The Detroit Lions have a wide receiver problem. It’s mostly a bad receiver problem, but after Saturday’s preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, they also have a good problem.
The bad problem is they’re severely lacking outside receivers. They pretty much have Jameson Williams and not much else. Amon-Ra St. Brown can play on the outside and so can Kalif Raymond, but both are better at the slot. Donovan Peoples-Jones and Daurice Fountain have failed to produce this preseason, and it’s hard to justify a roster spot for either.
The good problem the Lions may have is that Isaiah Williams is starting to separate himself from the receiver depth. Through two preseason games, he has 10 catches for 106 yards, and has flashed as a returner (fumble aside).
Why is that a problem? Well, because the Lions already have two efficient players at slot receiver (St. Brown, Raymond), and they already have their returner (Raymond). That makes it hard to justify giving Williams a roster spot, given that he wouldn’t really have a role on game days.
Even coach Dan Campbell addressed this conundrum while complimenting Williams for his preseason Game 2 performance.
“We always put stock in the guys who are making plays, you know? And he does. He is making plays,” Campbell said. “Now, that’s in the slot, which is where he excels. That’s where his game is suited for and he’s making the most of it. That’s what’s hard a little bit is, man, he is a football player, he is making plays, but we’ve got Saint, we’ve got Leaf, and so where does that fit? Some of it might need to be, well, can we put him outside? What can he do at Z? Is that a possibility? Can he survive out there?”
So today’s Question of the Day is:
Should Isaiah Williams make the 53-man roster?
My answer: I’m not going to give you a fully fleshed-out answer, because I’m incredibly torn on this topic. But here are things to consider:
- Beware of the productive preseason receiver. A lot of WRs who never made it in Detroit led them in preseason receiving yards.
- Williams did rep way higher this week compared to previous weeks, suggesting he’s rising up the depth chart.
- Per PFF, 16 of his 36 snaps on Saturday came on the outside.
- Several slot WRs clear through waivers every year.
- This coaching staff certainly seems to favor players who actually earn spots over prioritizing a specific position.
I’m torn, but I’m very curious about what you all think. Vote in the poll below, and make your argument in the comment section at the bottom of the page.
