5 under the radar free agent wide receivers the Detroit Lions could target

4. James Washington

Washingto wanted to be traded last offseason, but the Steelers made it clear they would not oblige. So he now heads into free agency off a low-output season as he remained in a backup role (24 receptions for 285 yads and two touchdowns in 15 games–two starts). He did catch a touchdown in the playoff loss to the Chiefs.

Washington led the Steelers in receiving yards with 735 in 2019, fueled by a mini-breakout over an eight-game stretch from Week 9-16 (34 catches for 574 yards and three touchdowns, 16.9 yards per catch, 68 percent catch rate). But he didn’t follow it in 2020 with anything, as Pittsburgh added Chase Claypool and his role mostly evaporated (though he did have five touchdowns).

Washington will get the change of scenery he wants as a free agent, with the odds the Steelers re-sign him on the “none” end of “slim and none”. He’ll still turn just 26 in early April, so he’ll be a worthy flier for more than a few teams at a bargain rate. The Lions should be among the suitors.