Last season, the Detroit Lions’ passing attack was among the best in the league because to the combination of sensational rookie tight end Sam LaPorta and shifty receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
An insider speculates that the squad may add another potent weapon in the coming weeks. According to Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports, the Lions will select Ladd McConkey, a wide receiver out of Georgia, in this month’s NFL Draft, gaining one of the top receiver prospects and a valuable addition to St. Brown.
“How about Ben Johnson and Co. deploying another clever divider in Detroit? Trapasso projected that McConkey and St. Brown would have a great time with the Lions.
Despite Lance Zierlein of NFL.com projecting McConkey as a second-round selection, the Lions own the No. 29 overall pick and might not pass up his skill and athleticism combo. In the 40-yard sprint, McConkey tied for the sixth-best time among receiving prospects with a timing of 4.39.
Zierlein complimented McConkey’s body control and footwork, stating that he has a “advanced feel for leverage” and the top-end speed to outrun cornerbacks.
“McConkey’s 2023 injuries may have slowed the draft discourse, but his athleticism, route polish, and capacity to uncover during the first two levels may position him as a valuable slot receiver for a Day 2 selection,” Zierlein wrote.
Scouts have also given McConkey positive ratings; one league scouting director informed Zierlein that McConkey works very hard in the film room.
The director of scouting called them “really smart.” “The amount of tape he watches is evident in his ability to quickly identify how to attack opponents.”
Lions Have a Wide Receiver Opening
When veteran Josh Reynolds signed a free agent contract to play for the Denver Broncos, the Lions lost some significant contributions from their wide receiving corps. According to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, Reynolds accepted a two-year contract for up to $14 million, costing quarterback Jared Goff a reliable and accustomed target.
“With 608 yards and five touchdowns on 40 catches, Reynolds was the Lions’ third-leading receiver last season,” Birkett wrote. “He played with Goff with the Los Angeles Rams from 2017 to 2021, and he was a midseason addition to the Lions in 2021 after the Tennessee Titans claimed him off waivers.”
After two cut seasons, the Lions will probably expect to third-year wide receiver Jameson Williams to step up to a bigger role. After recovering from an injury that kept him out of action for most of his rookie season, he was suspended for the first four games of the 2023 campaign for breaking the league’s gambling regulations.
Williams established himself as one of the team’s most potent deep threats by finishing the season with 24 catches for 354 yards and two touchdowns. Williams needed three carries for 29 rushing yards and a touchdown, but the Lions also devised various schemes to get the ball into the hands of the speedster.
The Lions have already assembled other components of their passing scheme. With 86 receptions for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns in his second season, LaPorta is expected to maintain his significant role in the passing game, particularly in the red zone.
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