Despite having an array of offensive weapons, the Detroit Lions continue to be linked to the top wide receivers in the upcoming NFL Draft. Numerous mock drafts link the Lions to a trade up with the St. Louis Rams in order to get the best pass catcher available. There is no question that Matthew Stafford needs more help this season if Detroit is going to get to the postseason and newly signed Golden Tate says if a wide receiver helps with the effort than he is all for it.
A trade up for someone like Sammy Watkins or Mike Evans could really blow Detroit's draft. The team would have to move up to the No. 2 pick if they want either player and will have to give up a lot in order to get there. The Atlanta Falcons made a similar move a few years ago for Julio Jones and gave up three picks to do so. Are the Lions willing to make that risk? Tate believes it could be worth it.
"Hey, the more the merrier. A lot of respect for Sammy Watkins. I think he's going to play a long time regardless of where he goes. I think he'd be a great addition to this offense, another deep threat for sure, another complement to myself, Calvin [Johnson], [Kevin] Ogletree, [Jeremy] Ross and the other guys in the locker room," Tate said, via Detroit's CBS affiliate. "We have a lot of explosive players, and if we can get another one, that just makes us better."
The newly signed wide receiver is embracing the idea of adding more offensive weapons if that is what it takes to win. Not concerned about yardage numbers or targets on the field, Tate says he simply wants to win. Already with Calvin Johnson on the roster, Watkins or Evans would step in as the third man in the rotation, taking attention away from the two other stars.
Watkins has requested Detroit trade up for him. He notes that it would simply be an honor to play alongside Johnson and Tate. The Lions might take him up on that idea. With the No. 10 pick, Detroit cannot get Watkins. However, the Rams are liking the idea of moving down and could call the Lions for a deal.
As offseason workouts begin, Tate and is building chemistry right away with Stafford. Impressed with the quarterback's talent, Tate simply wants to be a part of the best offense in the NFL
"We're kind of trying to play catch-up with the new coaching staff and the new playbook, so we're trying to learn it as quick as we can and then, as we do that, work on the details," Tate said. "We have a lot of talent in this offense and really in this building. So we're trying to make the most of it early. If you watched practice today, every one of us was running out there, working hard, trying to get better, trying to put this organization in position to win games consistently."