The Detroit Lions had a real receiver issue during training camp this year after not drafting or signing a receiver in the offseason. The real big miss was not bringing back Josh Reynolds after publicly talking about how they wanted him back.
Reynolds was a big part of the Lions offense in 2023. He had 40 catches for 608 yards and five touchdowns. The biggest part of that 40 catches was that 32 of them were for first downs. While the Lions couldn’t get him back, they talked about how they wanted to find a guy like him.
“We’re looking for – so much of it is, ‘Alright, who’s going to fill in for (Broncos WR) Josh Reynolds?” Lions head coach Dan Cmapbell said in August. “Who’s going to take that? Is it by committee or is there a guy that can – is going to step up and kind of become that for us?’ And so that’s kind of what we were looking for.”
The Lions didn’t make a move until after the cut down when they brought in Tim Patrick and Allen Robinson. Patrick has played 30 or more snaps in the last three games and so far he’s looking the part for the Lions. He’s had four catches this season and three of them have gone for first downs. Very Josh Reynolds like.
On Monday we got to see the most of him in the Lions pass game . He had two catches for 52 yards and looked like a giant out there. a giant that was hard to take down.
Going forward look for the Lions to keep using him more and more and maybe even in the red zone where he can high point the ball. I’m not saying get him on your fantasy team, but expect him to start getting targeted more as the year goes on.
I can’t forget to mention his blocking. He threw a beautiful block on Monday night. Judging by the Lions “no block, no rock” mentality, I’m sure that block got him at least one of those targets.