammy Watkins
Watkins is another 30-year-old to throw into the mix.
Just like Landry, Watkins isn't coming off a very productive 2022 campaign. He suited up for 12 games – and with two teams (the Packers and the Ravens) – and amassed just 16 catches for 325 yards. He also produced zero touchdowns.
However, at this juncture in Watkins' career, the belief is that the 10th-year pro could still be a solid depth piece, which is what the Lions need at this moment.
Watkins, who has recorded a total of 364 catches for 5,384 yards and 34 touchdowns during his NFL career, would at least be an adequate No. 3/No. 4-type receiver for Detroit this upcoming season.
Mitch Stringer, USA TODAY Sports
Julio Jones
Gone are the days of Jones being a prolific, All-Pro pass-catcher. However, in my opinion, Jones – if put in the right situation – could still positively impact an NFL franchise. And, I think he'd be a nice veteran presence for Detroit, which has aspirations of taking the next step as an organization.
Jones will enter the 2023 season at 34 years old and with a ton of mileage on his legs. However, if added by Holmes & Co., the 13th-year receiver wouldn't be expected to do a lot. He'd likely be expected to just run a few routes and catch a couple passes a game from Jared Goff, while providing some guidance from the sidelines to Jameson Williams and the Lions' other receivers.
I believe that Jones, a seven-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, would be up for the task.
T.Y. Hilton
Hilton's best days are clearly behind him. He was a late-season acquisition by the Dallas Cowboys last season, and played in just three games while recording a measly seven receptions for 121 yards.
However, just like Jones above, I believe that Hilton, who played the first 10 seasons of his pro career with the Indianapolis Colts, would be a solid veteran presence in Detroit's young receivers room and could provide some much-needed mentorship to Williams.
Maybe, just maybe, Hilton could also break off a big catch-and-run play once in a while, as he did average 17.3 yards a catch in his limited playing time with the Cowboys a season ago.
With enough reps, I'm of the mindset that the four-time Pro Bowler would be a decent No. 4 receiving option for the Lions.
