2025 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions Could Be Eyeing Late-Round Receiver Steal

Introduction

As the Detroit Lions continue to build a roster poised for sustained success, they find themselves on the cusp of establishing a dynamic and explosive offense. With the continued development of quarterback Jared Goff, the evolution of the offensive line, and a running game that’s beginning to click, the Lions could be just one key addition away from becoming one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFC.

One area where they may look to add depth and talent in the 2025 NFL Draft is the wide receiver position. While the Lions already have a solid group of receivers led by Amon-Ra St. Brown, they could still use another playmaker, particularly one who could contribute early and provide a long-term boost to their aerial attack. While it’s clear that Detroit will likely target some top-tier wide receivers in the first few rounds, there’s a possibility they could find a diamond in the rough—a late-round wide receiver steal that could contribute significantly to their offense.

In this preview, we’ll examine several wide receivers who could fall to the later rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft and may pique the interest of Lions’ general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell. These players possess raw talent, intriguing upside, and qualities that could make them ideal fits for Detroit’s offense.

1. Tyler Williams – University of Georgia

Height: 6’3”
Weight: 215 lbs
2024 Stats: 55 receptions, 900 yards, 10 touchdowns
Draft Projection: 4th-5th Round

Overview

Tyler Williams from the University of Georgia may be one of the most underrated wide receivers in the 2025 NFL Draft class. Despite playing in a system that heavily favors the running game, Williams has showcased his ability to make explosive plays on the outside. His combination of size, strength, and speed makes him a potential mismatch for opposing defensive backs.

Strengths:

• Size and Physicality: At 6’3” and 215 pounds, Williams is a big-bodied receiver who can physically dominate defensive backs, especially in contested catch situations.
• Downfield Speed: Despite his larger frame, Williams has excellent speed and can stretch the field, making him a deep threat on the outside.
• Ball Tracking and Catch Radius: Williams excels at tracking the ball in the air and has a large catch radius, which is a valuable asset for quarterbacks looking for a reliable red-zone target.
• High-Pointing the Ball: One of his most impressive skills is his ability to go up and win jump balls, particularly in critical situations such as third downs and in the end zone.

Fit with the Lions:

The Lions already have a well-established target in Amon-Ra St. Brown, but adding another big-body receiver with downfield speed could complement their offense. Williams could offer another option in the red zone and provide a big play threat in the passing game, especially as a vertical threat. The Lions would benefit from his physicality and ability to win contested catches, making him an intriguing late-round steal.

2. Chase Turner – University of Oklahoma

Height: 6’1”
Weight: 205 lbs
2024 Stats: 72 receptions, 1,100 yards, 8 touchdowns
Draft Projection: 5th-6th Round

Overview

Chase Turner is an all-around wide receiver who has shown exceptional versatility during his time at Oklahoma. While he may not have the elite physical traits of some first-round receivers, Turner’s high football IQ and route-running ability make him a player to watch in the middle rounds. He has the potential to be a reliable target in both short and intermediate routes and possesses excellent hands.

Strengths:

• Route Running: Turner is one of the best route runners in this draft class. His crisp, clean routes allow him to separate from defenders and gain separation at all levels of the field.
• Hands and Ball Security: Turner has reliable hands, often making difficult catches in traffic and securing the ball in high-pressure situations.
• YAC Ability (Yards After Catch): Once Turner has the ball in his hands, he can make defenders miss and rack up additional yards. His agility and vision allow him to create extra opportunities after the catch.
• Quick Release off the Line: Turner’s quickness at the line of scrimmage allows him to gain instant separation, especially in short-yardage and quick-strike situations.

Fit with the Lions:

The Lions’ offense is built on a mix of quick strikes, intermediate passing, and dynamic players who can contribute after the catch. Turner could excel in this scheme, as his ability to separate with precise route-running and turn short passes into big gains would complement the quick-pass strategy. He would likely be a reliable target on third downs and in situations where the Lions need to move the chains.

3. Xavier Cooper – University of Washington

Height: 6’4”
Weight: 215 lbs
2024 Stats: 68 receptions, 1,250 yards, 12 touchdowns
Draft Projection: 6th-7th Round

Overview

Xavier Cooper is a big-bodied receiver who showed flashes of dominance during his time at Washington. He has solid speed and a good understanding of how to use his size to gain separation from defenders. Cooper’s ability to make acrobatic catches and win contested balls makes him an intriguing option in the later rounds.

Strengths:

• Physical Tools: Cooper has all the physical tools that NFL teams covet in a wide receiver—size, speed, and strength. He has the ability to compete against larger cornerbacks and can use his size to box out defenders.
• Contested Catch Ability: Cooper has been known for his ability to make impressive catches in tight coverage, showcasing solid concentration and body control.
• Red-Zone Threat: His size and ability to high-point the ball make him a dangerous weapon in the red zone.
• Quickness off the Line: Cooper is surprisingly quick off the line of scrimmage for his size, which allows him to gain separation against smaller defensive backs.

Fit with the Lions:

The Lions could certainly use a player like Cooper, who could be a valuable asset in the red zone and in contested catch situations. While Amon-Ra St. Brown will likely continue to be the team’s top target, Cooper could become a valuable secondary weapon, especially in short-yardage situations and for jump-ball scenarios. His size would give Jared Goff a reliable target when the Lions need to move the ball in tight spaces.

4. Leo Watkins – University of Arkansas

Height: 5’11”
Weight: 195 lbs
2024 Stats: 85 receptions, 1,200 yards, 9 touchdowns
Draft Projection: 5th-6th Round

Overview

Leo Watkins is one of the most intriguing late-round wide receivers in the 2025 class. Despite being undersized compared to some of the other top prospects, Watkins plays much bigger than his measurements suggest. He has a great ability to separate with quickness and excels at tracking deep balls over his shoulder.

Strengths:

• Speed: Watkins has elite speed and is a true vertical threat, capable of stretching the field and getting open deep.
• Quickness and Agility: His short-area quickness allows him to change direction on a dime, making him tough to cover in the short and intermediate routes.
• Vertical Threat: Watkins’ ability to track deep passes makes him an excellent option for stretching the defense.
• Smart with the Ball in His Hands: Watkins understands how to use his agility to avoid tacklers and make defenders miss in the open field.

Fit with the Lions:

Watkins would bring another dimension to the Lions’ passing attack as a deep threat. His speed and separation ability would complement the more possession-based route-running of Amon-Ra St. Brown. With Jared Goff’s ability to throw deep accurately, Watkins could become a vertical threat for the Lions, adding yet another element to their offense.

5. Eli Johnson – University of Miami

Height: 6’2”
Weight: 210 lbs
2024 Stats: 60 receptions, 900 yards, 8 touchdowns
Draft Projection: 6th-7th Round

Overview

Eli Johnson is a versatile and tough wide receiver who possesses good size and decent speed. He has shown the ability to make key catches in clutch moments, particularly on third down and in the red zone. Johnson’s combination of physicality and willingness to block makes him an intriguing option as a late-round pick.

Strengths:

• Physicality and Toughness: Johnson is known for his ability to fight through contact and make tough catches in traffic.
• Blocking Skills: Johnson is an excellent blocker, which could make him an asset in the Lions’ run-heavy offense.
• Red-Zone Capability: His size and strength make him a reliable target in the red zone, where his ability to win contested catches could make him a valuable weapon.
• Route Running: While not elite in terms of speed, Johnson runs sharp routes and knows how to gain separation, particularly in short-yardage situations.

Fit with the Lions:

Johnson could be an ideal addition to the Lions’ roster as a physical, tough wide receiver who could contribute on short routes and as a blocker. His size and toughness would make him an ideal target on third down and in red-zone situations. Additionally, his ability to contribute as a blocker in the run game would make him a great fit for Dan Campbell’s offense, which emphasizes physicality and effort.

While the Lions’ receiving corps is already strong, adding another weapon in the late rounds could provide the team with a future star who can contribute immediately and in the long term. Whether it’s a big-bodied receiver like Xavier Cooper or a vertical threat like Leo Watkins, there are a number of intriguing options for Detroit to consider.

Finding a late-round receiver steal could go a long way in making the Lions’ offense even more potent. As the 2025 NFL Draft draws closer, expect the Lions to carefully evaluate wide receivers in the later rounds who fit their dynamic, high-powered offensive scheme.