Analyst: In a surprise move, the Lions may land an explosive receiver.
GettyPrior to the draft, Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall paid the Pittsburgh Steelers a visit.
The Detroit Lions lost their No. 2 receiver when Josh Reynolds signed a free agent contract to play for the Denver Broncos. With their first-round pick, the team could be able to replenish the wide receiver position, though.
According to Pro Football Focus analyst Lauren Gray, the Lions are among the teams most likely to spring a surprise by selecting wide receiver Ricky Pearsall of Florida in the first round.
Gray noted that the Lions might take advantage of Pearsall’s second-day draft ranking and select him with the 29th overall choice in order to provide depth to their receiving corps beyond standout receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Ricky Pearsall is praised for being dependable and explosive.
Many teams, including the Buffalo Bills, who pick just ahead of the Lions at No. 28 overall in the first round, may be willing to take a risk on Pearsall, according to Gray’s projections.
Pearsall concluded the season with 963 total yards and 26 first downs garnered from the slot, according to Gray.
Pearsall is regarded as one of the best slot receivers in the draft and is well-liked for his quickness, route-running ability, and steady hands, according to Gray.
While at Florida, he recorded 49 spectacular gains and the fourth-best drop rate (2.8%) among Power Five receivers eligible for the NFL.
Despite Reynolds’ departure, Gray noted, the Lions still have a ton of weapons behind St.
Brown. Second-year speedster Jameson Williams had 433 receiving yards, while rookie tight end Sam LaPorta had 1,065 yards.
Pearsall’s draft standing is rising after a stellar performance at the Senior Bowl, where SI.com named him perhaps the best offensive player present.
Pearsall’s fame grew even more after he did well at the NFL Combine, per the SI.com piece.
Attending the NFL Combine, he provided excellent combine statistics to back up his on-field performance during the Senior Bowl.
Twenty receivers were able to break the coveted 4.40 time, therefore Persall’s 41-second result was ordinary; nonetheless, the report claims that his agility ratings were remarkable.
He finished fifth in the competition with a 42-inch vertical leap, regardless of rank. With a 6.64 3-cone, he finished second overall.
Lions May Think About Exchanging forThe Lions might find another way to help their first-round pick mature into an accomplished wide receiver.
After ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on March 11 that receiver Tee Higgins had requested a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals, The Ringer’s Benjamin Solak suggested that the Lions might take a stab at Higgins and offer their first-round selection.
Lions should be calling 29 overall in a heartbeat, according to Solak.
There can be more objectives in the draft.ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. reports that the Lions may choose Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell with the No. 29 overall pick.
It would be prudent to find a different vertical receiver to support Williams, as Kiper noted that the Lions have addressed their roster very well this offseason and don’t have many holes to fill.
The 6-foot-2 Mitchell displayed tremendous physical tools at the combine, clocking a 4.34-second 40-yard dash. Kiper pointed out.
He scored 11 touchdowns the previous season. Mitchell might seem like a luxury pick, but this team is so skilled that the Lions can afford to take him.
