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Detroit Lions, NFC North Position Rankings: Wide Receivers

By Jack Ozark

Dec 27, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Ford Field. Lions win 32-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Ford Field. Lions win 32-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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In part three of the offseason position rankings, we check in on the wide receivers for the Detroit Lions and the rest of their NFC North rivals.

Nov 6, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) is tackled by Detroit Lions linebacker Josh Bynes (57) during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Lions defeated the Vikings 22-16. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 6, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) is tackled by Detroit Lions linebacker Josh Bynes (57) during the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Lions defeated the Vikings 22-16. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Today we get into the big-time playmakers in the Detroit Lions‘ division, the NFC North, Or as some call them, divas. That’s right, it’s wide receiver time!

Before we jump into this addition, be sure to check out all of our previous rankings and stay up to date with upcoming position rankings as well.

Again, we aren’t looking at what player tops the NFC North division, rather ranking the teams based on their collective group. This week we begin in Minnesota…

4. Minnesota Vikings

Last season, the Minnesota Vikings used their top draft pick to go out and get Ole Miss receiver Laquon Treadwell. Prior to a gruesome injury, Treadwell was talked about as one of the top players in the entire draft. Unfortunately for both the Vikings and the rookie wide out, he struggled throughout his rookie year.

Treadwell managed only one reception for the entire season, along with not even dressing for multiple games. For both parties’ sake, he needs to have a bounce-back year in 2017 or he may be flirting with being labeled a bust.

Still, even with their top choice struggling, the Vikings found some great production out of the rest of their roster. Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen proved last season that they are a solid 1A/1B scenario at the position.

Diggs has been productive since being drafted in the fifth round of 2015, and Thielen managed to come out of nowhere after working with the Vikings’ practice squad starting in 2013. Expect to see similar results from this duo during the 2017 season as well.

Jarius Wright should also continue his solid production this season. He primarily steps in during an injury, providing a reliable backup in emergency situations. The only worry for him should be all the new faces that were brought in this offseason.

The Vikings decided to address wide receiver twice during this draft, first in the fifth round with Rodney Adams out of South Florida, and then again in the seventh round with Stacy Coley out of the University of Miami. These additions could do something on the season, but more importantly, they should put a fire behind Treadwell if he still can’t produce.

Finally, the Vikings grabbed Michael Floyd after his whirlwind of a year last season. I honestly don’t see him making it past the final cuts, but if he does, he provides the Vikings with a strong and proven player at the position.

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