The Detroit Lions and The Great Wide Receiver Conundrum

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2013

Player Receptions Receiving Yards Touchdowns
Kris Durham 38 490 2
Kevin Ogletree 13 199 1
Nate Burleson 39 461 1
Patrick Edwards 5 46 0
Ryan Broyles 8 85 0
Total 103 1,281 4
Denver Broncos, minus Deymarius Thomas
176 2,266 24

The 2013 Detroit Lions were a special breed. The excitement surrounding this season was palpable. The Lions started out 5-3 and looked in control of the NFC North. Then I took a quick nap, woke up and the Lions were 7-9.

Nate Burleson went on a late night pizza run and all of a sudden the Lions offense can’t move the ball anymore. I’ll be the first guy to tell you that I was excited about Kevin Ogletree. I’ll also be the first guy to tell you that I was very wrong about Kevin Ogletree. Ryan Broyles healed up and immediately got injured again, Patrick Edwards didn’t live up to the hype, and the Lions were once again stuck relying on Kris Durham.

The Lions collapse somehow felt worse than the previous season. 2013 was a great example of how the Lions have had a hard time developing young wide receivers. 2014 was an even better example of that.

Next: 2014

Schedule