Lions 2024 draft: A wide receiver for every round

Mitchell appears the most likely wideout to simultaneously be available for the Lions and tickle their scouting fancy. Brian Thomas from LSU is a better prospect and better fit, but it seems quite unlikely Thomas is still on the board at No. 29.

The recent profile and scouting report on Mitchell breaks it all down. Bottom line: Mitchell has high-end potential but some legit drawbacks that could hinder his ability to reach his athletic ceiling in the NFL.

What I like:

–Physicality before and after the catch

–Wide frame at 6-foot-1 and 221 pounds

–Exceptional transition from receiver to runner

–Showed improvement in urgency at making breaks late in his career

–Just 2 drops in 97 targets in 2023, catch rate when targeted of almost 75 percent

–Can get up and catch passes over and away from his frame

–Has some experience playing as a heavy slot option

–Above-average blocker who can create real movement when working inside as a blocker

Negatives:

–One year of high production after 33 total catches in three prior seasons

–Struggles to get off press coverage; would rather battle than get free and progress into the route

–Average wiggle to his movement in routes and after the catch

–Attention to detail on his footwork and timing on releases can be better

Legette would be a popular target for Lions fans who want to add size, physicality and YAC ability.

There’s a cluster of Day 2 wideouts who fit the Lions’ profile and needs, and some got left on the cutting room floor. Among them: Roman Wilson, Michigan; Ricky Piersall, Florida; Keon Coleman, Florida State. They all fit for the Lions’ second- and third-round picks, too–probably in that order. I opted for Polk here because I strongly believe the Lions like him:

What I like with Polk:

–Length (6-foot-2) and play strength on the outside

–Very good hands to secure the catch through contact

–Good at catching the ball away from his frame and in traffic

–One of the best in the class at tracking the ball in the air

–Very good at making the first tackler miss, or at least need some help to get Polk to the ground

–Experience working route trees from different alignments

–Understands how to be a complementary piece and not a featured target (working with Rome Odunze)

Negatives

–Average play speed and acceleration off the line

–Got a lot of clean releases out of Washington’s trips formations

–Not a twitchy or explosive athlete

–DBs with speed can recover against him deep

Polk gets overshadowed from playing with Rome Odunze (top 10 pick) and Jalen McMillan (Top 100 prospect), but he’s a very good downfield target with size and YAC ability. He’s the prospect here who is most like Josh Reynolds in terms of role fit and overall ability.

What I like:

–Very easy and dynamic speed for an almost 6-foot-2 target

–Breakaway gear when getting a clean release

–Capable of making spectacular in-air adjustments to poorly thrown passes

–Not easy to bring down after the catch and will fight for every inch of YAC

–Improved his play strength from his final season at Kent State to his 2023 performance at North Carolina

Negatives:

–Very inconsistent route running footwork and timing

–Inexperienced with just 18 games started in college

–Struggled with tracking deeper throws; this was very evident during Senior Bowl practices

–Takes too many steps and gear changes to get from points A to B on his breaks

–Not a bad blocker but doesn’t always attack it on time

This is another case where the player is unlikely to be available in the listed round, but this is as early as I would personally consider selecting Walker. He’s certainly feasible as a Lions target in the late second round. Detroit has met with him at the Senior Bowl, combine, pro day and pre-draft visit.

What I like:

–Very impressive all-around athlete

–Exceptional play strength for his size and frame (6-foot-2, a lean 198)

–Quickly picked up route-running nuances and intricacy after switching from quarterback

–Offers positional versatility as a slot, halfback and gadget-play QB, plus return specialist potential

–Sets up releases and routes with great footwork and deceptive body control on his fakes

–Makes arm tackle attempts after the catch look foolish

Negatives:

–Only played WR for two seasons

–Blocking technique and strength are underdeveloped

–Didn’t face much future NFL competition in coverage and wasn’t as dynamic when he did (Senior Bowl)

–While it improved the more he played, still tends to only have one speed on his routes

Christian McCaffrey’s brother and Ed McCaffrey’s son played three years of quarterback at Nebraska and then Rice before switching to wideout. His positional inexperience does show, but McCaffrey’s rapid development has an encouraging ceiling for a 23-year-old.

What I like:

–Very explosive athlete (1.52-second 10-yard split, 39.5″ vertical, 11-foot broad jump) and it shows on film

–Well-muscled 201 pounds on his 6-foot-1 frame

–Can catch the ball away from his frame and shows very good ball tracking skills

–Twitchy, balanced change-of-direction at full speed for a bigger wideout

–Lit up Kansas State in his one meeting vs. FBS-level competition in 2023

-High-end football character and competitiveness

Negatives:

–Big jump from FCS-level competition

–Got away with overpowering coverage more than winning with skill and precision

–Guilty of superfluous steps and motion in his routes

–Wasn’t always aggressive enough in contested catch situations

Flournoy is one of the top FCS prospects in this draft and showed viable NFL athleticism and upside during Senior Bowl week. Earns bonus “grit” points for special teams and rave-worthy football character. Development is needed as a route runner and all-around offensive player, however.

What I like:

–Very explosive athlete (42.5″ vertical, 1.52-second 10-yard split) with an NFL frame at 6-foot-1 and 208 pounds

–Jump-ball, red zone and contested-catch specialist as an outside receiver

–Very physical blocker; could be mistaken for a tight end in his blocking

–Proved himself nicely in postseason all-star games

–Works his way back to the quarterback well on routes and presents himself as a big target

Negatives:

–Lacks long speed and doesn’t have an extra gear

–Faced lower level of competition and didn’t have prolific production

–Has to learn to get off jams

–Did have some focus-related drops in college

–Below-average foot frequency and lateral agility in his routes

Coker really helped himself on the postseason all-star circuit, and he’s a willing physical presence on the outside. He could emerge as a red zone and short-yardage specialist with some upside as a late-rounder.