In advance of the 2024 season, the Detroit Lions’ greatest vulnerability has been exposed by…
Following last year’s frenetic race to the NFC Championship Game—possibly due to the Lions’ early arrival—and the addition of top players by Holmes and his staff over the previous three NFL Drafts, there is genuine excitement in the Motor City for the 2024 season.
But even with the massive contract extension that pays quarterback Jared Goff $53 million a season, the Lions might still have a huge hole to fill.
According to Schatz, an ESPN writer, “Amon-Ra St. Brown is a star and was worthy of his recent huge contract extension.” However, the Lions are relying heavily on optimism in the wake of St. Brown. With just 24 catches in the previous season, Jameson Williams posted a negative DVOA. The organization is hoping that Williams can finally realize his potential as a primary outside receiver. Although Kalif Raymond was an average starting receiver with higher usage in 2021 and 2022, he produced a 37.4% DVOA on 44 targets last year. Donovan Peoples-Jones didn’t stick out for Detroit last season despite having shockingly strong advanced metrics in Cleveland.
Beyond those three receivers are Tom Kennedy, a guy who has spent years on and off the Lions practice squad, and Antoine Green, a 2023 seventh-round pick who is a free agent. A seasoned free agency receiver like Michael Thomas who is still available would make a fantastic addition to this team.
In addition to field stretchers like St. Brown and Jameson Williams, Schatz argues that Thomas, Hunter Renfrow, or even Mecole Hardman might step in and fill the vacuum as dependable possession receivers.
