ESPN analyst's recent declaration involving the Chicago Bears might be wildest yet
No. 3: Detroit Lions
It's funny that when you look at the NFC North, the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers fall to the bottom two spots for me at the receiver position, while both teams have very good offenses. This goes to show you that you don't always need top talent at the receiving position to succeed. Instead, a competent play-caller paired with a decent quarterback (still hoping Love regresses) is usually good enough. The Chicago Bears had an awful play-caller last year and although I like Justin Fields, I expect Caleb Williams to be much better as a passer.
Depth Chart:
WR1: Amon-Ra St. Brown
WR2: Jameson Williams
WR3: Kalif Raymond
WR4: Daurice Fountain
WR5: Donovan Peoples-Jones
WR6: Who knows
TE1: Sam LaPorta
TE2: Brock Wright
Amon-Ra St. Brown
St. Brown is a stud. I can't stand hearing him bash the Chicago Bears, but he has the record to back it up. St. Brown finished with 1,515 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns last year. It should be pointed out that St. Brown had 48 more receiving yards than the top two receivers for Green Bay (Reed and Doubs) combined. He's easily the second or third-best receiver in the division.
Jameson Williams
It appears that Jameson Williams cannot get out of his own way. His rookie season was delayed because of injury and last year, he was suspended due to violating the league's sports betting policies. If he can remain on the field all year, Williams is easily the third receiving option on the roster. I had a very high grade on him coming out of college and I expect him to become one of the better receivers in the division. He only had 42 targets last year, finishing with 354 yards and two touchdowns. I'd take him over every Packers' WR except Jayden Reed and Romeo Doubs.
Sam LaPorta
Another player I was big on coming out of college was Sam LaPorta. He continued to prove that Iowa is truly "Tight End University". LaPorta was dominant in his rookie season, finishing with 889 yards and 10 touchdowns. It saddens me to say that as a big Cole Kmet fan/supporter, LaPorta is easily the top tight end in the division, and Kmet is unfortunately not second either.
The Rest
If you want to look at the rest of the Lions' receiving options, no one is really going to jump out at you. Josh Reynolds is no longer with the team or he'd be the WR3. Instead, the team is going to lean on Kalif Raymond. Raymond is a UDFA out of Holy Cross. He's a journeyman who has been with five teams over his eight-year career. Behind him are Daurice Fountain and Donovan Peoples-Jones -- two receivers who never amounted to much. The name that surprises me is Tre'Quan Smith. Smith had a fairly productive start to his career with the Saints.
Final Thoughts:
The main reason I don't have the Detroit Lions higher, despite having the top tight end and easily a top-3 wide receiver in the division, is because those behind them have yet to prove themselves or have proven to be mediocre at best. I'm a little surprised the Lions didn't look to add a more established third option at receiver this offseason, or maybe a draft pick prior to Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft.