Pro Football Focus opens up possibility Lions replace Josh Reynolds in free agency

It's fair to say Josh Reynolds has been a good fit for the Detroit Lions since arriving during the 2021 season. A bad performance in the NFC Championship Game does not erase that. But he is a free agent, and while it seems more likely than not he'll be re-signed, it'll be a question until a deal is done.

And in a broad sense, Reynolds should be willing to see what else might be out there on the open market. Not that he'll break the bank, but maybe there's a team that would pay him a little more than the Lions would on a one or two-year deal.

Also in a broad sense, the Lions could look to make a bolder move to add a wide receiver in free agency. It's not a massive need, but it can't be ruled out. But it's more likely to be a depth piece/No. 3 if a veteran is added, with the idea Jameson Williams is lined up to have a third-year breakout next season.

Pro Football Focus projects lateral move for the Lions to replace Josh Reynolds

Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus is out with some potential landing spots for top free agent quarterbacks and wide receivers.

Reynolds comes in at No. 116 on PFF's top-150 ranking of 2024 free agents, and Spielberger opened up the possibility he's not back with the Lions.

116. WR Josh Reynolds, Detroit Lions

Potential landing spot(s): Atlanta Falcons, Washington Commanders

"We must not let a tough outing in the NFC Championship Game from Reynolds distract us from the fact that he had a great season in Detroit, as he was always rock solid as a No. 3 receiver out wide who does well to find the soft spots in zones and can win at the intermediate levels. Reynolds was also an asset in the Lions' run game....."

As could be expected?, Spielberger also has the Lions replacing Reynolds with his potential landing spot for another free agent receiver.

134. WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans

Potential landing spot(s): Detroit Lions

"Westbrook-Ikhine is the vertical field-stretcher with good run-blocking chops that could be a nice complementary piece in Detroit’s offense, and with big paydays looming for Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown and many others, they need to start filling out the roster with good value additions that fill a specific role well."

By playing time and snap share, Westbrook-Ikhine has been a prominent player in the Titans' offense over the last three seasons. He ended this season on IR due to a hand injury, and he had 28 catches for 370 yards and three touchdowns over 14 games. In 2022, he averaged 15.9 yards per reception.

If the Lions are going to sign a wide receiver of Westbrook-Ikhine's ilk, as seems most likely, it would probably be better to just re-sign Reynolds. The cost shouldn't be much different, even if Spotrac's current market value projections happen to show a noticeable gap, and Reynolds is already a proven fit.