The Detroit Lions spent a fourth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on Amon-Ra St. Brown. Despite being a fourth-round pick, the former USC receiver has become a fantasy star. He had a productive rookie season, totaling 90 receptions on 119 targets for 912 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
Despite his productive rookie season, St. Brown wasn’t a popular breakout candidate last season. Yet, the former USC receiver became a fantasy star. He had 106 receptions on 146 targets for 1,161 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Furthermore, the second-year star was the WR8 last season, averaging 13.4 fantasy points per contest.
St. Brown has become the No. 1 wide receiver for the Lions. However, what can fantasy players expect from the rest of the team’s wide receiver core in 2023?
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What Did The Lions Wide Receivers Accomplish Last Year?
Unfortunately, Detroit didn’t get consistent production from anyone in their wide receiver unit. However, Kalif Raymond finished second on the team among wide receivers in receptions (47), targets (64), and receiving yards (616).
Meanwhile, Josh Reynolds earned more of a role later in the season. The veteran wide receiver had 38 receptions on 59 targets for 479 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 14 games. Furthermore, he finished second on the team among wide receivers in receiving touchdowns.
D.J. Chark signed a one-year deal with the Lions last offseason but barely made an impact. He had 30 receptions on 52 targets for 502 receiving yards and three touchdowns in 11 games last year. However, the veteran signed with the Carolina Panthers this offseason.
While the loss of Chark wasn’t significant, Detroit signed Marvin Jones Jr. in free agency. The veteran receiver spent five years with the Lions from 2015 through 2020. Last year he had 46 receptions on 81 targets for 529 receiving yards and three touchdowns with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Who Is The Lions WR2 With Jameson Williams Suspended?
The Lions have their No. 2 wide receiver on the roster after using a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft on Jameson Williams. However, the former Alabama star only played in six games last year because of a torn ACL. He had only one reception on nine targets for 41 receiving yards and a touchdown as a rookie.
Unfortunately, things got worse for Williams this offseason. The second-year receiver will miss the first six games this year because of a suspension.
With Williams out the first six weeks, the Lions will use a combination of their veteran wide receivers to fill the void. Unfortunately, fantasy players should avoid drafting any Detroit wide receivers not named St. Brown.
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