If the Lions chose the wrong year to be looking for a quarterback in the draft, they chose the right one to be searching for a receiver. Same goes for free agency.
Detroit is desperate for more playmakers on the outside, and the draft is full of them: USC's Drake London, Arkansas' Treylon Burks and Alabama's Jameson Williams to name a few. Throw in the Ohio State duo of Garrett Wilson and Chis Olave, and as many as five receivers could go in the first round.
The free agent market, assuming Davante Adams stays in Green Bay, will be headlined by Chris Godwin of the Bucs and Mike Williams of the Chargers, both of whom are coming off 1,000-yard seasons. Christian Kirk of the Cardinals is coming off a career year of his own, while Allen Robinson of the Bears and D.J. Chark of the Jaguars are intriguing buy-low candidates.
With three of the first 34 picks in the draft and money to spend in free agency, the Lions are in position to provide some much-needed artillery for Jared Goff and a passing attack that ranked 27th in the NFL last season in yards per attempt.
"Our efficiency on offense is going to be big," Dan Campbell said Tuesday from the combine. "It is. Anytime you can add a piece or a weapon on the perimeter, particularly, that’s going to help him and it will help us. So that’s one of the things that we’d like to do, whether it’s free agency or the draft, and we’ll keep our eyes open. But there again, it’s gotta be the right guy and the right fit for us."
Lions wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El has already asked the front office to add three receivers this offseason, ideally two in the draft and one in free agency. At the top of his wishlist: a playmaker. The Lions produced just five passing plays of 40-plus yards last season -- two of which went to running back D'Andre Swift -- tied for last in the NFL.
Lions GM Brad Holmes on Tuesday identified wide receiver as one of the positions of strength in the draft, without delving into the details. In free agency, he did say Detroit will be more aggressive than last year with "more resources available to us."
"We’re not just searching for one-year deal guys," said Holmes. "I’m not saying that we won’t sign a guy on a one-year deal, that’ll still be in play, but I guess you can say the universe is a lot more open to us this year.”
With more weapons on the outside, their playbook should be, too.