On Tuesday, Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said he was confident with the receiver group that he currently had, but that he would like for the Lions to add some youth in the receiver spot to up the competition there. 

That pretty much points to the Lions looking hard at receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft. Since the Lions are not a needs-based drafting team, that pick could come from anywhere. With that in mind, here's the best receiver in the Lions range in each round of this draft: 

First round: Matthew Golden, Texas

The Lions already have a super speedy guy in Jameson Williams. Imagine if they had two. Golden ran a 4.29 40 at the NFL Combine, and he still might be a step slower than Williams for what it's worth. Still, that is incredibly fast. 

It's not just about speed, though. Golden can be productive, too, and he can go up and get the contested catch. But two guys who can stretch the field would be just insane to have for Goff.  

Second round: Jayden Higgins, Iowa State

Now here's where the size comes in. At 6-foot-4, Higgins is one of the biggest receivers in this year's draft. He can use that size to go up over corners and make the contested catches. The Lions would love to have him go out and high-point the ball in the end zone. 

As an added bonus he was with the new Lions tight ends coach, Tyler Roehl, at Iowa State last year. He'd know how to best unlock some extras with him.

Third round: Pat Bryant, Illinois

Here's my guy right here. If you put me in the seat and asked me to make the best pick for the Lions at receiver, and I can't have Tettairoa McMillan, I'm taking Bryant all day long. 

Bryant has the size, speed, and contested catch ability down, but it's the blocking where he can really be advantageous for the Lions. He was one of the best receivers in that department last season. 

Fourth round: Kyle Williams, Washington State

He's in the fourth round right now, but this guy could be on the rise for sure. There's some thought that he could get as high as the second round. We'll see where that goes. 

The only thing that I don't particularly like about Williams and the Lions is that he is on the smaller size at 5-foot-11, and it makes more sense that Detroit would be looking for a bigger-bodied guy at this position. Still, he's a talented guy and one to watch. 

Fifth round: Nick Nash, San Jose State

If it were Nick Nash making that throw against the Commanders in the playoffs instead of Jameson Williams, it might have been completed. Nash is a former quarterback turned receiver, and the Spartans still actually had him throw a few balls last year. 

Make no mistake, he's still pretty good at receiver. He had 104 receptions for 1,382 yards and 16 touchdowns last year. That's not bad at all. 

Sixth round: Kobe Hudson, Central Florida

Hudson didn't have the best 2024 season, but if you're able to get the 2023 version of him, that's a win for Detroit. 

Seventh round: Bru McCoy, Tennessee

An intriguing option that the Lions would sort of be taking a shot in the dark with. He has silid size at 6-foot-3 and he can move, but he hasn't really done much that woudl blow you away. It feels like he coudl be a younger Tim Patrick. A guy who can make some catches, but might not be abel to do much with he ball afterwards. The Lions did have a formal with him at the Combine. 

Dan Campbell hints at a possible position change for Giovanni Manu in 2025, how that could affect draft plans

Last year half the NFL became captivated with this kid in Canada named Giovanni Manu. The size and athletcism was super apparent and that's why so many team's had him in for workouts and so many team's had him in for wourkouts and the Detroit Lions felt they had to trade up to get him.  […]