Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports that the Detroit Lions are showing a “ton of interest” in Clemson WR Sammy Watkins.
Justin Rogers of MLive.com reported earlier in the day that Lions GM Martin Mayhew and new HC Jim Caldwell were both on hand for Clemson’s pro day on Thursday.
- Rogers added that their primary focus was “undoubtedly” on Watkins.
Watkins is considered by many draft experts to be the best receiver in this year’s draft class, and his performance on Thursday left many evaluators impressed with his overall ability.
The Lions currently hold the No. 10 overall pick, so it’s hard to say that he would be available to them by the time they are on the clock. Detroit may have to consider trading up with someone like the Raiders who are reportedly looking to acquire more draft picks this year.
Watkins and Calvin Johnson could make for a formidable pair of receivers to contend with in the coming years.
We have the Lions selecting Texas A&M WR Mike Evans in the first-round of our most recent 2014 NFL Mock Draft.
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TAKE MIKE EVANS!! the dude is HUGE and will be the better PRO. Him and Calvin would be the #1 rec. duo in the NFL from day 1….
Its a ploy, the Lions aren’t trading up and if anything they are trading down. They might have been there looking at everyone like they’re supposed to be doing. I’m sure they don’t have tunnel vision on Watkins.
I agree with you that it makes more sense to move back than to trade up for a WR in the deepest receiver class in years. We had to mention something given that Rapoport had such a definitive report.
This draft is overflowing with talented WRs. There’s absolutely no reason to give up draft picks to get one.
I don’t know, depends on what they believe the difference between evans and watkins is
Not sold on Evans… he got open because Johnny Football was scrambling all over the place, not because he gets good separation. Stafford is not a scrambler, and his quick release style requires guys who can get open quickly. Evans is a good receiver, but he’s not a good fit for the Lions. I can’t see him and Stafford ever being on the same page.
The Lions can draft Watkins, but it won’t make a difference when facing defenses like the ones in SF and Seattle. They could simply apply pressure and collapse the pocket while Stafford is trying to find the open WR. As usual, defense wins championships. Denver versus Seattle was a prime example of that.
As the previous posters have mentioned, the Lions should focus on other areas rather than trading up to get a WR. They could probably select a solid WR in round two.
This is nonsense, good teams win championships. When Calvin is taken away, we had no receivers on offense. That and we had one of the best offensive lines in football last year
Collapse the pocket? Have you watched the Lions play? Stafford gets rid of the ball very quickly, and the O line is one of the best pass blocking units in the league.
Please don’t. We need depth more then anything on this team and surrendering draft picks is a good way to put this franchise back even further.