Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell hinted that the team may be interested in drafting a receiver this year.
The Detroit Lions have a strong core of wide receivers as they enter the 2025 season. Amon-Ra St. Brown is a two-time All-Pro who is signed through the 2028 season. Jameson Williams has blossomed into a 1,000-yard receiver, Tim Patrick is back after being the most reliable X receiver the team has had under Dan Campbell, and Kalif Raymond is a versatile depth who has played at an All-Pro level as a returner.
During his breakfast media session at the NFL owners meetings Tuesday, Campbell said he is very happy with how that room has filled out.
“Love that group. Love that group, but we were fortunate that we got out last year, during the season, for the most part, unscathed, as far as injuries and things of that nature,” Campbell said. “That group, TP, Leaf, obviously Saint and Jamo, those guys that we’ve got have been big for us.”
That said, Campbell did mention there is one thing that room could really use: youth.
“We would love to bring in more competition, particularly some youth. That would help, and let them all mix it up. Get in there and see where it all falls,” Campbell said.
Between these comments and general manager Brad Holmes saying on Monday that they aren’t ready to commit to Williams long-term —partially due to the price of the position—it isn’t hard to read between the lines. Drafting a wide receiver is very much on the table for the Lions as soon as this year.
In general, the Lions don’t tie themselves to immediate needs in the NFL, but rather to a longer vision and plan in place. And while St. Brown is locked up long-term, Patrick and Raymond are in the final years of their contracts, and even after the Lions eventually activate Williams’ fifth-year option, he’ll only be under contract for the next two seasons.
In our latest 2025 NFL mock draft roundup, two first-round receivers were slotted to the Lions: Arizona’s Tetairo McMillan and Missouri’s Luther Burden. If you’re looking for other receivers to familiarize yourself with in this year’s draft class, check out our WR winners from the NFL Combine and our Combine press conference recaps of the receivers .