Detroit Lions Wide Receivers

Lions did not expend a lot of resources to upgrade the receivers this season. Drafted Kenny Golladay in the third. Main competition will be the for the fourth spot.

016 STATS
PLAYER	GAMES	REC	YDS	AVG	LONG	TD
Golden Tate	16	91	1,077	11.8	67	4
Marvin Jones Jr.	15	55	930	16.9	73	4
Kenny Golladay*	12	87	1,156	13.3	49	8
TJ Jones	3	5	93	18.6	36	0
Jace Billingsley^	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jared Abbrederis+	5	1	8	8.0	8	0
Ryan Spadola#	0	0	0	0	0	0
Keshawn Martin%	1	0	0	0	0	0
Noel Thomas*	12	100	1,179	11.8	62	3
Dontez Ford*	8	17	288	16.9	19	2
Michael Rector*	13	32	367	11.5	44	3

2016 leaders
Touchdowns
Boldin 8
Jones 4
Roberts 3

Penalties
Boldin 5
Tate 3

YAC
Tate 635 (#4 NFL)
Jones 237
Boldin 218

Drops
Jones (#8 NFL)
Boldin 4
Tate 4
TJ Jones 2
Roberts

Returning:
Marvin Jones
Golden Tate
TJ Jones

Key additions
Kenny Golladay 3rd round pick:


Gone:
Andre Roberts
Anquan Boldin

Golden Tate 8th in the NFL 4th in Detroit 48 starts
UFA 2014 Seahawks
Regular Season: 278/3187/14 rec
Post Season: 2 starts 9/114/1 rec
Preseason: 20/330/3
College: Notre Dame 37 games 22 starts 157/2707/26 rec 909 KOR
Combine: 5102 202 4.42 17 35 1000 7.12 4.34
Contract: 2 years $8.351 mil
Football Outsiders rank: #48
PFF Rank: #57
Si.com Rank: #253
Snaps: 914 O

Analysis:
Slow start last season. Turned it up. Still catches the quick screens and makes defenders miss. Not a dependable downfield target.

Marvin Jones 6th year in the NFL 2nd in Detroit 15 starts
UFA Bengals 2016
Regular season: 55/930/4 rec
Post Season 4/81/0 rec
Preseason: 8/106/0 rec
College: Cal 43/38 156/2270/13 rec
Combine: 6017 199 4.42 22 33 904 6.81 4.11
Contract: 4 years $8.6 mil
Football Outsiders Rank: # 20
PFF Ranks: #45
SI.com Rank: #288
Snaps: 930 O

Analysis:
Failed to live up to billing. Could not separate from coverage. Struggled with the jam. Better built as a # 2 receiver.

TJ Jones 4th year in Detroit 13 games
6th round pick 2014
Regular Season: 15/225/1 rec
Post Season: 1 game
Pre season: 9/163/1 rec
College: 51 games 181/2429/19 rec
Combine: 5115 188 4.48 33 911 6.82 4.27
Contract 1 year $615,000
Snaps: 60 O 31 ST

Analysis:
TJ has bounced around the organization. Injuries hampered him his first two years. Showed flashes but has never been consistent. Probably his last chance to make the rotation.

Ryan Spadola 4th year in the NFL 3rd in Detroit
FA 2015 Cards, Falcons, Jets
NFL Career 4 games
College: Lehigh 38 games 232/3611/24 rec
Combine: 6012 204 4.48 15 37 911 6.72 4.07
Contract: 1 year $540,000

Analysis:
Guy with good size and some speed. Tore a pec last year. Still on the roster. Last shot at the roster. Waived/injured 8/8

Jace Billingsley 2nd year in Detroit
UDFA 2016
Lions stats: 2 games 2 tackles
Preseason: 22/252/2 rec 6/132 KOR 9/78 PR
College: Eastern Oregon 242/2522/42 rec 5911 all purpose yards
Pro Day: 5081 192 4.48 24 35.5 908 6.88 4.1
Contract: 1 year $465,000

Analysis:
Jace surprised a lot people with an exciting preseason. Made the practice squad and was given a promotion to the 53 man roster.  Has a chance to stick at the return man.

Jared Abberdaris 4th year in the NFL 1st in Detroit
2017 FA Green Bay Packers
Lions Stats: 7 games 3/44 rec 3 tackles 1 FF
Preseason: 8/84/1 rec 2/44 KOR 6/30 PR
NFL Career: 22 games 13/153/0 rec
College: Wisconsin 202/3140/23 rec
Combine: 6010 195 4.5 4 30.5 909 6.8 4.08


Analysis:
Quick guy who runs sharp routes. Has return ability. Could stick at the 4th spot. Waived 11/14

Kenny Golladay Rookie 3rd round pick
College: Northern Illinois 47 games 34 starts 259/3598/27 rec
Combine: 6036 218 4.5 18 35.5 1000 7.0 4.15
Contract 4 years

Analysis:
Size, speed guy. Good hands. Showed well in the spring. Could be the 3rd WR and a good complement to Golden and MJ.

Keshawn Martin 6th year in the NFL 1st in Detroit
FA 2017 Texans, Pats
NFL Career 58 games 10 starts 62/685/5 rec 94/858/1 PR 80/2001/0 KOR
College: MSU 48 games 127/1714/10 rec
Combine: 5114 182 4.45 13 39.5 1002 6.85 4.13
Contract 1 year $695,000

Analysis:
Guy who can return kicks. Play a little WR. I don't think he make the original 53 but could be brought back. Waived August 28.

Dontez Ford UDFA rookie
College: Pitt 23 games 46/843/5 rec
Pro Day: 6012 212 4.58 16 36 1007 6.98 4.47
Contract 3 years: $465,000

Analysis:
A strong guy coming off an injury at Pitt. Has a shot at the practice squad.

Michael Rector UDFA rookie
College: Stanford 104/1681/15 rec
Combine: 6001 187 4.42 13 36.5 1009 6.77 4.19
Contract: 3 years $465,000

Analysis:
Speed guy with questionable hands. Will compete for the practice squad.

Noel Thomas UDFA Rookie
College: UCONN 183/2235/10 rec
Combine: 6001 200 4.63 4.52 9 33 910
Contract: 3 years $465,000

Analysis:
A productive receiver without an outstanding trait. Slow 40 time. Made the practice squad.