5 free agent wide receivers who would make sense for the Detroit Lions

If the Lions want to sign a wide receiver, these five free agents make sense.

The Detroit Lions did not choose a wide receiver this year, despite widespread belief that there was a gap to fill following Josh Reynolds’ departure. They have struck to terms with two undrafted rookie receivers (Isaiah Williams and Jalon Calhoun), who may be able to come in and win a roster place, but it’s a coin flip if either will.

So it’s clear to see the need to sign an experienced receiver, and it seems very conceivable if a fit can be found.

Throughout free agency, there has been speculation that Odell Beckham Jr. would be a good match for the Lions. However, this viewpoint ignores, if not openly disregards, Beckham Jr. would need a personality transplant to be a good culture fit in Detroit. The Lions value their culture and how players fit into it as much as, if not more than, a player’s talent.

Beckham did seem to embrace a less-significant role last year with the Ravens, and he was somewhat effective at times (a career-best 16.1 yards per catch, a top-35 overall grade from Pro Football Focus).

But let’s shift the subject to free agency wide receivers who are better fits for the Lions than Beckham.

5 free agent wide receivers who would make sense for the Detroit Lions.

5. Allen Robinson.

Robinson, who will turn 31 on August 24, is a shell of the player he once was with the Chicago Bears and the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite appearing in all 17 games and 72 percent of the Steelers’ offensive snaps last season, he only recorded 34 catches for 280 yards. With the opportunity to free up significant contract space, he was an easy offseason cut.

4. Marquez Valdes-Scantling

Valdez-Scantling has only reached 40 catches once in six NFL seasons, despite catching passes from two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks (Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes).

3. DJ Chark.

In 2022, the Lions signed Chark to a one-year contract with the hopes that he would be the “X” receiver their offense desperately needed. It took slightly longer than planned, owing primarily to the return of a previous ankle ailment that cost him six games in the midst of the season. But late in the season, he delivered, averaging 0.8 yards per catch and three 90-yard games between Weeks 13 and 17. It’s not a surprise that the Lions won a bunch of games once he returned to action late in the 2022 season.

2. Zay Jones.

The Jaguars have restructured its wide receiver corps this offseason, and with depth in place, Jones was released earlier this week after two years on a three-year, $24 million contract. During his first season in Jacksonville, he achieved career highs in catches (82) and yards (823), but last season was plagued by injuries (nine games played) and an arrest for misdemeanor domestic assault in December.

1) Tyler Boyd.

Boyd is easily the best free agent wide receiver available, and possibly the best free agent still available at any position. The Lions allegedly showed some early interest in him, but allegations of a high asking price ($9 million per year?) may have turned them off, as it appears to have done for many other clubs.