Bandwagon for wide receiver who's a perfect fit for Lions is growing

Ask Detroit Lions' fans how big a loss wide receiver Josh Reynolds, and you'll probably get different answers ranging from cut-and-dry one way or the other to more nuanced. In terms of how he'll be replaced, those answers will inform what someone thinks about the need to add someone.

What is fair to say is the Lions could use another wide receiver, regardless of how urgent the need is thought to be. Beyond Amon-Ra St. Brown, there are question marks (Jameson Williams, Donovan Peoples-Jones). To some extent, if or where they draft a wide receiver may say a lot about the faith they truly have that Williams will fully emerge next season.

More specifically, as good as their offense is, the Lions seem to be missing a big "X" receiver who can win contested catches downfield and be a red zone weapon.

In line with the draft conversation about Washington quarterback Michael Penix is that he had three wide receivers who are also going to be drafted this year. In a two-round mock draft earlier this month, ESPN's Field Yates gave Washington wide receiver Ja'Lynn Polk to the Lions at pick No. 61.

"Receiver feels like a potential hole opposite Amon-Ra St. Brown especially afterJosh Reynolds signed with Denver. Polk isn't a burner (4.53 in the 40 at the combine), but he has an excellent catch radius and is tough. He finished 2023 with 1,159 receiving yards", Yates wrote.

That got some people immediately on board with Polk as a nice fit for the Lions. And it looks like that bandwagon is growing.

Ja'Lynn Polk to the Lions bandwagon seems to be growing

In a conference call with media this past week, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network had Polk as one of his three mid-round wide receivers who could be fits for the Lions (h/t to SI.com).

"Ja'Lynn Polk would be one, from Washington, who can do that as someone who gives you some physicality and some toughness,"

NFL analyst Jon Ledyard was concise in professing Polk as a fit for the Lions.

In a look at a wide receiver for each round of the draft as a potential fit the Lions, Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire highlighted what he likes about Polk in choosing him as the third-round fit. Risdon then reached the same conclusion as Ledyard.

"Polk gets overshadowed from playing with Rome Odunze (top 10 pick) and Jalen McMillan (Top 100 prospect), but he’s a very good downfield target with size and YAC ability. He’s the prospect here who is most like Josh Reynolds in terms of role fit and overall ability."

Risdon wrote he chose Polk as that third-round fit based on a strong belief the Lions like him. The Lions should like him a lot, with good athletic testing numbers beyond the headline of a slow 40 time and the combination of skills they should be seeking if they draft a wide receiver.