Matthew Stafford is about to sign a new contract extension that will cement him as the face of the Detroit Lions for years to come. As the team continues to work out a long-term deal for the quarterback, they are also working on surrounding him with offensive weapons to help him succeed. After the team acquired Reggie Bush to handle the run game, they are looking to the NFL draft for more talent. Stafford is voicing his opinion on who the Lions should draft, hoping for a wide receiver.
Stafford already has the best wide receiver in the game in Calvin Johnson who will only continue to get better. However, that is not enough for the former No.1 draft pick. As the Lions consider all of their draft options, Stafford is requesting another receiver to pair alongside Johnson.
"With what we have on our roster right now, I'd say somebody that could stretch the field. In the NFL, more and more today, everybody is looking for that. It doesn't matter if you're playing opposite of Calvin Johnson or not, you want somebody that can run. This is a game about speed," Stafford told mlive.com.
Outside of Johnson and his 1,964 yards in 2012, the Lions have lacked some consistency in the receiver position. They released troubled Titus Young who only produced 338 yards last season. Ryan Broyles has had injury issues, but still managed 320 yards. The team needs another big threat.
Lucky for Stafford, Detroit just wrapped up a visit with West Virginia receiver Tavon Austin. The Lions will draft No. 5 overall. Austin is projected as a mid-first round option and will certainly be available if the team decides to go offense with their first pick. In 2012, Austin had 1,289 yards and 12 touchdowns. He set an Orange Bowl record with four touchdown receptions during the Mountaineers 70-33 win.
If the Lions go defense with their first draft pick, there is still a lot of quality at wide receiver that will be available in later rounds. Detroit also brought in USC's Robert Woods and Tennessee receivers Cordarelle Patterson and Justin Hunter to work out and be considered as options. All three receivers have a good chance at being around in the second round. Patterson is the only other receiver considered to have a chance at being taken in the first round.
The Lions will certainly listen to Stafford's request. The offensive line and the cornerback position are two other areas of need for Detroit, but if Stafford wants a receiver then the Lions will get one at some point.