Detroit Lions Depth Chart: WR Terrence Toliver

The Depth Chart series on Side Lion Report takes a closer look at some of the football players who may go unnoticed on the Detroit Lions depth chart. Be sure to follow this series if you are interested in learning about some of the lesser known players that the Lions are bringing to training camp on July 23.

Terrence Toliver

Height: 6-5

Weight: 206

Age: 24

Born: May 7, 1988

College: LSU

Position: WR

Jersey #: 19

SLR Says:

Terrence Toliver has no chance at making the Detroit Lions 53-man roster. You could argue that the wide receiver position is what the Lions have the most depth at, which means someone has to be the odd man out when it comes time to trim the roster at the end of the preseason exhibition games. Let’s face it, the Lions are too deep at the position with Calvin Johnson, Titus Young, Nate Burleson, and Ryan Broyles (2012 NFL Draft, Round 2, Pick 54) already in place to take a majority of the snaps for the Lions offense this season. Detroit will have a tough job deciding who will be the fifth wide receiver because Stefan Logan, Nate Hughes, Maurice Stovall, and undrafted rookie free agent Patrick Edwards all bring more to the table for the Lions than anything that Toliver has to offer skill-wise.

According to experts, Toliver has the physical make-up of an elite NFL wide receiver with his large 6-5 frame, but he lacks the knowledge of the position to become a serviceable wide out in this league. At best, Toliver is a project player that the Detroit Lions can stash away on its practice squad with the hope that veterans such as Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson can show Terrence how to succeed in the NFL.

The Lions, and the Houston Texans, used Toliver as a practice squad player last season—Toliver’s rookie year. However, the Lions would be wasting a roster spot on its 2012 practice squad if Toliver is given a spot at the end of the preseason exhibition games. There are better wide recievers who went undrafted in the 2012 NFL Draft—e.g. Patrick Edwards—that the Lions could stash away on the practice squad and groom to become something special in this league…down the road!

What the experts have to say:

NFLDraftScout.com:

"Draft Scout Snapshot: DS Rating on 9-1-10: #2 WR, #44/750 Overall, 2-32010: Played and started all 13 games for the Tigers, leading LSU in receiving with 41 catches for 579 yards and five touchdowns … Ended career with a bang, tying a Cotton Bowl record with a career-best three touchdown receptions in 41-24 win over Texas A&M … Named the most outstanding offensive player at the Cotton Bowl after catching five passes for 112 yards and three scores … Caught at least two passes in every game as a senior … Had best game of regular season in win at Florida with six receptions for 111 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with six seconds left …2009: Had his most productive season at LSU with 47 catches for 654 yards and three touchdowns … Played in 12 games with 11 starts … Only game in which he didn’t start came vs. Louisiana-Lafayette when the Tigers opened in a two tight end set … Ranked second on team and sixth in the SEC with 3.92 catches per game … Also second on squad in receiving yards with 54.5 a contest …2008: Played an important role in LSU’s 3-wide sets and saw action in all 13 games with starts versus Auburn and Ole Miss … Recorded 22 catches for 257 yards and one touchdown on the year …2007: Saw action in all 14 games with two starts in 2007… Caught 10 passes for 249 yards and three touchdowns … Named to the SEC All-Freshman Team … Recorded his first career 100-yard receiving game versus Louisiana Tech, hauling in three passes for 119 yards and a touchdown."

ESPN.com (Todd McShay in 2011):

"Inconsistent but with a solid overall skill set, Toliver is looking to show scouts his inconsistency of the past two seasons was largely a product of poor quarterback play."

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