<
        >

          NFL Nation

          Lions draft outlook: Wide receivers

          • Michael Rothstein, ESPN Staff WriterJan 22, 2014, 03:00 PM ET
            Close
              Michael Rothstein is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Rothstein covers the Atlanta Falcons. You can follow him via Twitter @MikeRothstein.
            Follow on X

          Two of the major college all-star games took place last Saturday. The Senior Bowl happens this Saturday with practices all week.

          Many of the players selected in May’s draft will come from these three games or from underclassmen who decided the time was right to turn professional. Over the next two weeks, pairing with our position outlook series, we’ll take a quick preview look at some names to become familiar with over the next four months as the NFL draft process crawls along.

          Today continues with wide receivers, one of the biggest positions of need for Detroit heading into this offseason. It is plausible to see two receivers taken by the team in this draft if things line up correctly.

          Previous looks: Quarterbacks; Running backs.

          NFLPA game:

          • Isaiah Burse (5-10 3/8, 183, Fresno State). Caught four passes for 50 yards in the game. Had 99 catches for 1,026 yards and six touchdowns this season. No. 71 receiver from ESPN.

          Shrine Game:

          • Jeremy Gallon (5-8 1/4, 189, Michigan). Had four catches for 55 yards in the all-star game. The slot receiver had 89 catches for 1,373 yards and nine touchdowns this season.

          • Chandler Jones (5-8 1/2, 175, San Jose State). Had seven catches for 73 yards in the game. Grabbed 79 catches for 1,356 yards and 15 touchdowns this season.

          Senior Bowl prospects:

          • Jordan Matthews (6-3, 206, Vanderbilt, No. 87 South). The possible first round pick (No. 4 receiver overall) had 112 catches for 1,477 yards and seven touchdowns last season after 94 receptions, 1,323 yards and eight touchdowns his junior year.

          • Mike Davis (6-2, 195, Texas, No. 1 South). Had 51 catches for 727 yards and eight touchdowns. No. 22 wide receiver.

          • Jalen Saunders (5-9, 157, Oklahoma, No. 8 South). Had 61 receptions for 729 yards and eight touchdowns. No. 24 wide receiver.

          • Shaq Evans (6-1, 204, UCLA, No. 80 North). Had 47 catches for 709 yards and nine touchdowns this season. No. 30 wide receiver.

          • Jared Abbrederis (6-2, 190, Wisconsin, No. 84 North). No. 16 wide receiver. Had 78 catches for 1,081 yards and seven touchdowns.

          • Kevin Norwood (6-2, 195, Alabama, No. 83 South). Had 38 catches for 568 yards and seven touchdowns. No. 40 wide receiver.

          Others not in major all-star games:

          • Sammy Watkins (6-0 1/2, 205, Clemson). Had 101 catches for 1,464 yards and 12 touchdowns. No. 1 wide receiver in the draft.

          • Marqise Lee (6-0, 195, USC). Had 57 catches for 791 yards and four touchdowns last season. Standout sophomore year, where he had 118 catches for 1,721 yards and 14 touchdowns. No. 2 wide receiver.

          • Mike Evans (6-4, 220, Texas A&M). Had 69 catches for 1,394 yards and 12 touchdowns. No. 3 wide receiver.

          • Kelvin Benjamin (6-4 3/4, 233, Florida State). Had 54 catches for 1,011 yards and 15 touchdowns. No. 5 receiver.

          • Allen Robinson (6-3, 210, Penn State). Had 97 catches for 1,432 yards and six touchdowns. No. 6 receiver.

          • Paul Richardson (6-1, 170, Colorado). Had 83 catches for 1,343 yards and 10 touchdowns. No. 7 receiver.

          • Bruce Ellington (5-9, 196, South Carolina). Had 49 catches for 775 yards and eight touchdowns. No. 19 receiver.

          • Martavis Bryant (6-5, 200, Clemson). Had 42 catches for 828 yards and seven touchdowns. No. 15 receiver.

          • Brandon Coleman (6-5 1/4, 220, Rutgers). Had 34 catches for 538 yards and four touchdowns. No. 13 receiver.