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Detroit Lions roster review: Wide receiver

A look back at how the Detroit Lions' wide receivers performed in 2013.

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

As part of our season wrap-up series, we are going to examine how each player on the roster performed in 2013. Next, let's take a look at the Detroit Lions' wide receivers.

Calvin Johnson - 14 games (14 starts) | 84 catches, 1,492 yards, 12 TD | 1 lost fumble

Megatron was Megatron... for most of the season, anyway. A knee injury actually kept him from playing in two games this season, and there were a couple other games where he was clearly limited by injuries. Also, he had an alarming number of drops in 2013, although that was likely related to a finger injury. In any case, Johnson still put up big numbers in 2013, and when he wasn't on the field, the Lions offense looked lost. He's still the best wide receiver in football.

Nate Burleson - 9 games (8 starts) | 39 catches, 461 yards, 1 TD | 2 carries, -8 yards | 0 lost fumbles

Burleson's season got off to an extremely promising start. Then he crashed his car trying to save a pizza and missed a big chunk of the season because of a broken arm. This left the Lions in a tough spot from a depth standpoint at wide receiver, and Burleson's numbers weren't all that great when he finally returned. His absence and lack of production toward the end of the year really highlighted the Lions' need for a true No. 2 receiver.

Kris Durham - 16 games (13 starts) | 38 catches, 490 yards, 2 TD | 1 lost fumble

With Burleson out, Durham was the beneficiary from a playing time standpoint. He became the Lions' No. 2 wide receiver and finished the year just short of the 500-yard mark. Considering he was on the bubble to even make the team in training camp, that's not bad, but the Lions would be wise to not depend on Durham to be their No. 2 receiver going forward.

Ryan Broyles - 6 games (3 starts) | 8 catches, 85 yards, 0 TD | 0 lost fumbles

Broyles had a disappointing season, to say the least. After coming back from another torn ACL, he wasn't very productive in the first half of the season, and he didn't even get a chance to be productive in the second half after rupturing his Achilles on a punt return. Now he's working to come back from another serious injury in hopes that things will be better in 2014.

Kevin Ogletree - 12 games (1 start) | 13 catches, 199 yards, 1 TD | 0 lost fumbles

Ogletree joined the Lions during the season when they needed more depth at wide receiver. He showed some flashes of talent on deep balls, but his role was generally pretty limited.

Jeremy Ross - 10 games (2 starts) | 5 catches, 59 yards, 1 TD | 2 carries, 40 yards | 15 kick returns, 29.3 average, 1 TD | 15 punt returns, 16.2 average, 1 TD | 0 lost fumbles

Ross joined the Lions' practice squad after being cut loose by the Green Bay Packers early in the season. He was promoted to the active roster shortly after, and he became a huge weapon on special teams as the Lions' returner. Ross also showed some ability as a receiver, and generally speaking, he was a surprisingly productive player for the Lions.

Micheal Spurlock - 10 games (0 starts) | 15 kick returns, 22.5 average, 0 TD | 22 punt returns, 6.6 average, 0 TD | 0 lost fumbles

Spurlock was the Lions' returner at the start of the season. With the emergence of Ross, who was a clear upgrade on special teams, Spurlock was eventually released, although he was brought back for the final game of the season.

Previously: Quarterback, running back

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