Dan Campbell explains why 'WR3' role is not the intended plan for Kalif Raymond

A lot of fans want to brush it off as nothing, in terms of the pecking order for touches in the Detroit Lions' offense. But no less an authority than Dan Campbell talked about it twice in the span of three days between the first two preseason games. Essentially, the head coach is asking for someone to step up and fill the role vacated by Josh Reynolds.

It's also fair to say no receiver who befits that role, physically or otherwise, has stepped up. So Kalif Raymond is the third-best wide receiver on the roster, by a fairly significant margin over anyone else. But he's not the bigger-bodied guy that the Lions' receiving corps is missing.

On Tuesday, Campbell was asked about Raymond and the WR3 role/label.

Dan Campbell confirms that 'WR3' role is not ideal plan with Kalif Raymond

"He is receiver three right now I just, I think the idea has always been, we love Lif as a returner, and Lif brings leaf brings a different skill set to the receiver position. He's got a little gadgetry. He's got some quickness underneath, and he's a returner. And to maximize both, boy, you'd love to you know, he's 20 to 20 plays a game. 25 plays a game, and so we would rather not play him 65 plays a game, but we will if we have to. So yeah, he's receiver three right now, and that's fine, but that's why it would be nice to have somebody step up, because that just helps the room, and I think it makes everybody a little more potent, that's all. But yes, we trust Lif very much."

So it's not about any lack of trust or belief in Raymond, as expected. It's the total package of what he brings to the table, and wanting to maximize it. Campbell didn't even specifically mention Raymond's role as the Lions' punt returner.

Campbell was then asked about his confidence in finding that WR3 on the roster. He acknowledged the obvious about keeping an eye on who's available, or becomes available, while also noting he'd like the solution to be among the guys who have already been around and working.

In-between those thoughts, Campbell landed on the sentiment he's been hinting at for more than a week now.

"We're gonna find the best guy that fits us, whether it's here of somewhere else."

If the best guy is Raymond, then so be it-as Campbell said. The third preseason game will be huge for guys like Donovan Peoples-Jones, Daurice Fountain and Kade Davis, with a possible move to add someone looming over the situation.