The Detroit Lions have already sold a third-round pick to strengthen their secondary, and a new report implies they may deal another to get a top receiving prospect.
The Lions traded this year’s third-round pick to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for seventh-year cornerback Carlton Davis, bringing depth and steadiness to a secondary that had been inconsistent in recent years. In a new mock draft, The Athletic’s Colton Pouncy and Nick Baumgardner predict that the Lions will use next year’s third-round choice as part of a package to move up and take wide receiver Xavier Legette.
The mock draft forecasts that the Lions will keep their first-round pick and use the No. 29 overall choice to sign Alabama cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry. However, the Lions were unwilling to keep the No. 61 overall pick and instead traded it, along with choice No. 205 and a future third-round pick, to the New Orleans Saints for No. 45 overall.
The Lions would then select the South Carolina receiver if he was still available.
“The Lions met with Legette at the combine and I have a feeling they like the physicality and speed combo,” Pouncy stated in an email. “The only question is his range.” I’ve seen him appear in numerous first-round mock drafts recently, but he may also be there at 61. A little amount of projection here, but I’m fine with it.”
Xavier Legette would fulfill an unmet need in Detroit.
Baumgardner stated that Legette could enhance Detroit’s receiving corps by adding a speedster who can extend the field.
“The physical characteristics are quite ludicrous, nevertheless, and exactly what Detroit lacks outside: He wrote, “I’m 6-1, 221 pounds with a 4.39 40-yard dash and a 40-inch vertical.”
Xavier Legette coming in motion and displaying athleticism & his ability to extend at the catch point
— Anthony Cover 1 (@Pro__Ant) April 5, 2024
Draft insider According to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, Legette is a likely second-round pick with a combination of good attributes that could propel him to the starting lineup one day.
“His star shines brightest once the ball goes up and he’s able to use his body control, play strength and ball skills to impose his will on the coverage,” Zierlein stated in his article. “He’s unlikely to become a polished route runner, but he can handle difficult catches and possesses sneaky acceleration, making him a legitimate deep-ball threat. When you combine his tenacity as a runner and run blocker with his competitiveness, he becomes a Day 2 player with the potential to develop into a starter.”
Another Rising Star in Detroit.
The Lions could turn to another highly touted receiver to play a larger role in their offense. Jameson Williams, the previous No. 12 overall pick, finished the 2023 season on a high note after some early struggles.
Williams missed the most of his rookie season while recovering from a ruptured ACL, and he was suspended for the first four games of the 2023 season for breaking the league’s gambling policy. Williams finished the season strong, with 11 catches for 159 yards in his final three games. The quick receiver finished the season with 24 catches for 354 yards and two touchdowns, as well as 29 rushing yards and a score.
