So, we’re down into the single digit players. The first one up is Golden H. Tate III. Since he arrived in Detroit he has been a key play maker for the team. Having no run game has allowed him to get the ball more often. The replacement for the lack of running talent has been bubble screens to Tate and using his elusiveness and ability to make tacklers miss to gain yards on the ground.

The potential of a competent run game would could limit Tate’s effectiveness and get him less touches. While less touches might be the case, his effectiveness should increase. His yards per catch in Detroit have been significantly lower than when he was in Seattle, 10.9 last year compared to 14 in his final season with the Seahawks. In comparison, Marvin Jones averaged 18 yards per catch. The reason for this stat being low is where he was asked to catch the ball. While he isn’t the deep threat that Jones is, if he is asked to catch the ball even five yards further up field, with his ability to make tacklers miss, his yards per catch should go up significantly this upcoming season. That should happen as well with teams not banking on a pass coming out of Detroit and maybe even facing eight man boxes matching him up against a linebacker. Tate could see his production increase.

This will be the year the Lions receivers will increase efficiency-wise as they won’t be asked to carry the majority of the offensive workload alone. That could lead to them making more spectacular and impactful plays as their chances of success should increase.

List so far:

Rick Wagner – #20

Jamal Agnew – #19

Kerry Hyder – #18

Da’Shawn Hand – #17

Taylor Decker – #16

Frank Ragnow – #15

Matt Prater – #14

LeGarrette Blount – #13

Teez Tabor – #12

Devon Kennard – #11

Quandre Diggs – #10

Thanks for checking out the article everyone. Go Lions! Let me know what you think on Twitter @Alex_Watt_Lions and be sure to join the community on the Detroit Lions subreddit.