Bring in the Underdogs: Lions Sign Trio of Wide Receivers
Information sourced from: CFB Reference, Pro Football Reference, NFL Transactions, RAS, UFL
Following the injury of Kendrick Law the Lions churned their roster a bit and signed Kyre Duplessis. However, they were not yet done. The Lions have churned their roster a bit more. The Lions have released wide receiver Kyre Duplessis and added wide receivers Tay Martin, Lucky Jackson, and Tarik Black (the latter two receivers of the UFL champion Louisville Kings). Contract details were not yet apparent for any of the signings. Let’s dig in and see what the Lions have added.
Tay Martin
Tay Martin is by far the most experienced receiver of the group. He comes from a five year collegiate career (at Washington State and Oklahoma State), amassing 2810 yards on 95 receptions and 10 touchdowns. He spent time with the 49ers, Titans, and Commanders as an undrafted free agent, logging 4 receptions for 72 yards. Martin’s athletic profile is good, but not great, with his short area quickness being his best trait.
Standing 6’3” and 186 lbs with NFL experience, Martin may have the easiest path to sticking with the Lions. His size being a key trait the Lions may look to add.
Lucky Jackson
Lucky Jackson spent 4 years at Western Kentucky, and had a productive career. Bringing in 210 receptions for 2691 yards, and 13 touchdowns in college. However, while he has played in three regular season games in the NFL (all for the Minnesota Vikings), he has yet to record a stat.
He did catch on with the Louisville Kings in the UFL, and was productive in doing so, logging 32 receptions for 392 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
Standing 6’0” and 186 lbs (the same is Tay Martin, weirdly enough), his calling card of athleticism is speed. He looks to have speed in the realm of a 4.42 40.
Tarik Black
Lions fans may know a little bit about Tarik Black. Black spent 3 years at Michigan and one at Texas bringing in 50 receptions for 747 yards and 3 touchdowns. While he did play one game for the Jets, he logged only one reception for 10 yards. His UFL career has been good this year, logging 27 receptions for 388 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Another tall receiver at 6’ 2”, with elite explosion grades, good speed, and good agility. There is no question Black is athletic enough for the NFL. The question is, can he use it to set himself apart from the pack of receivers on the Lions.
So what?
So what? There’s not a lot of promises for these guys coming into the Lions at this point. However, if we know anything about this team, it is that no matter what your draft position is, you have a chance to fight for a position. No matter if that is WR6, sole special teams contributor, or practice squad player.
If I had to choose one to watch, I would give it to Lucky Jackson. He is a bit older at 28, that’s true. But he doesn’t have a ton of wear on his body, and he has good speed. Kalif Raymond was one of the players that was able to stretch the field for the Lions, and he is no longer with the team. Jackson may be able to find a place stretching the field, and thus may be able to make the 53 man roster.
One final note, Dan Campbell has talked about how the Lions like UFL players as they have played on a “next level” stage. Might I remind you Jake Bates fought for a position on this team as a UFL standout. This just goes to show, if one of these young men can show out in camp, they certainly could have a place on the Lions roster.