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Detroit Lions initial draft outlook: Receivers

The college all-star games are coming up in the next two weeks with the NFL combine on the horizon in February.

Many players taken by teams in May will play in one of the three games for seniors or from the underclassmen pool. During the next two weeks, along with our positional outlooks, we’ll give a few names to pay attention to over the next month. Remember, these lists will be fluid as the draft process continues.

Previous outlooks: Quarterbacks; Running backs.

Shrine Game

East No. 98 Devin Gardner, Michigan (6-foot-4, 216 pounds): Not rated by ESPN as a wide receiver. He’s an intriguing prospect because of his size, but his hands and speed will need to be proven. He’s going to be a project for a team because he played quarterback at Michigan the majority of his career. Could be a late-round pick.

East No. 88 Darren Waller, Georgia Tech (6-6, 240): Rated as the No. 19 receiver by ESPN. Didn’t have big numbers in a triple-option offense, but caught 26 passes for 442 yards and six touchdowns as a senior. Like Gardner, his size is intriguing.

West No. 29 Austin Hill, Arizona (6-3, 215): Rated as the No. 11 receiver by ESPN. His numbers dipped because of a move to tight end in 2014 (49 receptions, 635 yards) but he caught 81 passes for 1,364 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2012. Has an NFL pedigree -- his father, David, played tight end in the NFL, including for the Lions. The season at tight end could make him intriguing because he also has some blocking knowledge.

West No. 12 Jordan Taylor, Rice (6-5, 210): Rated as the No. 28 receiver, Taylor began his career as a quarterback before shifting to receiver. He had 54 catches for 842 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior.

NFLPA Collegiate Bowl

American No. 85 Mario Alford, West Virginia (5-9, 177): Not the prototype for what Detroit wants, but he could be a slot receiver with return ability. He had 65 catches for 945 yards and 11 touchdowns this season and averaged 28.6 yards per kick return, including two touchdowns.

Senior Bowl

Devin Smith, Ohio State (6-1, 198): Rated as the No. 6 receiver by ESPN. He led the Buckeyes in receiving yards (931) and touchdowns (12) this season. His athleticism is impressive, too, as he sprinted and high-jumped with Ohio State’s track team, including jumping 7 feet, 0.25 inches at the Big Ten championships last year.

Ty Montgomery, Stanford (6-1, 215): Might be the best higher-end prospect for Detroit as the No. 7 wide receiver rated by ESPN. Never had a 1,000-yard season, but caught 60 passes in 2013 and 2014. Also has strong return ability, having brought back two punts for touchdowns in 2014. He averaged 25.2 yards a kick return. As a junior, he returned two kicks for touchdowns.

Phillip Dorsett, Miami (5-10, 185): Rated as the No. 13 receiver by ESPN, he only caught 36 passes as a senior for 871 yards (24.2 average) and 10 touchdowns. He has experience as a returner, too, but averaged less than 20 yards per kick return and less than six yards per punt return.

Tyler Lockett, Kansas State (5-11, 175): The No. 16 receiver by ESPN is explosive. He had 1,351 receiving yards in 2014 and nine touchdowns. He has return skills, too, averaging 21.2 yards per kick return and 19 yards per punt return this season – including two touchdowns.

Tony Lippett, Michigan State (6-3, 190): The No. 20 receiver by ESPN, he is a rare two-way player. In addition to being the Big Ten receiver of the year after 65 catches for 1,198 yards and 11 touchdowns, he also played cornerback both early in his career and a senior.

Others

Devin Funchess, Michigan (6-5, 230): Rated as the No. 4 receiver, he moved from tight end to receiver midway through his career. He had 126 catches for 1,715 yards and 15 touchdowns. He’s a somewhat enigmatic player, though, because he has a tendency to drop passes. His 2014 stats are skewed because three of his four touchdown catches came in the season opener against Appalachian State. He also wasn’t helped by iffy quarterback play throughout his career at Michigan.

Nelson Agholor, USC (6-1, 190): Rated as the No. 9 receiver, he had 104 catches for 1,313 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2014. He returned two punts for touchdowns in both 2014 and 2013.