Dortch released?

You have to look at the big teams, the high scoring offenses who had very deep WR depth. But I can almost tell you the numbers might not be that impressive. The 90s Houston group is probably the best I have seen. They had Drew Hill, Ernest Givins, Haywood Jeffries and Curtis Duncan. Then there is the The Greatest show on Turf Rams… they had Bruce, Holt, Hakim & Prhoel. Look those number up. Now these are two of the best WR groups that I have seen and not every one of them lit up that stats. But they played their collective role very well, which made those units productive :100:

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Teams aren’t really airing it out like they were in the 90’s and early 20’s.

That was an era where the playbook was designed to support 3 and 4 WR sets and the rule book too.

I think if you want to make an honest assumption about the WR depth and ability of the Lions offense then you have to look at what today’s NFL teams are doing.

The 90’s and 20’s were primarily 11 and 10 personnel nearly 85-90% of the time.

Today most teams are running 11 personnel about 60 - 65 percent of the time.
12 personnel about 25-30%
13 personnel about 5%
10 Personnel about 1-2%

The Lions run 12-13 more than most teams and they use RBs and TE as receiving options far more than most teams.

Goff averages about 34 pass attempts per game.

Goff goes to the slot about 7-8 times a game.
To the outside about 10-11 times a game.
TE’s 5-6
RB’s 6-7
Other - 1-2

Point being is he is going to his RB’s and TE’s almost as often as his receivers.

Then you realize the slot is often played by the RB and TE. If not by ARSB.

Then understand that Meeks and Vaki will play the slot too.

You quickly realize our receiving depth is as important at RB and TE as much as it is at WR.

You have to look at how we use our players too.

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I totally agree, which I why mentioned those two particular teams. Let me add Buffalo to that to, they had deep groups too and those numbers aren’t that gaudy either. But look at the best 49ers teams …they never really had a particular deep WR group…they just spread the ball to their TEs, FBs, RBs, and their WRs across the board. That is what the Lions do now. Now I will admit that after the first pre-season game I expressed concern for two groups, depth at WR and depth in the secondary. I’m only worried about injury, im not worried about anyone else that is expected to be on the field most of the time

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That’s the most absurd assumption I’ve ever had said about me. But idc you clearly don’t pay attention to anything else I ever post or you would know that is about as far from the truth as something can possibly get.

I myself have stated we have the best offense weapons in the league 100 times…quit trying to spin me stating our 4 and beyond are weak into suggesting the entire position group is weak. Why do people do this?

AND FOR THE 100th TIME…I follow every teams rosters. I’m not pulling shit out of thin air here. We have the most unproven/udfa/oldest depth I think I’ve ever seen. Forgive me for suggesting it might be pretty damn weak. Several really smart posters have agreed with me on that. It’s really not an argument at all. The argument is does it even matter if they are that weak when our starters are so strong.

WR DEPTH, is flat out weak. Nothing you are going to say is going to change that. But try again if you must :+1:t2:

I like when I’m right which isn’t very often! :smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

Yes, I agree with JD. To me this isn’t even controversial. Our WR after our top two combined for 22 receptions last year - including guys on PS, and also including Jackson Meeks. None of them are rookies so that isn’t a reason. Tom Kennedy is going into his 8th season and has 18 career receptions. Is he a great safety valve to bring off the PS and a quality kick returner? Sure. Is he a top notch #4? No coaching staff in the past has ever thought so

While the Lions have a great receiving corps, their WR depth is poor.

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TeSlaa had more snaps that Kalif last season. So why is he considered the #4 receiver?

Also, there is no position on the field called #3 or #4 receiver. TeSlaa is our primary X receiver and took over as our primary X receiver at the mid point of the 2025 season.

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Kalif missed 2 games last season…

But sure, you wanna use his stats? 24 catches and a TD… Inconsequential… There are 10 FA WRs today that could be signed and produce that in a season

Then do it. Why wait? Promise Lucky Jackson isn’t a reason to not add a serviceable player in the building. Get them up to speed now instead of weeks after they are needed.

Bc they like their guys better… Do you trust the staff or not?

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Do I have to buy into every single thing they do in order to be a fan? Of course I trust them…but they have gaps just like everyone else.

This is our weakest position in terms of depth no (this and RB)? What’s wrong with being a tad bit critical of what they did here? You are smart guy I know you feel it’s weak. You are just of the understanding of why it is what it is. You haven’t been one of the guys arguing it actually is solid like some are.

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I just don’t think it matters. You go threw a Super Bowl teams WR4-WR6 and it’s rare they matter as position players.

To me the big red flashing danger sign is in the outside cornerback room and its not being discussed at all lol.

There’s not NFL players behind Rock and Reed

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I really don’t think it’s weak… I think they are top heavy, but 4-6 are interchangeable with any street FA without any significant upgrade or downgrade… That’s true on most teams

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This is the only thing that bothers me haha…

-28 & 29 year old UDFAs with zero experience as receivers in the league.

-Lovett, our 7th round pick going into his 3rd year…done nothing.

-Tom Kennedy, 18 receptions in 8 years. Has never made the opening day roster. Been cut everytime because we know nobody will claim him.

How is that not weak? I mean come on there isn’t an upside guy or veteran presence with any experience. This is not like any other team in the league.

It probably doesn’t matter. But teams usually get ~40+ receptions from their depth players throughout the season. And ours have a combined 20 career catches in 15+ seasons! it’s kind of funny imo :man_shrugging:t2:

But you are likely correct that it won’t matter that much. For me, if we play a game here or there without Jamo or Ra and the next man up is as far below replacement level as possible. That does matter for that particular game. And one game can be the difference between the 1 overall seed to missing the playoffs.

You could say the same things about Kalif Raymond… Who was undrafted and had 19 receptions in 4 years… Then he joined the Lions and poof, he’s a legit #3/4 WR, caught 50 balls for almost 600 yards. I trust this staff to identify talent and turn them into legitimate producers

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I mean Tom Kennedy did that on Thanksgiving and was fine

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I just looked it up and only 4 teams had 2 1000 yard receiving duos last season:

Arizona, Dallas, Detroit and Philadelphia.

We have Arizona’s former offensive coordinator here.

Our TE1 is a better, more productive receiver than the WR3 of most (maybe all) other NFL teams.

We’re fine at receiver. My upsettedness about releasing Dortch was a bit premature.

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Naw if you are against anything holmes or Campbell do. You are the devil. I agree wr is weak if one of top 3 go out and we know the lions history its not going to look good