The Lions will certainly come out of the 2022 NFL Draft with at least one wide receiver, and one middle round prospect has drawn a comp to former Lion Marvin Jones.
During his time with the Detroit Lions (2016-2020), it’s not a stretch to say Marvin Jones was one of the most underrated wide receivers in the NFL. He had precisely nine touchdown catches in three of his five seasons, with over 900 yards three times and a league-best 18.0 yards per catch in 2017. Counting this season, Jones’ 39 receiving touchdowns are eighth-most in the league since the start of the 2016 season.
When Jones hit free agency last March, it was also a foregone conclusion he would not be back in Detroit as a rebuild got under way. The Jacksonville Jaguars signed him to a two-year, $12.5 million deal.
Lions 2022 NFL Draft: WR prospect draws comp to Marvin Jones
Jeff Risdon of Lion Wire released a full seven-round mock draft over the bye week weekend. The first overall pick (Oregon defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux) was not surprising, and Risdon has the Lions taking Penn State safety Jaquan Brisker to address another need on the defensive side of the ball with their second first-round pick (projected No. 30 overall, via the Rams). In the second round, Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson was the selection.
In the third round, Risdon has a double-dip at wide receiver for Detroit.
"Third round: Romeo Doubs, WR, NevadaDoubs has the ability to make catches outside the frame of his body that is as good as anyone in this draft class. His speed isn’t spectacular but the route running and blocking sure are. Has some Marvin Jones to his game. I miss Marvin Jones in Detroit…"
Risdon’s vibe about missing Jones surely resonates with Lions’ fans.
Doubs’ quarterback at Nevada, Carson Strong, is surely on the Lions’ radar too.
Doubs was one of just three returning FBS wide receivers top 1,000 yards in 2020 (58 catches for 1,002 yards, nine touchdowns). He had the highest yards per catch average of the three (17.3). In eight games played this season, he has 55 receptions for 726 yards and five touchdowns with a score in four straight games. On Oct. 23 against Fresno State, he had 19 catches for 203 yards and a touchdown.
Measuring 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Doubs is a strong physical comp to Jones (6-foot-2, 199 pounds). Risdon suggesting his speed isn’t spectacular, but the other things he does are, also easily invites the comparison to Jones.
Here’s a recent video breakdown of Doubs, via Matt Waldman of Rookie Scouting Portfolio.
The Lions should emerge from next April’s draft with a couple wide receivers, even if one winds up being a Day 3 pick. As they do their scouting of Strong as a quarterback prospect, Doubs should be an easy player to evaluate in practical parallel. In the third or fourth round, Nevada’s No. 1 receiver is in line to make plenty of sense for the Lions.