Detroit Lions: 53-man roster prediction prior to season opener
Wide Receivers
In: (6) Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola, Quintez Cephus, Marvin Hall, Jamal Agnew
Out: Tom Kennedy, Chris Lacy, Victor Bolden
Rationale: This was the deepest and most productive position group for the Lions in 2019, and that could easily be the case again this season with the top three members returning. Some promising new additions could make it one of the best receiving corps in the league.
Golladay, Jones, and Amendola are all back and should account for the majority of this group’s targets. Hall also makes the cut as the unit’s deep threat. He will look to diversify his game after averaging over 37 yards per reception on just seven catches last year.
Cephus has made strides this summer and his penchant for getting open in college despite average speed will serve him well if it can carry over to the NFL. He figures to encounter some typical rookie speed bumps and could find touches hard to come by considering the experienced veterans in front of him.
Agnew is the X-factor, as he too has undergone a position change this offseason after minimal progress as a cornerback. His speed and elusiveness will benefit him during the transition. However, he still seems likely to be primarily relegated to a special teams role and the occasional trick-play on offense, barring missed time by the other receivers.
None of the other wideouts offer enough to threaten any of our six choices here. Still, if they’re available, the Lions could turn to Lacy, Bolden, or Kennedy later in the season due to their familiarity with the system.