Ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft (April 24-26 in Green Bay), we’ll be taking a position-by-position look at the Detroit Lions‘ roster and how the team’s needs can be met on draft weekend. Today: Wide receivers.

Current roster outlook

The Lions’ wide receiving corps rose to the occasion again last season. After signing his four-year, $120 million contract last spring, Amon-Ra St. Brown was his ol’ reliable self, making First Team All-Pro for a second straight season behind 115 catches for 1,263 yards for 12 touchdowns.

Jameson Williams, meanwhile, took an emphatic step forward, hauling in 58 catches for 1,001 yards and eight total touchdowns (including one rushing). Veteran Tim Patrick, who’s back on a one-year deal, chipped in 33 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns after signing with Detroit last August. Kalif Raymond made Second Team All-Pro as a returner despite missing five games with a foot injury.

Behind that top four, the Lions also currently roster Antoine Green, Tom Kennedy and Ronnie Bell.

While the receiving room is in good shape for 2025, it might be time to consider 2026 and beyond. Williams is likely to have his fifth-year option picked up, linking him to Detroit for the next two seasons, but general manager Brad Holmes balked at the idea that an extension is in any way imminent. As it stands, keeping Williams on a long-term deal simply might cost too much money. And the 31-year-old Patrick, while providing good value, is not a lock to be around for the long haul, making now a good time for Detroit to start shopping.

Level of need: Medium

The Lions’ receiver group projects to be one of their strongest positions in 2025, but it’s never too early to start thinking about the future when there are so many other financial commitments to make. While the ideal complement to St. Brown and Williams is a big-bodied X receiver, Williams’ uncertain future in Detroit would suggest that most archetypes will be on the table as early as Round 1.

At the top

Compared to last year, when three receivers came off the board in the first nine picks, this year’s receiving class doesn’t have as much blue-chip talent at the top.

Travis Hunter (Colorado) almost certainly will be the first skill-position player off the board. While some believe the two-way Heisman winner should play cornerback at the next level, it’s hard to deny his talent as a receiver. Right behind him, Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona), who finished third in receiving yards (1,319) last season, has the chance to be a top-five pick after being named a consensus All-American.

There’s a bit of a gap between those two and the next tier of receivers with first-round potential. Matthew Golden (Texas), Luther Burden III (Missouri) and Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) are the three players with the most first-round buzz. As we get closer to the draft, it seems Golden has an excellent chance to be the next receiver off the board, with some mocks having him in the top 15.

Egbuka, a Buckeyes captain coming off a national title win, might be slightly redundant in Detroit, as he profiles similarly to St. Brown.

So we’ve got Burden, who suffered from poor quarterback play after exploding onto the scene in 2023 (1,212 yards, nine touchdowns), circled as the receiver who’s most likely to end up with the Lions as a first-round pick.

Ultimately, this might not be the best year to add a receiver at the end of Round 1.

Teams who could be after a WR in Round 1

Cleveland Browns (No. 2), New York Giants (3), New England Patriots (4), Las Vegas Raiders (6), New York Jets (7), Carolina Panthers (8), New Orleans Saints (9), Dallas Cowboys (12), Arizona Cardinals (16), Seattle Seahawks (18), Denver Broncos (20), Los Angeles Chargers (22), Green Bay Packers (23), Houston Texans (25), Washington Commanders (29), Buffalo Bills (30), Kansas City Chiefs (31).

Down the board

We’ll have to see how the board shakes out in Round 1, but the best chance to find a quality receiver will probably come on Days 2 and 3. Again, it’s not as sexy of a class at the top, but like in most years, there’s a plethora of players projected as middle-round picks who will end up hitting at the next level.

Iowa State’s tandem of Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins are near the top of that list after both going for more than 1,100 yards last season. The college teammates have vastly different profiles, with Noel (5-foot-11, 200 pounds) projecting as a slot receiver and Higgins (6-foot-4, 214 pounds) looking like a guy who can consistently create his own shot on the outside.

Tre Harris (Ole Miss), another big-bodied X (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) will also be in the mix to be one of the first players off the board in Round 2, with sneaky potential as a late first-rounder. The stock of Jack Bech (TCU) has been on the rise since his excellent Senior Bowl performance, and he’d be a solid addition to what the Lions already have. Jalen Royals (Utah State), Elic Ayomanor (Stanford), Tory Horton (Colorado State) and Savion Williams (TCU) round out the potential Day 2 picks who’d be a good fit in Detroit’s room.

On Day 3, a handful of players will probably draw some attention from the Lions. Nick Nash (San Jose State) led the nation in receiving touchdowns (16) and was second in receiving yards (1,382) and receptions (104). 6-foot-3 Pat Bryant (Illinois) hauled in 10 touchdowns last season, tied with Egbuka for 13th in the nation. Maryland’s Tai Felton (6-foot-2) was a reliable target, catching 96 passes (tied for fourth in the country) for 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns.

Time to target

Holmes never has been the type of GM to prioritize positional value or team needs, instead opting to draft the best player available. From that standpoint, seeing the Lions draft a receiver in Round 1 wouldn’t be surprising. But with so many talented offensive and defensive lineman available, it seems unlikely that a receiver will be the best player available at pick No. 28.

Expect the Lions to really enter the mix for a receiver on Day 2, with Day 3 presenting some intriguing options if Detroit spends its top picks on other positions.