Lions Predicted to Part Ways With Talented WR After 7 Seasons in Detroit
The Detroit Lions have overhauled their team since bringing on head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes in early 2021, turning over almost their entire roster and growing into a Super Bowl contender.
There are a few exceptions who survived the roster purge, including one talented wide receiver who has returned to Detroit for several stints on the practice squad but could now find himself on the wrong side of the roster bubble.
End of the Line for Tom Kennedy
Christian Booher of SI.com offered an early prediction of the team’s final 53-man roster, predicting the team would keep six wide receivers but part ways with veteran Tom Kennedy. The 28-year-old has been on and off of the roster, re-joining the Lions over six seasons before signing a futures contract in January to return for a seventh.
As ESPN reported, Kennedy earned buzz in college as a multi-sport athlete, playing both lacrosse and football at Bryant University. Before coming into the NFL, he was drafted by the Boston Cannons of Major League Lacrosse in 2018. Kennedy signed with the Lions the following year, making him the first person to play in the NFL and a professional lacrosse league.
Booher predicted that the Lions would continue leaning on All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown, with Jameson Williams and veteran Tim Patrick and Kalif Raymond also playing important roles in the offense.
“The Lions have a solid nucleus of talent at the wide receiver position, with St. Brown leading the way while looking to put together his third-straight All-Pro season,” Booher wrote. “He’s joined by Williams, who is once again expected to have a huge year, and a pair of veterans in Patrick and Raymond.”
Rookie Isaac TeSlaa, who was drafted after the Lions traded up in the third round, could also make a strong bid or a big role, Booher added.
“TeSlaa and [Dominic] Lovett add unique skill sets to the group as well,” he wrote. “TeSlaa is a big and fast wideout with great hands, while Lovett is a smaller, shiftier wideout who is consistently a yards-after-catch threat.”
Make-or-Break Season for Jameson Williams
The Lions are looking for big things this season from Williams, who suffered through some ups and downs to start his career with the Lions. After spending most of his season rehabbing an injury suffered in college, Williams has been hit with suspensions in each of the last two years.
Williams has also turned in some strong play, earning praise from head coach Dan Campbell.
“He’s got a ton of growth left, you know? And, you know, he’s listening, he’s had a good spring,” Campbell said of Williams on Friday. “I don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves in OTAs, but, I mean, there’s so much versatility with him. There are so many things that we can do just with his routes on the outside. I mean, we can do things inside, but just with his speed and, he’s, he’s gotten so much stronger, you know.”
The Lions picked up the fifth-year option on the former first-round pick, but they have not committed to a long-term contract yet. That could make this a key season for Williams, who may need to prove himself both on and off the field in order to get a long-term deal.
Related articles
NFL Writer Reveals Justin Fields' Biggest Obstacle With Jets
Alex Ovechkin avoids talking about the goals record to manage expectations and pressure: ‘I’m not planning that far ahead’
Packers Host ‘Violent’ National Champion Run Defender: Report
Cleveland Browns Defender Fires Off Stern Warning to NFLThe Latest
David Njoku Sends Clear Message About Browns Ahead Of Season
The Cleveland Browns are generating buzz as training camp approaches, with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco emerging as the early leader in what promises to be an intriguing position battle. The former Super Bowl MVP has quickly adapted to Kevin Stefanski’s offensive ...
Jahmyr Gibbs gives surprising reasoning for switching jersey number to 0: ‘I hated 26’
Since entering the NFL in 2023, Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs has emerged as one of the most exciting players in the league. While donning the No. 26 jersey, Gibbs has rushed for 2,357 yards and 26 touchdowns in two campaigns with ...
Questionable Commanders signing already backfiring after minicamp injury
The Washington Commanders made a lot of good moves throughout general manager Adam Peters' second offseason in charge. But one questionable decision already looks like it could backfire. Washington gave Michael Gallup a route back into the league after one year in retirement. ...
Lions Predicted to Part Ways With Talented WR After 7 Seasons in Detroit
The Detroit Lions have overhauled their team since bringing on head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes in early 2021, turning over almost their entire roster and growing into a Super Bowl contender. There are a few exceptions who survived the ...
Cowboys Playmaker in Danger of Demotion, Says Analyst
The Dallas Cowboys have plenty of intense position battles on the horizon when training camp begins in a little more than one month. Much has been made about the Cowboys running back battle with so much turnover at the position this offseason. Another ...
