5 top reactions to new Detroit Lions fantasy football projections from ESPN's Mike Clay

4. Low offensive production for Kalif Raymond

Raymond has been quite a find for the Lions, and last season he reset his career-high from 2021 with 616 receiving yards. There would seem to be a solid role available for him in Detroit's offense this year, especially while Jameson Williams serves a six-game suspension.

But Clay has Raymond projected for just 20 catches for 226 yards (with a touchdown), albeit still obviously with his role as the Lions' punt returner (and one of the best in the league at it, to boot). But Raymond's profiency at one particular route last year begs for Ben Johnson to get more out of him than 20 catches this year.

2. Less than 100 receptions for Amon-Ra St. Brown

After he tallied 106 catches last year, St. Brown could practically be a stone-cold lock or at least 100 catches again this year...right? Not according to Clay, who has him projected for 95 receptions for 1,038 yards (which also feels pretty light) and six touchdowns.

Clay does project St. Brown for one rushing score, and a finish as WR8 in full PPR scoring fantasy-wise. The next-highest Lions wide receiver is projected to finish as WR79 (Marvin Jones), which feels about right.

A bonus takeaway: Clay also has Williams projected for more than five targets per game once he's back from his six-game suspension (53 over 10 games), with 31 catches for 445 yards and three touchdowns.