The Detroit Lions had one of the league’s most dangerous wide receiver combos in 2024, with All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown picking apart defenses from the slit and speedy Jameson Williams testing them deep.
But the team’swide receiving corps is more than just the sum of its top two parts, with a deep core of receivers expected to compete for roles in 2025. One insider believes that the team’s depth at wide receiver could lead to one of the newest additions, seventh-round draft pick Dominic Lovett, facing a big challenge in making the final roster.
Dominic Lovett ‘Scrapping’ for Roster Spot
Jeff Risdon of USA Today’s Lions Wire noted that the Lions are set at the top of their depth chart, with St. Brown and Williams leading the way ahead of Kalif Raymond, Tim Patrick, and third-round rookie Isaac TeSlaa.
He noted that Lovett also brings a strong skill set, but could be stuck behind another similar wide receiver on the depth chart.
“There are a few newcomers who are scrapping for roster spots too,” Risdon wrote. “Chief among them is seventh-round rookie Dominic Lovett. As a receiver, Lovett appears eminently redundant with Raymond as an undersized outside speedster without a lot of proven variety to his game. Is there room for both? We’re about to find out…”
Lovett proved to be a steady and reliable wide receiver in college, amassing more than 2,200 yards with 13 touchdowns across four seasons split between Missouri and Georgia. Lovett’s pre-draft profile from NFL.com projected that he has the ability to grow into an average starter in the league.
“Lovett is as smooth as churned butter with an effortless glide and easy transitions inside his route,” wrote NFL.com draft expert Lance Zierlein. “He’s a slender slot who can slip by press but has trouble dealing with physical coverage at times. A heavy percentage of his targets came within a few yards of the line of scrimmage, but he’s capable of expanding his sphere of influence as a pass catcher.”
More Receivers Competing to Make Lions’ Roster
Risdon noted that Lovett will have some competition to make the final roster in Detroit, including some familiar faces like Tom Kennedy.
“Ronnie Bell, Malik Taylor, undrafted rookies Jakobie Keeney-James and Jackson Meeks and the inimitable Tom Kennedy are all in the mix, too,” Risdon wrote. “Kennedy gets counted out every summer, yet here he is for a sixth straight offseason. This brewing battle for (likely) practice squad spots is quietly one of the most intriguing facets of Lions camp and preseason, where these aspirants figure to get considerable opportunities to prove they can be the one who can.”
Lovett could be a top candidate for the practice squad, especially given his youth and relatively low draft position. But if he should perform well in training camp, it could put the Lions in a difficult position as other teams may be more likely to put in a waiver claim if Detroit aims to put him through to the practice squad. That could ultimately give him an advantage over players like Kennedy, who has been added to the practice squad in the past with no problems.
