National analysts identify wide receiver as a key area for improvement for the Detroit Lions.
General Manager Brad Holmes has made minimal moves in this regard, allowing Josh Reynolds to join the Denver Broncos while re-signing Donovan Peoples-Jones to a one-year contract. The team opted not to select a wide receiver in the Draft and has yet to make a significant addition to the position.
Nevertheless, there’s potential for a significant move this offseason. Tee Higgins, a prominent wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, has expressed a desire for a trade and remains without a long-term contract.
Consequently, the Lions have been mentioned as one of five teams that could pursue Higgins in a trade, as reported by Bleacher Report’s Maurice Morton. In this hypothetical scenario, the Lions would acquire Higgins in exchange for their 2025 second and fourth-round draft picks.
“Detroit Lions shouldn’t ease off the pedal following their NFC Championship Game appearance, especially with $31 million in cap space,” Morton noted. “With a top-five scoring offense, they have just opened their Super Bowl window. Enhancing the NFL’s best passing offense could potentially propel them further in the playoffs. Adding Higgins to their roster would present a formidable challenge for opponents, bolstering their currently thin receiver group.”
Adding Higgins to the Lions’ offense would be intriguing given his size, which is currently lacking in the unit. In his four NFL seasons, Higgins has amassed 3,684 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns.
His established talent would nicely complement Amon-Ra St. Brown, who has established himself as one of the league’s premier slot receivers, and potential rising star Jameson Williams. Additionally, Donovan Peoples-Jones and Kalif Raymond are expected to contribute at various points in the 2024 season.
At present, Williams seems poised for a larger role. However, there is some skepticism surrounding him, as he has only caught 25 passes across 18 regular-season games in two years.
