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The Detroit Lions aren’t done adding pieces just yet, but it’s very clear at this point that the offense will take a step back in 2021, at least on paper. With the loss of Kenny Golladay to the Giants and Marvin Jones, Jr. to the Jaguars, the Lions are hurting bad at the wide receiver position. Adding guys like Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman might stop the bleeding for a moment, but you could still argue that the Lions are in a tier of their own at the bottom of the league when it comes to WR groups.
Luckily for them, there are still other threats in the passing game that will take up a bulk of the targets thrown by Jared Goff this year, such as D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson. I’m also betting on the Lions adding a top-tier receiving talent during the first couple of days of the NFL Draft.
Today’s Question of the Day is...
Who will lead the Lions in targets in 2021?
My answer: Hockenson.
Last year, Marvin Jones, Jr. led the team with 115 targets and 76 receptions, but Hock wasn’t far behind with 101 and 67, respectively. I think that Goff will gain trust with Hock early and often and create a reliable connection between the two.
If not Hock, then I think Swift will have a breakout season and could see as high as 100+ targets in the passing game if they maximize his talents and develop some gameplans around him. One important thing to note is that in their careers, Stafford has averaged 22 percent of his throws to RBs, while Goff is only at 14 percent, another reason why I’d give an edge to a player like Hock, Tyrell Williams or potentially even a rookie receiver.
Your turn.
Poll
Who will lead the Lions in targets in 2021?
This poll is closed
-
54%
TE T,J, Hockenson
(450 votes) -
5%
WR Tyrell Williams
(42 votes) -
3%
WR Breshad Perriman
(32 votes) -
5%
WR Quintez Cephus
(48 votes) -
4%
RB D’Andre Swift
(37 votes) -
21%
Rookie receiver
(176 votes) -
4%
Other
(34 votes)