The anticipated and now official departure of Josh Reynolds has left an opening on the Detroit Lions’ wide receiver depth chart. In theory, a full offseason in the system would allow Donovan Peoples-Jones to emerge, but that remains a question mark. For all of the hope and buzz around Jameson Williams, he must demonstrate his ability to perform over the course of a season.
There has been some talk of the Lions selecting a wide receiver early in this year’s draft. The fundamental premise is that a big-bodied “X” receiver would fit well in the offense, and this logic is unquestionable. In a non-draft scenario, a dependable veteran to replace Reynolds could be on the radar.
The Lions suit every list that was, is, or will be released regarding “one potential move to fill (blank) void….” Along those lines, Maurice Mouton of Bleacher Report has a new list titled “1 Trade Each NFL Contender Should Consider to Fill Biggest Weakness.”
Mouton proposed a deal to address the Lions’ “moderate need” at wide receiver.
Trade proposal would be very underwhelming way for Lions to add a wide receiver
To fill that “moderate need” at wide receiver, Mouton suggests the Lions target Tutu Atwell of the Los Angeles Rams. A tentacle of that is the idea offensive coordinator Ben Johnson could further use his “creative play-calling juices.”
“At 5’9″, 165 pounds, the 24-year-old isn’t going to win many jump ball opportunities or routinely come down with contested catches. On the flip side, he can make big plays with his speed, which may open up the field for other Lions pass-catchers.”
“Over the last two years, the Los Angeles Rams found ways to get Atwell the ball in space, and he’s caught 57 passes for 781 yards and four touchdowns since 2022.”
-Maurice Mouton, Bleacher Report
Mouton proposes a late-round pick to the Rams for Atwell, and that would certainly be all it would cost. But Atwell’s physical profile is very close to Kalif Raymond’s, and the usage pattern looks similar. It’s worth noting Raymond suffered a knee injury in last year’s regular season finale and did not play at all in the playoffs. So his prognosis for the start of the season is an unanswered question right now.
If they add one, the Lions will need a wide receiver who can provide something different than what they already have. Mouton’s suggestion for Atwell to “make big plays with his speed” and “open up the field for other Lions pass-catchers” sounds very similar to Williams’ job.
