There sure has been a lot of receiver talk going on here at A to Z Detroit when it comes to the Detroit Lions. It's been going on at ESPN, The Athletic, Pro Football Focus, Bleacher Report and more as well. Some fans don't think it's a problem at all, but after OTAs and minicamp it seems like a bigger problem than ever. 

The thing is, the Lions don't need a superstar or a guy that's super expensive to come in and help. A superstar would be nice, but they would be just fine with another Josh Reynolds type guy that can come in and be reliable and put up like 600-700 yards. 

We scoured the rosters of every team in the league and we found five guys the Lions could try to get in the trade market that wouldn't break the bank and could make a difference. Here they are along with what it cost to trade for them:

Mack Hollins

Holllins didn't have the greatest 2023, but we saw what he could be when he gets some real time and some targets in 2022. Hollins put up 57 receptions for 694 yards and four touchdowns. He left the Falcons this offseason and signed with the Bills, but that might have been a mistake for him.

The Bills drafted Keon Coleman and brought in Curtis Samuel to go with Khalil Shakir and Marquez Valdez-Scantling. There's a chance Hollins might be the odd man out and could find himself cut or getting significantly less targets this year. The Lions would be a good spot for him. 

He can bring that big 6-foot-4 frame and his contested catch ability to Detroit on the cheaper side of things. The fact that he's 30-years-old could make it even cheaper.

Trade proposal

Lions get: Mack Hollins

Bills get: 2025 sixth-round pick 

Tim Patrick

This would be the most interesting route the Lions could go when it comes to the five guys I'm listing here. Patrick had two pretty productive seasons for the Broncos in 2020 and 2021. He had at least 50 receptions for 700 yards and five touchdowns in both years. But then he's had some bad luck with injuries. He tore his ACL in camp in 2022 and miss the season. Then he tore his Achilles in camp in 2023 and missed the season. 

Patrick is healed up and he's been working with the team at OTAS and minicamp, but with Josh Reynolds and Troy Franklin joining up, Patrick is likely out in Denver. Plus the team restructured his contract in March and now they can free up $7 million in cap space and pay no dead money if they cut or trade him. The writing is on the wall. 

The Lions could come in and offer a trade for Patrick that they could protect themselves with. One that's similar to the Denzel Mims trade last year. 

Trade Proposal

Lions get: Tim Patrick 

Broncos get: Conditional 2025 seventh-round pick that could turn into a sixth round pick if Patrick makes the roster. If he does not, the trade is voided. 

Treylon Burks

In my opinion, this is the best way to go. The Titans took the Flint born receiver in the first-round of the 2022 NFL Draft and it has not worked out. Now he seems like the odd man out with DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd and Nick Ihkrine-Westbrook on the roster.

The Lions have taken multiple Titans receivers and turned them into good players. They did it with Josh Reynolds and they did it with Kalif Raymond. This might just be a Titans thing. The Lions should try it with Burks who is still just 24-years-old and on his rookie deal. If it doesn't work out, let him walk. 

Trade Propoasl

Lions get: Treylon Burks

Titans get: 2025 fifth-round pick

Terrace Marshall

We've talked about Marshall in the past. The Panthers are reportedly shopping him after drafting Xavier Legette and bringing in Diontae Johnson. It has just not worked out in Carolina for Marshall. 

A lot of the problem is that there has been zero continuity for the young player. he's had five different quarterbacks, three different head coaches and three different OC's. He's only been in the league for three seasons. 

His 6-foot-2 frame and 4.38 speed is worth taking a shot at. 

Trade Proposal

Lions get: Terrace Marshall

Panthers get: 2025 sixth-round pick. 

Allen Lazard

What can I say? I'm a sucker for a 6-foot-5 receiver. Lazzard did not have a good year in New York last year. that could change with Aaron Rodgers coming back from whatever weird retreat he's on. But the likelihood is that it won't. He's just in the wrong place right now. 

The Jets have Mike Williams now to go with Garrett Wilson and rookie Malchi Corley. Lazzard is going to get phased out. The Lions would be a good place for him to do what he's capable of since they need that type of guy. He can make plays with that size and he has some surprising speed. He could at least get you Josh Reynolds like production.

Trade Proposal

Lions get: Allen Lazard

Jets get: 2025 fifth-round pick

Detroit Lions Mailbag: Which player will be the biggest positive surprise of 2024?

Welcome to the dead zone. We've got five weeks until training camp opens up for the Detroit Lions and the questions are about to start piling up. We've already got a lot of them from Lions fans this week. Here's a jumbo mailbag: Right now they're just ok. As we know, there are other teams […]