4 wide receivers the Detroit Lions could still look to acquire this offseason

The options are obviously not plentiful at this point, but here are four wide receivers the Detroit Lions could still look to bring in this offseason.

The Detroit Lions entered the offseason with two tentpoles and virtual locks for prominent roles on their wide receiver depth chart–Amon St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Marvin Jones was brought back to town to replace the departed DJ Chark, with Josh Reyniolds and Kalif Raymond still around to fill out the prominent part of said depth chart.

But was we know, Williams received a six-game suspension for violating the NFL’s gambling policy the Friday before the draft last month. The idea the Lions might take a wide receiver within the first few rounds was certainly viable, with an eye beyond 2023 perhaps.

But alas, only the Lions final draft pick was a wide receiver–Antoine Green. After that, there has been some sentiment that the Lions have a real void at the position. ESPN’s Louis Riddick is not among those who are concerned, conveying as much on “The Rich Eisen Show” this week.

"At wide receiver, I understand that now you’re gonna have some issues with depth, at least for the beginning of the season with Jameson Williams’ situation,” “But Marvin Jones, Josh Reynolds, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kalif Raymond, these guys, they can hold it down. They’ll be just fine.”"

If the Lions were to look to add a veteran wide receiver, and it is a fairly large ‘if’ all things considered, the pickings are of course very slim at this point. But on the idea they are looking at who is available in free agency, or who might be available in a trade, who are some viable options?

4 wide receivers the Detroit Lions could still look to acquire this offseason

4. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

With the notion the Bengals can’t (or won’t, given owner Mike Brown’s history of penny-pinching) pay everybody, with Joe Burrow and JaMarr Chase in line for big new contracts, Higgins surfaced as an easy trade candidate this offseason–Pro Football Focus even had a proposal sending him to the Lions.

Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin vehemently tried to put to bed the idea Higgins was available.

"If they want a receiver, go find your own,” Tobin said Tuesday. “In my opinion, Tee Higgins is a good piece for the Cincinnati Bengals. The trade stuff is a little ridiculous right now.”"

The next time a team executive says, verbatim or effectively, “yep, we’re open to (or trying to) trade that guy” it will be the first. Phrases like “no intention” have been used, only for a deal to then be done (h/t to former Vikings general manager Rick Spielman).

Higgins has topped 1,000-yards in back-to-back seasons, with at least 900 yards and six touchdowns in all three seasons of his career. A contract extension is not necessarily urgent business for the Bengals, with the franchise tag in their pocket for 2024.

Higgins is being the good soldier, showing up for voluntary work this offseason. He’s not likely to go any kind of public if he’s not happy with his situation.

But would the Lions offer their 2024 first-round pick and a later pick for a 24-year old wide receiver who may be a No. 1-caliber wide receiver without the role currently? The Bengals probably couldn’t turn that down.

3. N’Keal Harry, Free Agent

Back on the Harry bandwagon here. He is already in the books as a failed first-round pick by the New England Patriots. And an ankle injury late in training camp sidelined him for the early part of last season with the Chicago Bears.

In seven games he ultimately played in for the Bears, Harry had seven catches (on nine targets) for 116 yards and one touchdown over 176 snaps. However, he did have a notable highlight–in a brief flash of the potential that made him a first-round pick.

Harry is a big receiver (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) the Lions could find a way to use, and he is still just 25 years old. Taking a shot on someone of his ilk should be on the radar.

2. Rashard Higgins, Free Agent

Higgins only played three games and nine offensive snaps for the Carolina Panthers last season, but he did not appear to ever be injured. Dean Jones from our friends over at Cat Crave said it all. But Higgins also apparently drew the ire of former head coach Matt Rhule for a touchdown celebration during practice.

"The mysterious disappearance of Rashard Higgins from the Carolina Panthers’ plans was bizarre. Despite his previous solid production with the Cleveland Browns, there was something preventing the coaching staff from placing any confidence in the wide receiver, who attained just nine snaps on offense during the campaign after catching the eye in training camp."

Higgins showed flashes of promise previously with the Cleveland Browns, averaging 14.7 (2018) and 16.2 yards per catch (2020) in a season. Running afoul of Rhule, who was in over his head as an NFL head coach, should not be held against him. The Lions could see plenty to like here.

1. Corey Davis, New York Jets

Davis, like Higgins, has been out there as a potential trade candidate this offseason. As the Jets added Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman and eventually Randall Cobb, carrying Davis and his cap hit north of $11 million has not been seen as especially palatable. Heck, sending him to the Green Bay Packers in the eventual trade for Aaron Rodgers seemed perfectly viable. But it did not happen.

And of course, Jets head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas have professed the expected company line.

Most recently, it was Saleh.

“He’s gonna be on the team, yeah,” Saleh said when asked directly about the wideout’s (Davis’) future.

Before last month’s draft, Douglas talked about Davis.

"When we talk about great teammates, Corey is a great teammate,” Corey is selfless, Corey is an unbelievable worker, he’s a great professional for some of our young guys to look up to and model their approach, their work ethic to this game. And look, we all know that there’s a business aspect to football, but Corey is a valued member of this team and this franchise.”"

Davis has never lived up to his status as the No. 5 overall pick out of Western Michigan in the 2017 draft by the Tennessee Titans. It’s also fair to say he has not exactly had great quarterbacks throwing him the ball, from Marcus Mariota to Zach Wilson. Yet, with injuries costing him time at times, he has at least 14 yards per catch in four straight seasons.

Davis fits the template of a big “X” receiver, at 6-foot-3, 209 pounds. He’s a legit chain mover, with 197 of his 273 career catches (72.2 percent) going for first downs.

The Lions can easily take on Davis’ money for this year, and cross the bridge of a possible new contract if or when it comes. The Jets can say all they want, but his place in their target pecking order is tenuous and paying him what they would to be the No. 3 or No. 4 wide receiver (if everyone’s healthy) doesn’t seem ideal.

Lions general manager Brad Holmes should have Davis on his radar as a potential trade target, arguably above Tee Higgins and certainly above DeAndre Hopkins as a solid fit.