Detroit Lions Preseason Questions: Where Do They Stand Now?

The Receiving Corps

Oct 20, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Kris Durham (18) gets past Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Terence Newman (23) during the first quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Last April when the draft rolled around, many around Detroit were calling for the Lions to select a wide receiver as early as the second round. However, the Lions didn’t address this need until Day 3 of the draft, when they selected Corey Fuller out of Virginia Tech. He has been on the practice squad all season.

While “vanilla playcalling” may have been to blame in the preseason, the concerns of who would step up as a playmaker opposite Calvin Johnson have never been more vocal. While Nate Burleson stepped up the first few games of the season, Ryan Broyles spent time continuing to strengthen his surgically repaired knee. When Burleson went down because of the famous pizza incident, Broyles was expected to step up. Perhaps expectations were too high, as he caught just 8 passes for 84 yards before suffering his third season ending injury in as many years.

Kris Durham has been a pleasant surprise, showing improvement from game to game. Drops have plagued him at times, but he’s become a serviceable complement on the outside to Calvin Johnson.

Some believed Patrick Edwards could be a diamond in the rough, but he played in just four games before being waived and eventually signed to the practice squad.

The addition of Reggie Bush has made a clear impact in the way defenses defend the Detroit passing attack, and rookie undrafted free agent Joseph Fauria has been a pleasant surprise as a redzone target.

The Lions struggles to find more weapons were evident enough that speculation was made that Detroit may make a move via trade. Though multiple reports surfaced, nothing was ever seriously considered.