Why Detroit Lions receiver Kenny Golladay is due for a breakout rookie year

Golladay should be a huge addition to this already prolific Lions offense, and his expectations are low, just the way he likes it. For comparisons sake, just look at the numbers put up by another young, long Detroit wideout with much higher expectations, from the NFL.com database

Calvin Johnson Rookie Stats: 48 receptions, 756 yards, 4 touchdowns, 12 big plays (plays of 20+ yards)

Even legends start out as pretty average. If Golladay, even with much lower expectations and probably a smaller role in the offense, could achieve 70% of these numbers, that’d be a quality year and would blow by most “expert” predictions.

Heck, in an 2017 offense that puts up for much better numbers (thanks to the targets mentioned earlier and the best quarterback Detroit has ever seen, Matthew Stafford, who really deserves the extension, but that’s another article for another day) than Johnson’s 2007 offense, it would not be crazy for Golladay to post better rookie numbers than the legend himself.

I mean, why not? The rookie has the tools and work ethic, and he’s learning from quality veteran teammates. At this point it would take a lot to hold this man back.

Its time to give Big Play Kenny the respect he deserves. He’s got the potential, and he’s a smart kid who keeps getting better and better every day. It would be shock if he’s not a Top 5 rookie wideout in fantasy, maybe even the best one, if all the cards fall the right way.

Next: Ranking the 5 best Lions draft classes of the past 30 years

At the very least, rookie Kenny Golladay can fill the shoes of Anquan Boldin and provide the Detroit Lions with another crucial third down converter and red zone target. I’m believe the rookie can actually be more than that, but you go ahead and keep doubting him. It wouldn’t be the first time.