Detroit Lions: Making the case to sign Dorial Green-Beckham

Signing Dorial Green-Beckham comes with its risks. And the Detroit Lions are already taking one themselves by trusting the depth they have at wide receiver.

When Calvin Johnson retired early from the Detroit Lions, it sent shock waves throughout the NFL. It especially hit home the hardest with Lions’ fans. Dorial Green-Beckham is no Megatron, but physically, he is the closest player to him.

Currently a free agent, Green-Beckham makes for an intriguing option for any team looking for wide receiver help. Outside of Golden Tate and Marvin Jones Jr., there is no one too convincing on the Lions’ roster. Standing at 6-foot-5, and weighing in at 237 pounds, the current free agents’ measurables are nearly identical to Johnson’s when he played.

The former second round pick, who was dumped by his second team, in just his second season, is far from what Megatron was mentally. His character concerns date back to his college days at the University of Missouri and the University of Oklahoma. The offenses he committed were drug related, and he was even investigated for burglary and assault on a woman.

Since entering the NFL, he has stayed out of trouble. His below-average work ethic, poor decision-making and inconsistent play is alarming.

Taking a chance on Green-Beckham now is far less risky. Financially, he would essentially cost close to nothing. Cut him and move on if he gets into legal trouble again or if he just can’t play at a high enough level.

There’s no foul in the Lions looking to add competition to its wide receiver core. The only harm they could do is think they are completely set at the wide receiver position and do nothing else to improve it.

A lot is riding on the depth they currently have to succeed. If the Lions are willing to take a chance on the receivers behind their top two options, why should there be any problem experimenting with Green-Beckham?

What baffles me is the fact the Tennessee Titans and Philadelphia Eagles were so quick to give up on him. 68 receptions, 941 yards, six touchdowns and zero fumbles for two different teams, in two years, is nothing to dismiss. He has also been medically available, only missing one game last season.

Another shot is all Green-Beckham needs. He is a ticking time bomb set to go off. Determining when or if he goes off as a criminal or as a player is unpredictable.

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It may feel unsettling to give him an opportunity to make the roster, but the potential rewards the Lions could reap from him is worth the gamble. Worse things could happen.