If the Detroit Lions make a move for a wide receiver at this point, could it be a trade for someone general manager Brad Holmes knows well?
Among the most notable losses for the Detroit Lions in free agency this year was wide receiver DJ Chark, though just how much of a loss he is can surely be debated. The return of Marvin Jones reduces any impact of losing Chark, and he might be a better overall fit anyway.
But the Lions wide receiver corps took a notable hit when Jameson Williams got a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s gambling policy. Quintez Cephus received an indefinite suspension for the same thing, and the Lions cut him immediately to thin their wide receiver depth a bit.
The Lions did add Antoine Green to their wide recever depth chart with their final pick of the draft. He theoretically has an opportunity to earn a solid role right away as a downfield threat.
Could the Detroit Lions trade for a wide receiver Brad Holmes is familar with?
Dallas Robinson of Pro Football Network recently tabbed the biggest remaining roster holes for contending teams after the 2023 NFL Draft. The Lions are indeed a contender this year, so they made the list.
Robinson offered up that the Lions “should probably” bring in another pass catcher in the wake of Williams’ suspension, given that Jones and Josh Reynolds would Amon-Ra St. Brown’s running mates if the season started today.
Then, he landed on an interesting idea.
"There aren’t many free agent receivers left, but I wonder if Lions general manager (and former Rams executive) Brad Holmes could make a call about Los Angeles’ Van Jefferson, who is entering the final season of his contract on a rebuilding roster."
Van Jefferson was a second-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft by the Rams. He had a minor breakout in 2021, with 50 receptions for 802 yards and six touchdowns. Knee surgery last offseason cost him the early part of last season, and he finished with 24 catches for 369 yards and three touchdowns over 11 games.
As a downfield threat (16.0 yards per catch in 2021) with solid size (6-foot-1, 200 pounds), Jefferson would seem to be a solid fit for the Lions. His cap number for this year, the final year of his contract, is just $1.78 million.
The Rams seem to still somewhat be trying to win in 2023, despite their bad Super Bowl hangover last year inviting a reset/rebuild. So if they’d trade Jefferson, especially given his low salary compared to some other inflated salaries on their payroll, is a question.
That said, Brad Holmes could try to acquire a player he presumably had a role in the drafting of when he was the Rams’ director of college scouting.