The Detroit Lions and The Great Wide Receiver Conundrum
By Mike Payton
2009
| Player | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Touchdowns |
| Bryant Johnson | 35 | 417 | 3 |
| Derrick Williams | 6 | 52 | 0 |
| Yamon Figurs | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| John Standeford | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Total | 43 | 481 | 3 |
| Houston Texans, minus Andre Johnson | |||
| 136 | 1,588 | 12 |
Matthew Stafford’s rookie year had it’s fair share of nice moments. Like the teams first win after the 0-16 season or Stafford’s first big comeback moment against the Cleveland Browns. However, 2009 likely left you asking the question “who is Yamon Figurs?”
While Bryant Johnson didn’t have too bad of a year, the problem is that he was the Lions number two guy at receiver. Derrick Williams was a guy that had a great freshmen season at Penn State, But never duplicated that success later on in his college career. Thought to be a steal on draft day, Williams wound up recording 9 receptions for 82 yards in his entire NFL career.
The Lions get a small pass here based on the fact that their rebuilding effort was still in its infancy. None of these receivers went on to have productive careers and not one of them remains in the NFL today.
Next: 2010