On some level, wide receiver depth has been an issue for the Detroit Lions all offseason. Not drafting anyone at the position was a clear profession of faith in Jameson Williams, but who will fill the No. 3 receiver role, essentially vacated by Josh Reynolds, has been a question. Kalif Raymond should not be overlooked. Early camp standout Daurice Fountain has leveled off a little lately.
In the preseason opener against the New York Giants, the Lions did not gain much clarity in the battle for the down depth chart spots at wide receiver. Undrafted rookie Isaiah Williams had a nice game (four catches for 35 yards), seizing opportunity no one else would or could in a game setting. But he's still got work to do to make a genuine run at a spot on the 53-man roster, though it's not out of the question he gets it done.
There are of course not many, if any, viable options available for the Lions to add experience to their wide receiver corps at this point. But that doesn't mean they shouldn't be on the lookout, and a notable veteran just became available.
JuJu Smith-Schuster has been released by the New England Patriots.
Source: The #Patriots are releasing WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. While a surprise, this move does give Smith-Schuster the chance to sign somewhere before the season. pic.twitter.com/r4ydvyXcYC
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 9, 2024
JuJu Smith-Schuster is uninspiring idea to help Lions' wide receiver problem
Smith-Schuster's 2023 season in New England was marred by injuries and awful quarterback play, with 29 receptions for 260 yards and a touchdown over 11 games. But in 2022 with the Kansas City Chiefs, he had a functional 78 catches for 933 yards and three touchdowns with a 77.2 percent catch rate. 47 of his catches went for first downs that season.
As Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports noted, Lions general manager Brad Holmes expressed plenty of interest in Smith-Schuster during the 2017 pre-draft process when was the Rams' director of scouting. Some of that (pre-draft visit, attending his Pro Day) could be chalked up to sheer proximity, since Smith-Schuster went to USC. But the Rams went so far to have Jared Goff work out with him.
If Smith-Schuster had been available at pick No. 69 in that draft, he may have started his NFL career as a Ram. They had to "settle" for Cooper Kupp after the Steelers took Smith-Schuster at No. 62.
Smith-Schuster was not a fit for the youth movement at wide receiver in New England, with speculation he could be cut going back months. In a vacuum, he is an ideal target for the Lions to add at wide receiver-experienced, won't cost much and would probably like to sign with a contender. It's crazy to realize he's only 27 years old (28 in November), but when he's been on the field in two of the last three seasons he has looked pretty cooked.
The Lions could give Smith-Schuster a look via a workout, in the name of sheer due diligence if (when?) they look to add a veteran wide receiver. But he is more of a name than game at this point, so a proverbial kicking of tires might be all it proves to be-if that happens.