Detroit Lions 2019 NFL Draft: Golden Tate replacements
The Detroit Lions traded star wide out Golden Tate this week. Could they look to the draft for his replacement? Here are some options they might consider.
The Detroit Lions made a splash at the NFL trade deadline this year that certainly got their fans’ attention. They traded away locker room leader and fan favorite wide receiver Golden Tate to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2019 third round draft pick. Not only was Tate a much liked player by everyone in Detroit, but he was also a major focal point of the Lions’ passing offense.
On the season, quarterback Matthew Stafford has attempted 253 passes and completed 171 of those passes. Of the 253 pass attempts Tate has been targeted 69 times; which means that when Stafford dropped back to pass Tate got a target about 27 percent of the time.
That’s a massive target share; he was getting over a fourth of Stafford’s targets. Tate was Stafford’s top target and go-to guy. This leads to the question: Is there anybody on the roster that can fill Tate’s role in the offense? There are a few options.
The most likely option is for wide receiver T.J. Jones to fill in for Tate. Jones only has three receptions for 36 yards this year, but has shown over his years in a Lions uniform that he can step up when needed.
The belief around the locker room is that Jones can do what is going to be required of him to do. Teammate safety Glover Quin expressed his belief that Jones can get the job done. Here’s what Quinn told DetroitLions.com senior writer Tim Twentyman.
"“Every time TJ Jones goes in the game, I mean you can look at his track record, every time he goes in, he makes big catches. Two weeks ago he makes a big catch down the sideline vs. Miami. I’ve been here countless years it feels like. I’ve seen him make a ton of big catches.”"
Other options currently on the team include moving running back Theo Riddick to the slot on a more consistent basis, and/or giving undrafted rookie preseason sensation wideout Brandon Powell snaps from the slot. In past years Riddick has been a valuable asset out of the backfield as a pass catcher, but limited as a runner. Riddick played wide receiver in college at Notre Dame, so he has experience as a wide receiver.
Brandon Powell made a splash in the preseason with his return abilities and production as a receiver (led the Lions in receiving in the preseason), including returning a punt for a touchdown. Powell was active for his first game last week against the Seattle Seahawks.
As of right now however, it’s hard to see any of these players as more than short-term solutions to Tate’s departures. With that being said, there are a few intriguing options in the upcoming 2019 NFL draft that could serve as great heirs to Golden.
This upcoming draft is loaded at the wide receiver position and could see as many as five or more receivers get selected in the first round this year. This wide receiver class is both deep and loaded with star talent. The Lions could potentially net their Tate replacement on any day of the 2019 NFL draft.