Detroit Lions 2010 Breakdown - It's Time To Talk Our Favorite Position, Wide Receiver

Somehow Detroit is looking at it's deepest wide receiver group in years, which is absolutely insane considering that Matt Millen was willing to trade half the team so he could move up and draft one he liked. But after bringing in Bryant Johnson and Nate Burleson over the past two off-seasons and then doing a little addition by subtraction, by sending Roy Williams to the Cowboys, the Lions receiving core could be an asset instead of a liability for the first time in a long time.

1. Calvin Johnson


I love comparing athletes to animals and if the rest of NFL receivers were deer Calvin Johnson would be an Elk. The combination of size, speed, and grace is unlike anything that the NFL has seen before and it's time for Megatron to finally have the breakout year that we've all been waiting for. No one will deny that he's an absolute beast, but I for one have been underwhelmed by his inability to get open and bring down the few jump balls that actually make it into the realm of catchability. And I understand that he's played on an 0-16 team that was down so big and so early every game that he was running into prevent coverage 95% of the time, but if he is the second coming of Randy Moss then it's time he starts putting up seasons like Randy had real early on in Minnesota. With a more well balanced offense and a quarterback who hopefully can make the right decisions, I think we can honestly expect a 1,400 yard and 12 TD season outta Calvin. That is assuming his back issues don't slow him down at all.


2. Nate Burleson


Nate is gonna be a huge addition to this team if his knee can hold out. After missing a lot of time lately he's got something to prove, especially when he's at the bank cashing those 5 million dollar checks he's getting each year for the next half a decade. But Nate has proven that he can be an explosive and reliable receiver. I don't expect to see him dropping balls and talking shit about how good he is like my boy Roy Williams was so good at. He's got an excellent demeanour and is a good clubhouse guy that will hopefully keep this bunch from getting too uptight. He's a solid #2 option for Stafford and will undoubtably take some of the load off of Calvin.


3. Bryant Johnson


Jury is still out on Johnson after a disappointing season last year where he all but disappeared at times. This year however needs to be and should be much different for him. He's gonna have nobody covering him and if he channels that one decent year he had in San Fran then he should come down with his fair share of catches and touchdowns. I'd like to say a 500 yard and 4 TD season isn't outta the question for B Johnson. And that ain't that bad for a Lions' #3 wideout.

4. Dennis Northcutt


It's hard to talk shit about a guy who was the only guy on the receiving core who was making plays, or even trying for that matter last year. He should get most of the playing time as the fourth wide out and has the ability to make catches. Just don't expect him to step up and be a #1 or #2 type guy if everyone above him gets hurt.

5. Tim Toone


I know I'm gonna catch some shit for this but I have major issues with any white dude who has dreads. With that being said, that doesn't mean Toone won't make an impact this year for the Lions. He had a shit ton of receptions for Weber State and was probably an even better return man. I'm not that sure his speed alone will be enough to a game changer in the NFL but there's a shot that if he gets to return some kicks he could make things happen. Look for him every now and again in 4 wide sets and in the return game.

6. Derrick Williams



Two words...cut him. Four more words...worst Mayhew pick ever.

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