When analyzing the Detroit Lions roster, one glaring weak spot is wide receiver. Specifically, the Lions need a wide receiver who can stretch the field.
Heading into the offseason, plenty of people mentioned Chris Godwin, Mike Williams, and Allen Robinson as potential fits but I argued (as I have many times before) that it would not be wise to overpay for any of those three.
Well, Godwin and Williams are both off of the board as they will be returning to Tampa Bay and the Los Angeles Chargers for the 2022 season.
Robinson does not have much speed and he does not create separation, which would make it very hard for me to pay what would likely be $16 million/year or so.
That being said, here are three wide receivers who are vertical threats and would not break the bank. (Comments via Pro Football Focus)
Christian Kirk
VERTICAL SLOT THREAT: Kirk has averaged nearly half a receiving yard more in the slot than he has out wide over the course of his career. His best fit is with a team looking for a slot receiver who can help stretch the field, but there are few better quarterbacks out there who will provide him with better downfield opportunities than Kyler Murray.
3 yrs — $14m avg/yr
D.J. Chark
DEEP THREAT/NO. 3 RECEIVER: Chark has speed to burn and an excellent frame to give defensive backs all kinds of problems at the catch point or if he can gain any separation in his route. He has speed to run away from defenders after the catch but struggles to set up corners or win against physicality. His speed should always be valuable and a team like New Orleans could use that threat.
2 yrs — $12.5m avg/yr
Will Fuller
DEEP THREAT/NO. 3 RECEIVER: Will Fuller is the ultimate receiver tease in the NFL. An elite deep threat who immediately makes every offense he is on better, he can’t stay on the field. Almost every offense in the NFL should be interested if the price is right, but they need to expect he will miss time, and that’s a gamble many teams want no part of.
1 yrs — $7m avg/yr
Nation, which of these three wide receivers do you prefer?
