The Detroit Lions have seen some changes at the wide receiver position. Calvin Johnson retired and Detroit got some help with the additions of Marvin Jones and Jeremy Kerley. Those two guys and Golden Tate round out the top three spots at the position. Behind them there are question marks at the position. Detroit has 12 wide receivers on the roster right now and it will go down to five or six. I see three wide receivers who could compete and possibly win that number four spot – let’s look at who could rise up to the occasion and give Detroit another option to throw to.
T.J. Jones
T.J. Jones stepped up last season, ending with 10 catches for 132 yards and a touchdown. He saw time at the number three spot with Lance Moore out but mostly played at the number four spot last year. T.J. is the shortest wide receiver on this list and Detroit needs another big wide receiver besides Marvin Jones. T.J has the speed and quickness to get open, but he did fumble twice last season, so his hands do need some work.
Andre Caldwell
Last season, Caldwell had 10 catches for 72 yards and two touchdowns. Caldwell is mostly known for his kick and punt return abilities, so being a number four wide receiver might not happen for him, but you can’t rule him out. Caldwell is six feet one inch and has some speed on him as well to get open and make cornerbacks miss. Caldwell could see an increased role in Detroit with the signing and Detroit could give him a chance to play at his natural position.
Jay Lee
This player was considered the best UDFA on our team. He is tall at six feet three inches and produced some numbers at Baylor last season. He ended with 38 catches for 758 yards and eight touchdowns. Lee could have an impact on this race and make the 53-man roster once it comes down to it. Lee is the tallest out of these three and he showed good production in college. Worst case scenario for Lee is he is on the practice squad, but the best chance is he wins the battle and becomes the Lions number four receiver.
Who will become the number four wide receiver?
While all three of these guys have a good shot at taking on that role, I see T.J. Jones winning it out. Caldwell is mostly a returner, so I don’t see him beating out either of these guys. Jay Lee does have a good shot at being in that spot as well, but since Jones impressed well enough last year, he should get the nod. Lee has a good chance to make the roster because Detroit may not want him on the practice squad to get swooped up by another team. This will be a pre-season battle to watch.
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