NFL Combine Preview: Receivers to watch
The Detroit Lions made a bold decision during the 2022 NFL Draft, trading up to secure wide receiver Jameson Williams with the No. 12 overall pick.
General manager Brad Holmes added Williams to a solid young core of wideouts, a group headlined by Amon-ra St. Brown. A budding star, St. Brown took a massive step forward in 2022 by notching over 100 catches and 1,000 yards for the first time in his career.
Williams spent most of the season rehabbing an ACL injury, and made just one catch, though it was a memorable one (a touchdown).
The Lions are faced with a decision this offseason at the position, as DJ Chark is set to be a free agent. Should he not return, the Lions will be forced to make up for the loss of a starter.
If Chark does play elsewhere in 2023, the Lions could fill the void left by his departure through the upcoming NFL Draft. The Scouting Combine will offer the team a chance to view many of the top prospects up close, while also allowing for interview time with each athlete.
Here are five wide receiver prospects for Detroit to watch at the upcoming NFL Scouting Combine.
Jaxon Smith-njigba, OSU
Smith-njigba appeared to be on the fast track to being a top pick in this year’s draft, before suffering an injury in Ohio State’s season opener against Notre Dame. He’d play just one more time during the season, spending the remainder of the year on the sideline with a hamstring injury.
Because he’s been out of action for so long, the combine will be his first chance to show off his skills in front of scouts.
Currently, he’s still viewed as a first-round pick, but has fallen behind the likes of USC’S Jordan Addison and TCU’S Quinten Johnston at his position. If Smith-njigba can flash that skill set that made him so well-liked as a player at Ohio State, he could boost his stock back to where it was prior to the season.
Jalin Hyatt, Tennessee
Hyatt was a fast riser in Tennessee’s wide-open offensive scheme. Many remember his outburst against Alabama, as he scored five touchdowns in Tennessee’s upset of the Crimson Tide.
Armed with ample speed, Hyatt has the ability to take the top off defenses in a way similar to what Detroit already has in Williams. However, he wasn’t asked to run the whole route tree in Tennessee’s vertically-oriented offense.
The combine offers Hyatt an opportunity to show his versa
tility as a route runner. Watching him in action will answer questions about that route running, and he should be exciting as one of the draft’s fastest players.
Jayden Reed, MSU
Reed is one of the draft’s better receivers at winning in contested situations. He made plenty of highlight-reel catches while playing for the Spartans. He’s been held back by the fact that he’s smaller than the typical ‘X’ receiver, but his leaping ability and concentration help eliminate some of the worries.
Reed had a solid showing at the Senior Bowl, and has a chance to further elevate his stock in Indianapolis. If he can run fast in the 40 and take care of business in on-field drills, he could push himself further into the conversation as one of the draft’s better receivers.
Again, he’s smaller than the typical player at his specific position. The Lions could see value in his ability to overcome that, and if his ability to win in 50-50 situations can translate to the next level, he’ll be a steal for whichever team selects him.
Zay Flowers, Boston College
Where other receivers bring physicality, Flowers brings the finesse. His 5-foot-9 frame isn’t going to impose fear, but the speed he carries will. A burner from the slot, Flowers will add another dimension of speed to whichever team decides to draft him.
Flowers would be an interesting player on the radar for the Lions. Currently, he’s viewed as a middle-round prospect. Detroit swung big and added Williams’ speed last year. But, would the Lions be willing to add another speedy piece to the offense?
As it stands, St. Brown has been asked to play plenty out of the slot. According to Pro Football Focus, the USC product played 59.9% of snaps from the slot position. By adding a player like Flowers, he could slide outside more while Flowers gets reps on the inside.
Watch Flowers run at the combine, and you’ll be left wondering what he could do in Detroit’s explosive offensive scheme under coordinator Ben Johnson.
A.T. Perry, Wake Forest
Perry is among the most physical receivers in the draft class. He stands 6-foot-5, and promises to be a red-zone threat at the next level.
A knock on Perry is his struggles with drops. PFF tabbed him with eight drops in 2022. If he can hone in on his concentration, he’ll be capable of being a big-time player in the NFL.
If Perry can showcase top-end speed and improved concentration during on-field drills, he could skyrocket up draft boards. His size is simply unteachable, so showing off a polished skill set would increase his value to teams like Detroit which may look to add a physical target out wide.