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2021 NFL Draft: Teams that should consider wide receiver early

By Christopher Thomas

2021 NFL Draft prospects DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
2021 NFL Draft prospects DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Lions, 2021 NFL Draft
Detroit Lions (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Detriot Lions

This offseason, the Detroit Lions have completely blown up their previous regime. Since their season ended, they have hired a new head coach in Dan Campbell and a new general manager in Brad Holmes. On top of that, they traded away their starting quarterback for the last 12 years Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for a compensatory third-round pick in 2021, 2022 first-round pick, 2023 first-round pick, and former first overall pick Jared Goff.

There is no team in the NFL that has a bigger need at wide receiver than the Detriot Lions. Three of Detroit’s top wide receivers have hit the market in free agency. Within the first week of free agency former Pro Bowl receiver Kenny Golladay signed with the New York Giants, Marvin Jones Jr. signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Danny Amendola is still available.

Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions /

Detroit Lions

In order to replace them, Detroit has signed Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman to one-year deals. Williams and Perriman are talented players but are not players that should be relied upon in the passing game to be a team’s best options at wide receivers.

The Lions are in need of a true number one receiver. Detroit is expected to take a wide receiver earlier in the 2021 NFL Draft. They need a playmaker on the outside who can demand attention from opposing defenses. It would be great for the receiver to be able to stretch the field. If that was the case it would take a safety out of the box to open things up for 2020 second-round pick D’Andre Swift or open things up for talented young tight end T.J. Hockenson in the middle of the field.

But it wouldn’t be shocking for the Lions to target a slot receiver as well. Both Williams and Perriman are considered outside deep threats. Also, new offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn’s offense in Los Angeles featured receiver was a Pro Bowl slot receiver named Keenan Allen.

Wide Receiver options for the Detriot Lions from the 2021 NFL Draft:

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