3 free agent wide receivers the Detroit Lions could still sign

2. Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The one unsigned receiver from our aforementioned list of five from less than 10 days ago, and even he has had at least one known visit since then, Valdes-Scantling still makes sense for the Lions. He has somehow topped 40 catches just once in six NFL seasons, despite having two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks throwing him the ball (Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes). Drops have been a thing some times.

But Valdes-Scantling is without a doubt a downfield threat, averaging 17 yards per catch for his career. He has "X-receiver" size (6-foot-4 and 206 pounds), which the Lions are missing in their receiving corps right now. His surface numbers are backed by a career of his best Pro Football Focus grades coming on downfield throws (20-plus yards). Beyond that, his PFF grades on intermediate throws (10-19 yards downfield) have routinely been pretty darn good too. So maybe he shouldn't be pigeonholed as sheerly a deep threat.

Within the idea Jameson Williams will have his route tree expanded in Year 3, Valdes-Scantling makes a ton of sense as a cheap flier to fill a deep threat/red zone? role for the Lions. It'd be surprising if they don't have some level of interest, but even now "MVS" might be able to find an opportunity for a bigger role elsewhere.

Update, March 14, 10:30 a.m. ET: According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, Valdes-Scantling is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Buffalo Bills.