Indianapolis — The Detroit Lions aren’t hiding the fact they’re in the market for an outside receiver, a go-to option capable of consistently winning one-on-one, who can be counted on in those gotta-have-it situations on third down and in the red zone.
For the better part of the decade, Detroit had the league’s premier go-to guy in Calvin Johnson. And even the previous five seasons, Marvin Jones performed well enough in that role, catching 36 touchdowns during that stretch.
While Amon-Ra St. Brown exceeded all reasonable expectations in 2021, the team is clearly not sold on the idea the feisty, versatile receiver who broke the franchise’s rookie records for receptions and receiving yards can be that guy. So the Lions head into this offseason looking for that perceived missing piece on offense.
“Whether that’s a big guy, with a lot of strength and size, or whether that’s a guy with elite quickness or speed, I think it comes a number of different ways,” offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said. “But that’s what we’re looking for, is someone that outside the numbers, predominantly, can win a one-on-one. And if he’s good at his job, dictates coverage. So (defenses) recognize where he is at all times, and start rolling (coverage) his way, which will open us up for the run game and everything else inside. That’s really what we want.”
Obviously, free agency is one place to fill that void. Multiple No. 1 options are slated to be free agents, although a couple, particularly Green Bay’s Davante Adams, are expected to get the franchise tag ahead of hitting the open market.
Still, the Lions could pursue someone such as Chris Godwin, Mike Williams or Allen Robinson to bolster their corps. That said, there’s a strong argument to be made that committing significant resources to the receiver position isn’t logical at this stage in the franchise’s rebuild.
That leaves April’s draft as the prime source for a solution.
General manager Brad Holmes acknowledged he likes the position’s depth this year, but understandably wasn’t keen to reveal details about how he views the individual prospects. But as the team continues to sort its draft board, this week’s combine and the ensuing pro days are helping clarify their rankings.
It’s a near certainty a receiver won’t be in play with Detroit’s first pick, No. 2 overall, but could absolutely be in the mix with the No. 32 and No. 34 selections the team holds at the end of the first and top of the second rounds. Of course, much of that will depend on which talents are still on the board.
More: Detroit Lions 2022 scouting combine preview: Wide receivers
If it’s size the Lions want, USC’s Drake London sliding to them could make for an ideal match. A former dual-sport athlete who also played for USC’s basketball team, he goes up for 50/50 balls like a power forward grabbing a rebound.
The 6-foot-5, 210-pounder idolized Johnson growing up, while London compared his skill set to Mike Evans, Tampa Bay’s four-time Pro Bowler who has topped 1,000 yards each of his first eight seasons.
College teammates with St. Brown, London would welcome reconnecting in Detroit.
“Definitely a big brother right there,” London said. “I was blessed enough to get in a room with him when I was younger and be there with him for two years. So he’s definitely been in my ear, helping me through this process. I watched a lot of his games. For him to come up on the scene at the end was definitely something that he had to prove himself, and I’m happy he did.
“…That would be a cool (to be teammates in Detroit),” London said. “A blessing for sure to have something like that. Help me out with the locker room atmosphere and all that.”
One reason London could be in play is because he suffered a broken ankle last season. He only recently started running again and won’t participate in any of the combine drills, saving his workout for USC’s pro day.
An injury also could push Alabama’s Jameson Williams into reach for the Lions. He doesn’t possess London’s size, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a prospect with more speed in this draft class.
“I just know nobody can run with me,” Williams said, when asked to project how fast he would have run the 40-yard dash. “I just know nobody can run with me. Just say whatever the fastest 40 time here, I’m faster.”
The film would seem to back up Williams. He led the country in receptions of 50-plus yards last year and also returned multiple kickoffs for a touchdown. Unfortunately, he’s six weeks removed from surgery to repair a torn ACL, which is likely to limit his participation in an offseason program.
Georgia’s George Pickens also tore his ACL, but that was last March. He’s essentially back to full strength, returning to play the final four games for the national champions.
A potential first-rounder, who is more likely to come off the board in Day 2, Pickens’ physical playing style makes it easy to see him in a Lions uniform.
“Blocking has always been a part of the program, a part of the scheme of the team, and I’ve always been physical,” Pickens said. “That’s one of the things I can also add to my game besides pass catching and besides going deep. Blocking is for sure one of the things I pride myself on.
“…You either give the blow or you take it. If you can enforce your will, I’ll choose that.”
Pickens also brings size and quality production to the table. In 24 college games, he hauled in 90 passes for 1,347 yards and 14 touchdowns. Not wanting to be dependent on his size, he’s a prospect who places a heavy emphasis on his release at the line of scrimmage and he’s eager to use the combine to prove he’s faster than people think.
Purdue’s David Bell is in the same boat. After dominant sophomore and junior seasons, where he caught averaged 8.6 catches per game, he knows he has questions to answer about his athleticism.
“I think that’s a lot of things that teams want to see, is how fast I actually am,” Bell said.
Beyond the aforementioned names, there are several others who figure to be in the mix for Detroit in the early rounds, including the Ohio State tandem of Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, as well as Penn State’s Jahan Dotson.
Regardless of who it ends up being, whether via free agency or the draft, it’s clear based on comments from the coaching staff that the Lions are ready to take a big swing at receiver.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Justin_Rogers