It’s never too early to consider what might happen during the upcoming NFL season. Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon definitely sees the Detroit Lions as Super Bowl contenders, and in his most recent list of prospective NFL trade deadline moves, Gagnon claimed that the Lions will acquire one of the AFC North’s top receivers to make a Super Bowl push.
Gagnon identified wide receivers Amari Cooper and Tee Higgins as the Lions’ most likely NFL trade deadline targets.
“The Lions are preparing. A team that has never been to the Super Bowl can plainly smell it, and another great summer of shoring up and bolstering weak spots shows they’re all in,” Gagnon said.
“Potential targets include Amari Cooper if the Browns aren’t competitive and Tee Higgins if the Bengals struggle again. Both walk-year veteran receivers have the potential to change the game in Detroit.
If there is one remaining vulnerability on the Lions’ roster, especially on offense, it is the No. 2 wide receiver.
Amon-Ra St. Brown has established himself as one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. However, the Lions lost veteran receiver Josh Reynolds in free agency and did not make any substantial upgrades to the position this offseason.
Why the Detroit Lions Could Acquire Another Receiver
The Lions lost Reynolds, their second-leading wide receiver from the 2023 season. Reynolds had a few important drops in the NFC championship game loss, but he was extremely effective throughout the regular season, with 40 catches, 608 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns.
For the first time in his career, Reynolds had at least 40 receptions, 600 yards, and five touchdowns.
The Lions boast outstanding pass catchers at running back and tight end in Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta, both 2023 rookies. However, to ensure that Detroit’s passing offense remains one of the best in the league, the Lions should consider adding receivers between now and the NFL trade deadline.
Cooper has made five Pro Bowl appearances in his career, the most recent being last season. Cooper has 72 catches, 1,250 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns in 2023 despite the Cleveland Browns’ ever-changing quarterback situation.
Higgins’ statistics dropped in 2023, but Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s injury could explain why. Nonetheless, Higgins posted a career-high 15.6 yards per reception average last season.
Cooper and Higgins are poised to become free agents in March of next year. As a result, they might be rental players if the Browns or Bengals fall out of contention by the end of October.
Lions Count on Jameson Williams, Donovan Peoples-Jones at WR
The argument that the Lions will be looking for a great WR2 at the trade deadline makes sense right now. But it may not be two months into the season.
The Lions did not make a substantial addition at receiver, nor did they overpay for Reynolds, since they believed in the depth behind St. Brown.
Jameson Williams, a former first-round choice, will begin his third NFL season this autumn. The Lions have high expectations for Williams in 2024.
“We’re two practices in, and if you said, ‘Give me one player who has improved the most from start to finish in that time,’ Jamo would be that guy right now,” Lions head coach Dan Campbell remarked on May 23. “He’s a man on a mission, and I’ll leave it at that. Alright? I’ll leave it at that.
Williams concluded the 2023 regular season with 24 receptions, 354 receiving yards, and two touchdowns. However, he averaged 14.8 yards per reception and had at least 43 yards in each of his last three regular-season games.
Donovan Peoples-Jones, a veteran who was acquired at the deadline last season, has also encouraged the Lions.
If Williams or Peoples-Jones emerge as excellent WR2, the Lions are unlikely to trade for another wide receiver.
