The six-game suspension given to Jameson Williams may push wide receiver up the list of draft needs for the Detroit Lions, and here are four who look like good potential fits.
In a peripheral way, wide receiver was probably somewhere on the radar for the Detroit Lions in this year’s draft. With Friday’s six-game suspension given to Jameson Williams for violating the NFL’s gambling policy, it may be more front and center now.
This isn’t the place for a conversation about the league’s hyprocisy when it comes to gambling. Rules are rules, and whether he knew the rules, should have known the rules or just didn’t think he’d get caught, Williams is out of the mix for the first six games of the 2023 season. Given the plans for him to have a bigger role in his second season, his absence is lined up to hurt the Lions.
But if we learned anything about general manager Brad Holmes in free agency this offseason, it’s that he’ll adjust and pivot quickly. Jamaal Williams’ contract talks going nowhere? Here’s David Montgomery. Versatile offensive lineman Evan Brown is gone? Let’s bring back Graham Glasgow.
At its core, the situation with Jameson Williams isn’t much different. Theres a void to fill, and the draft is the now the pivot option. This year’s wide receiver class is not as talent-laden as some in years past, with few likely first-round picks. But that fits right into the Lions’ wheelhouse, with three Day 2 picks and a wide receiver possibly to be among them even before Williams was suspended.
Without futher ado, here are four wide receivers the Lions could take in this year’s draft.