Detroit Lions: 5 offseason needs in 2019
By Jon Dove
Wide Receiver
The Detroit Lions mid-season trade of Golden Tate made sense, but also sent away one of the team’s top receivers. Tate was never a flashy playmaker but he knew how to move the chains and was very consistent.
Detroit needs to find a new slot receiver to fill the hole created by Tate’s departure. This need is more urgent if they don’t bring back T.J. Jones, who is a free agent.
The Lions do have two solid targets remaining on the roster in Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones. Golladay has shown flashes of being a potential No. 1 receiver. However, he’s also had too many games where he completely disappeared.
Detroit has enough cap room to target a slot receiver like Adam Humphries in free agency. Humphries enjoyed a breakout season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is now looking to cash in on the open market.
Ryan Grant failed to make an impact with the Indianapolis Colts after leaving the Washington Redskins in free agency last year. However, he still has some promise and could be a nice buy-low option for a team like the Lions.
The 2019 Draft also has some options, but Detroit might be better off addressing other needs. A pass-catching tight end is a major need and would help decrease the pressure to find a slot receiver.