Matthew Stafford had one of the best seasons of his career but that doesn't mean the Detroit Lions quarterback didn't miss his former top receiver, Calvin Johnson.
There's no doubt he did, even if Johnson's retirement forced Stafford to find the open man instead of sometimes pushing the ball to Johnson even when he wasn't open. But now, with a lot of the depth of the receiving corps potentially turning over, what might the Lions do.
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Now to today's question.
@mikerothstein cj was missed the last few weeks of the season. think quinn and the boys stand down or try to + a weapon? #lionsmailbag
— Michael Holleran (@Mike33Holler) February 13, 2017
This is interesting because there was a narrative -- right or not -- for part of the season that the Lions were actually better off without Calvin Johnson. This, to me, always seemed to be a bit off because how a team could be better without a likely Hall of Famer coming off his sixth straight 1,000-yard season seemed impossible.
And in reality, it was.
The Lions were, for the most part, a deeper receiving corps than they have been at almost any time during Matthew Stafford's tenure. That's mostly due to signing Anquan Boldin as the No. 3 receiver and Andre Roberts, a former No. 3 receiver, as the team's No. 4 receiver. So deeper? Sure. Better? No.
That leaves the Lions with a mildly interesting question heading into the free-agency period and the draft. Receiver isn't a top need for Detroit with major questions on the offensive line, defensive line and at linebacker. But it is a need when it comes to depth.
Marvin Jones and Golden Tate are locked in, likely as the team's top two receivers. But it's an unknown whether or not Boldin will return and Roberts is also a free agent. So the Lions, even if it means just bringing in a bunch of depth through the draft and free agency, won't stick with what they have because what they have, right now, are two experienced players and a bunch of question marks.
Detroit is high on Jace Billingsley, but the slot receiver spent most of his rookie year on the practice squad and remains a question mark. TJ Jones has shown flashes, but was buried on the depth chart last year after he was placed on the practice squad to start the season, too.
The other options on the roster right now are just guys. Ryan Spadola spent all season on injured reserve. Andrew Turzilli was on the practice squad and former Packers receiver Jared Abbrederis is on a futures deal. Of those three, Abbrederis has the best chance to make a move, but that would seem unlikely.
So that's a long way of saying, yeah, expect Detroit to do something at receiver. I wouldn't think they would go after any top-level guys because of Jones and Tate. If Boldin does want to play another season, Detroit would likely take a look at him because he played well and was a good chain-mover for Stafford.
Of the free agents out there, here are some intriguing options:
Brandon LaFell was once a Patriots receiver so Bob Quinn is going to be familiar with him. LaFell also had a strong season with 862 receiving yards and six touchdowns for Cincinnati and could be available for a reasonable price at age 30.
Ted Ginn Jr. isn't the most exciting receiver, but he can still stretch the field and work in the slot, where the Lions would likely try to add a No. 3 guy. He also has ability as a returner, which would solve a problem if Roberts ends up elsewhere.
If the Lions want to add a speedster on the outside, Marquise Goodwin could be an intriguing option. He has track-level speed and can stretch the field. If the Lions used Goodwin and Jones on the outside, it would theoretically open up the middle of the field well for Tate, Eric Ebron and Theo Riddick.
Another receiver Quinn would be familiar with is Kamar Aiken, who has been with Baltimore. Aiken, who didn't have a strong 2016, was with the Patriots for part of the 2012 season and in training camp during 2013 so Quinn has seen him in the past. If he liked what he saw, this could be a move the Lions might be able to make somewhat on the cheap.
Kendall Wright, from Tennessee, is a possibility brought up by Bill Barnwell and he could fit as well. He's a former first-round pick who can play in the slot and has 280 career catches for 3,244 yards and 18 touchdowns. His numbers have been unimpressive the past two years -- 11 missed games and two seasons under 450 receiving yards -- so he could be a player the Lions might be able to sign on the cheap that could be a strong contributor if he can regain his form from 2013 when he had 94 catches for 1,079 yards.
When it comes to college receivers, it's likely too early to figure out what Detroit might do there, but it wouldn't be surprising to see the Lions add a receiver in the draft or do what they did last season, which is bring in multiple high-level priority undrafted free agents at the position in an attempt to develop them.
But before any of this can occur, figure Detroit will make decisions on Boldin and Roberts and proceed from there.