The wide receiver position left vacant by Josh Reynolds’ departure in free agency was one of the main training camp contests that was included in every Detroit Lions offseason preview. It has been often said that the squad is in desperate need of an outside WR-X. However, after almost three weeks of training camp, it is still unclear who the front-runner is. Furthermore, things are getting closer to “dire” level with the latest injury to 2023 seventh round pick Antoine Green and his consequent waiver.
Coach Dan Campbell expressed his expectations for that role quite bluntly on Monday night.
Campbell remarked, “We are waiting for somebody to step forward.” “Any one of those guys can come forward at this time. (Donovan Peoples-Jones) DPJ has improved significantly, in my opinion, since the game. I notice it, we all notice it—he is playing quicker. That is encouraging, then. Tre’Quan Smith, Kaden Davis, and (Daurice) Fountain are all desperate for someone to come forward and introduce themselves. You can trust me, I am the one. I will play every day with the same consistency and find a way to capitalize on the opportunities that present themselves.
During Monday’s practice, that inconsistency was once more evident. Although Fountain still mostly plays with the first team offense, he had two significant drops that day, including a
brought in bombs in a row during one-on-one exercises, but the output did not translate to team exercises.
Naturally, it is crucial to keep in mind Kalif Raymond, one of the team’s most reliable players. He is a given for the starting lineup, and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson himself said that he will play a “big part” in the attack. However, Johnson added that Raymond is not a big-bodied receiver, and they would rather have one in that X position.
The Lions have started to start Raymond more frequently in recent days, but it usually means displacing Amon-Ra St. Brown from the slot, away from his most
hazardous location. However, if no player comes out of Detroit is depth, the Lions might be without other options.hazardous location. However, if no player comes out of Detroit is depth, the Lions might be without other options.
