The Detroit Lions have a wide receiver problem, but the solution might come from one of the remaining 31 teams in the NFL. Here are some players that could be a fit in Detroit from around the league.
The quest for wide receiver help continues. Yet as the weeks roll by and Week 1 of the regular season approaches, it is becoming more and more likely that help in the form of a wideout will have to come from outside the organization.
Between Antoine Green getting hurt and struggles from the likes of Donovan Peoples-Jones and Daurice Fountain, the Detroit Lions are in dire need of some help at outside receiver. The only depth receiver making a positive impact has been undrafted Isaiah Williams, who faces an uphill battle as a slot receiver. Williams is playing so well—and the other options so poorly—that the Lions are even experimenting with him playing outside , far from his natural fit. Yet if the on-field performance justifies it, the Lions coaching staff will not be afraid to reward success or penalize struggles.
With one more preseason game to go and a diminishing number of practices before the inevitable cutdown day, there are external options worth exploring should the Lions deem their current wide receiver group a problem.
The Lions are not new to trading for receivers. In 2021, the Lions—still strapped for receiver help—sent a fifth-round pick to the Denver Broncos for Trinity Benson and a sixth rounder. That trade failed to materialize into anything notable for the Lions. In 2023, the Lions traded for Peoples-Jones at the end of October, but as discussed above, it has not yet amounted to a success.
The Lions could try their luck at the waiver wire come roster cuts, but given their late order on waivers, it might be beneficial to trade away a late-round draft pick or another expendable asset to skip waivers entirely and get the receiver of their choice. With plenty of teams facing a similar roster crunch as the Lions, there might be some targets worth acquiring.
Arizona Cardinals : Zach Pascal
Paschal has quietly amassed over 2,000 receiving yards in his NFL career, but the 29-year-old has been going downhill since leaving the Indianapolis Colts. He caught just four passes last season and is facing competition from another veteran in Chris Moore and a rookie draft pick in Tejhaun Palmer. The Cardinals likely have room for only one of those names, so a trip to Detroit could potentially be the fresh start Pascal needs.
Atlanta Falcons : Chris Blair
Blair has a single NFL game to his name, but he made a dent in the XFL back in 2023, finishing the year with 594 receiving yards. He turned that into a contract with the Falcons, bouncing between the injured reserve and practice squad. He has turned in a nice preseason so far, but he might still be on the outs in Atlanta.
Baltimore Ravens : Malik Cunningham
The Ravens do not have a lot of obvious fits for the Lions, so instead we’re looking at potential. Cunningham transitioned from quarterback to wide receiver this offseason and has looked good in the process. However, the Ravens might not have room for a project like him on their 53-man roster. He wouldn’t step into a starting role for Detroit, but it would be an intriguing developmental option if Antoine Green does not pan out down the road.
Buffalo Bills : Justin Shorter
Shorter was a fifth-round selection for the Bills last year, yet his season never took off due to a hamstring injury. He is now in a tough training camp battle in Buffalo and could be on the wrong side of the roster bubble. The Lions would surely value his size (6-foot-4) and blocking potential. Shorter screams untapped talent.
Carolina Panthers : Terrace Marshall Jr.
LSU has been a wide receiver factory for the NFL, yet Marshall has been one of the few highly-billed prospects not to pan out so far. Taken in the second round in 2021, Marshall has fallen out of favor in Carolina, with the newly-acquired Diontae Johnson and Xavier Legette pushing him down the depth chart. A new team is surely in the cards for Marshall, whether in 2024 or beyond. If Detroit wants to take a chance on a talented player at a low cost, Marshall is the guy.
Chicago Bears : Collin Johnson
At 6-foot-6, Johnson is a mountain of a receiver, but he has bounced around the NFL since being a fifth rounder in 2020. Johnson had a pair of touchdowns in the Hall of Fame Game to kick off the preseason, but he has been nursing an injury since—an annual issue for him. When healthy, he can contribute on offense and special teams. When, however, is the key word.
Cincinnati Bengals : Hakeem Butler
Like Johnson, Butler is among the larger receivers you will encounter in the NFL. Unfortunately for the 2024 UFL Offensive Player of the Year, the Bengals starting six receivers are almost set in stone, and keeping seven receivers seems off the table. The Lions already explored a UFL star this offseason in kicker Jake Bates, perhaps they would take another shot on Butler.
Cleveland Browns : Michael Woods II
Woods had the typical rookie season for a late-round selection, notching just five catches in 2022. Unfortunately, he tore his Achilles early in April 2023, causing him to miss the entire season. Now that the Browns have new faces like Jerry Jeudy and Jamari Thrash, plus returning draft picks in David Bell and Cedric Tillman, Woods has a difficult path to the roster. He has elite 4.37 40-yard speed for a 6-foot-1, 204-pound receiver, while his run blocking is viewed as a plus.
Dallas Cowboys : Ryan Flournoy
Flournoy was a sixth-round pick just this year for Dallas, yet he could miss the cut after a quiet preseason thus far. The Cowboys will likely want to sneak him onto their practice squad if they opt to cut him, so a starved team like Detroit could certainly target the elite athlete .
Denver Broncos : Brandon Johnson
The Lions might again tap the well that is the Broncos receiver depth chart, hopefully to better success than the Benson trade. The Broncos have a deep room, meaning a talented player could slip through onto the waiver wire. Johnson had four touchdowns last season in limited work, two of which came in a Week 2 tilt. He closed out the season on a high note with 88 receiving yards, so there is some potential there—in contrast, Benson had zero career receptions with the Broncos prior to his trade.
Green Bay Packers : Malik Heath
The Packers have a gluttony of talented young receivers, but there simply aren’t enough roster spaces for all of them. One such player could be Heath. Heath would be a perfect fit in Detroit: he can block, he can be physical, and he can play well on special teams. His receiving potential is could be expanded in a talented Lions offense.
Houston Texans : John Metchie III
The Texans are one of the brightest young teams in the NFL, but they are packed at receiver and could be forced to part ways with some talent. Metchie is not a prototypical outside receiver at 5-foot-11 and 186 pounds, but he makes due thanks to route running and swiftness. He could be one of the prizes of the waiver wire come cutdown day—Detroit might be wise to toss a draft pick Houston’s way to get ahead of waivers.
Indianapolis Colts : D.J. Montgomery
Montgomery’s chances of making the Colts roster largely depend on the health of All-Pro special teamer Ashton Dulin or the trade status of Alec Pierce. Montgomery seems destined to be cut given the receivers ahead of him on the depth chart, but he has played well enough to warrant consideration for their practice squad—and possibly Detroit’s active roster. I considered putting Pierce on this list instead, but I think the Colts will hold onto him amid other receiver injuries.
Jacksonville Jaguars : Tim Jones
Jones’ career stat line of 14 catches for 113 yards in two seasons is far from impressive, but he does the dirty work that the Lions coaching staff would love. He is a good blocker and one of the better wideouts on special teams out there. He would be comparable to KhaDarel Hodge from a few seasons ago: he won’t blow away opponents on offense, but he can make due in a pinch. Plus, the Lions offense would offer ample opportunity to top his career stats.
Kansas City Chiefs : Cornell Powell
Powell’s 64-yard touchdown against the Lions last week might not be enough to secure himself a spot with the Chiefs, but it might have Detroit paying attention. Powell has been with Kansas City since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft , but he has played in just three games with zero stats to show for it. Having been shuffled on and off the practice squad his entire career, Detroit would provide an opportunity for a stable roster spot.
Las Vegas Raiders : Jalen Guyton
The Raiders are not a good roster, so taking the scraps from them is unlikely to yield much success. That being said, Guyton is a good mix of veteran experience and home-run ability. Guyton missed most of 2022 with an ACL injury, while his 2023 season was abbreviated as his recovery progressed. When at full health, he can be a game changer with his speed.
Los Angeles Chargers : Cornelius Johnson
The Chargers drafted three receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft, but the final one is looking like a safe bet to miss the roster. Johnson is more of a project than a finished product, but the Michigan Wolverine has a well-rounded skill ceiling with size, quickness, hands, and blocking. He just needs to put it all together.
Los Angeles Rams : Tyler Johnson
The Rams have a great track record of turning mid-round receivers into gems, but there does not appear to be such a player to be poached this year—Jordan Whittington has already made a positive impact so far. Instead, we turn our attention to a former Tampa Bay Buccaneer. Johnson is reportedly playing well this summer, though his preseason numbers do not reflect it (two catches for 30 yards).
Miami Dolphins : Erik Ezukanma
The Dolphins could be another team parting ways with a recent draft pick due to a deep receiving corps. Ezukanma has just one catch to his name as a pro, yet his versatility could be enticing for multiple teams. He can play any wideout position, and he can even sprinkle in some work out of the backfield. He led the Dolphins with 65 receiving yards in their second preseason game, which may have made it harder for Miami to cut him.
Minnesota Vikings : Jeshaun Jones
Scoring a 71-yard touchdown in preseason as an undrafted rookie will always garner attention, but Jones’ play in camp has him in consideration for a role with the Vikings. The unfortunate reality is that the Vikings have had multiple receivers stand out in camp, including Trent Sherfield, Trishton Jackson, and Thayer Thomas. The path to the roster might be too steep for Jones, but he could be an option worth poaching.
New England Patriots : Tyquan Thornton
JuJu Smith-Schuster is an option for the Lions after being released by the Patriots, but looking solely at players on their roster, the name that stands out the most to me is Tyquan Thornton. Thornton is another recent high draft pick, being selected 50th overall in 2022. However, Thornton has struggled to see the field despite a lackluster Patriots receiving corps. After drafting two receivers in their new post-Bill Belichick era, the new regime might not be as tied to him (though de facto general manager Eliot Wolf was among the staff that drafted Thornton).
New Orleans Saints : Mason Tipton
Tipton had some hype as an undrafted rookie this past spring, and in the early days of camp, he was impressing. Unfortunately, he has been sidelined with a hamstring injury and has yet to take part in a preseason tilt. These early reps are important for rookies trying to make an impact, and if Tipton falls out of contention, Detroit might be a viable spot to develop him.
New York Giants : Isaiah Hodgins
Hodgins looked like a hidden gem for the Giants during their 2022 playoff run, recording 351 receiving yards in eight games after being picked up from the Bills off waivers. He turned in a 105-yard Wild Card performance against the Vikings, but Hodgins would never again reach those highs. He never exceeded 40 yards in a game last year, finishing the season with just 230 yards as an afterthought on offense. Hodgins has had great moments, so perhaps a move from a woeful Giants offense to an elite Lions offense could rekindle his game. The Lions got a close look at Hodgins during their week of joint practices.
New York Jets : Jason Brownlee
Another instance of a receiver with a good summer getting boxed out by the numbers game. Brownlee is stuck behind three veterans and three special teamers, meaning he has little room advance up the depth chart. He has frequently flashed as a receiver in training camp and could be an under-the-radar player to claim if he gets cut.
Philadelphia Eagles : Joseph Ngata
The Eagles are in a similar position as the Lions in that there is a significant drop-off between their starting and backup receivers. They are staring down the barrel of a four-man receiving corps of A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, returner Britain Covey, and rookie Johnny Wilson. Parris Campbell is a known name to many, but I think Ngata could be the player worth monitoring. Ngata exploded in the Eagles’ second preseason game, catching five passes for 88 yards. His PFF grade of 83.9 was also an impressive mark.
Pittsburgh Steelers : Dez Fitzpatrick
Fitzpatrick is another young size-speed receiver who has yet to see success in the NFL, so he is more of a dart throw than a true solution for the Lions. That being said, his preseason PFF grade of 85.9 across two games is nothing to scoff at. If he can string together another good preseason outing, he might just sneak onto the Steelers roster.
San Francisco 49ers : Ronnie Bell
The 49ers will likely part ways with at least one of Bell or Danny Gray, but of the former draft picks, Bell catches my eye more. Bell has disappointed in preseason thus far, catching just four of his 10 targets and struggling with drops. However, he had a great preseason last year, including a 114-yard game. Reports out of camp is that he is doing well in practice, but it might not be enough to save him from waivers.
Seattle Seahawks : Dareke Young
While it would be fun to reunite Hayden Hatten with his twin Hogan on the Lions, the best target from the Seahawks is probably Young. Young missed most of the 2023 season with an abductor injury, so the 2021 seventh rounder has yet to make a mark during the regular season. He has four traits the Lions want out of a depth receiver—size, speed, blocking, and special teams—and another strong preseason has him vying for a spot on the Seahawks roster. With an athletic profile like this , he would be an intriguing option.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers : Cody Thompson
The Buccaneers do not have many options that stand out. If I had to pick someone, it would be Cody Thompson. The 28-year-old was with the Seahawks for four years, but 2024 marks his best chance at making a roster. He had a solid preseason outing against the Jaguars, recording 66 yards on five catches and a touchdown while also adding a pair of carries. I think the upside is limited, but the Lions need someone to step up. Thompson has done so for the Buccaneers.
Tennessee Titans : Treylon Burks
Like the Buccaneers, I am not keen on most of the Titans’ potential available receivers. I tried to stay away from making big trades, but Burks is the only realistic option I see from the Titans. The former first rounder has been a major disappointment for the Titans, battling injury and inconsistency in his first two seasons. The Titans will likely part with Burks at some point in the next few years barring a massive 2024 campaign. Should Detroit make an offer enticing enough, perhaps a new start with the Lions offense could be the fix he needs. What that offer would entail, however, remains unclear.
Washington Commanders : Brycen Tremayne
Tremayne is another big-bodied receiver on the roster bubble, though he does not possess the speed of some of the other names on this list. He makes up for it on special teams, boasting the ability to play multiple positions, including gunner and personal protector. He has been impressing in camp and is a dark horse for the Commanders roster, but if he doesn’t make the cut, he could be a depth option for Detroit.