Detroit Lions own the NFL’s top wide receiver duo
The Detroit Lions tandem of Golden Tate and Marvin Jones do not get enough credit. They are simply the top wide receiver duo in the NFL.
Over the past couple seasons, the Detroit Lions have had their struggles. But one area where they have excelled is their passing game. And at the very heart of that success is Matthew Stafford, one of the league’s brightest franchise quarterbacks.
But even the man under center needs reliable and talented targets to throw to ball to. And in Detroit, Stafford has two of the best in Golden Tate and Marvin Jones. In fact, I believe these two are currently the top wide receiver tandem in the NFL.
Last season, both Tate and Jones recorded 1,000 yards receiving. Combine, these two posted 2,104 yards and 14 touchdowns for the Motor City offense. Only 13 wide receivers logged more than 1,000 receiving yards in 2017. Detroit possesses two of them.
Yet, according to NFL.com analyst James Jones, the Lions combo of Tate and Jones is only the fourth best receiver tandem in the league.
"“Tate and Jones always seem to go under the radar, but they are a great combination. Tate ranked first among all receivers in yards after the catch (639) in 2017. Jones makes the contested catch nine out of 10 times on the outside, and making the tough catches is what being a wide receiver in this league is all about. Their versatility is what makes it hard for defenses to guard the Lions.”"
James Jones ranked the Los Angeles Chargers’ Keenan Allen and Tyrell Williams, the Minnesota Vikings’ Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster ahead of Tate and Marvin Jones in his recent receiving duo rankings. But none of the above teams feature two 1,000-yard receivers like Detroit does.
It can be argued that balance is the biggest factor in determining which NFL team possess the top receiver duo. In many cases, one dominate wide receiver seems to drastically outshine the other on most teams. But not in Detroit.
In fact, these two receivers have been able to find success despite having the worst rushing attack in the league. That means both Tate and Jones face the most resistance as opposing defenses know Detroit can’t run the ball. Opponents know the Lions are going to pass and still can’t stop this duo.
Next. Detroit Lions all-time wide receivers in the ‘Tecmo Bowl’ era. dark
The Detroit Lions feature two wideouts in veterans Golden Tate and Marvin Jones who perfectly complement one another. It is because of this unique balance that I believe the Motor City hosts the top wide receiver tandem in the entire league.