The Detroit Lions have been banking on Calvin Johnson now for several years, but lately his future has been put into question. When the Lions were still in the market to re-sign Ndamukong Suh, Johnson was one of the players considered trade bait in order to make room for the defensive end's contract. Suh was not signed and Johnson was not either. However, are the Lions now eyeing wide receivers early in the draft?
While no one is doubting the talent level of Johnson, the Lions are looking at wide receivers in the first two rounds to help Matthew Stafford in 2015. According to the Detroit Free Press, the Lions are not trading up for players like Amari Cooper or Kevin White, but Phillip Dorsett, DeVante Parker and Breshad Perriman could easily be targets with the No. 23 pick in the draft. Johnson has faced injuries over the past two years, missing a handful of games each season. While he and Golden Tate are the top options for Stafford, talent drops off after that. Getting a young receiver in the mix could easily elevate the offense.
NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah makes the case for the Lions to select a running back in the first round of the draft if Detroit can get their hands on someone like Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon. Some believe Gurley could go in the top ten, but the jury is still out on where Gordon or someone like TJ Yeldon will fall. Someone will be around when Detroit drafts first and they would be wise to take a look.
The Lions released Reggie Bush in the offseason and are banking on the improvement of Joique Bell and Theo Riddick. Bell has proven that he is capable of carrying the workload for the Lions and head coach Jim Caldwell has voiced his confidence in the running back, but getting someone in like Gordon or Gurley will give the Lions a solid one-two punch on the ground that could really help Stafford improve this season.
Along with a running back and wide receiver, the other first-round option the Lions could eye is an offensive lineman. While last year was deep at the position, this season it is not getting the same amount of attention. All of these offensive will mean nothing if the Lions cannot protect Stafford so if other options are taken by the time Detroit drafts, a lineman is a safe bet.
