The Detroit Lions’ third-year wide receiver Kenny Golladay, should continue his upward trend in 2019. Let’s take a look at why he will break out in 2019.
While there weren’t too many noticeably bright spots during the 2018 campaign for the Detroit Lions or their loyal fans, there was certainly a light shining over No. 19, wide receiver Kenny Golladay. With fellow wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. sidelined by injury, Golladay was forced into the number one receiver role, but was he ready?
Let’s remember that 2018 was just Golladay’s second season in the league. It seemed to be a lot to ask of this young man at the time; to help lead this offense, with let’s face it, limited help around him.
I personally felt that Golladay was good, but number one? Yeah, maybe later on in his career, right? Not so fast … Golladay had put this Lions’ receiving corps on his shoulders and flourished, proving he was able to tackle this tall task.
Even without the presence of any other true threat by the Lions receivers, including the tight ends on the roster, Golladay had stepped up and made some things happen in the passing game. Not to say that there weren’t any inconsistencies from Golladay at times, but that is to be expected of such a young player in the NFL.
Golladay had still managed to haul in 70 balls for 1,063 yards and five scores throughout the course of the 2018 season. Detroit’s second-year receiver arose to the occasion and showed off his athleticism, strength, discipline, and focus with some nice diving catches and battles for the ball last season. Still better yet, he showed us fans his will to win.
2019 brings a new offensive coordinator in Darrell Bevell to Detroit. His run-heavy, two-tight end sets should give Golladay plenty more opportunities off of play-action and new red zone concepts. Former offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter was not retained following the conclusion of the 2018 season, as the team had decided to go in another direction.
Jones will likely return to the lineup on the outside opposite Golladay, with newly acquired free agent wide receiver Danny Amendola lined up in the slot receiver position for 2019.
The Lions have also brought in two new blocking tight ends for Bevell’s new offensive scheme that are both reliable receiving threats as well. Free-agent and former Pittsburgh Steeler Jesse James and Detroit’s first-round pick (8th overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft, T.J. Hockenson out of Iowa.
Golladay has everything he needs around him within this new Lions’ offense to succeed. He has made some strides in his first two seasons on his way to becoming a star at the pro level. You could even make an argument that he has already broken out … and I couldn’t really contest that theory.
I will say this, there is an exceedingly favorable possibility that Detroit Lions’ Kenny Golladay has only just started to tap into his true potential at this stage of his early and promising career.