The awesome Lions battle we’re not talking about enough, but will be on full display in Thursday’s preseason game
Thursday’s game against the Bengals is going to highlight one of the Lions’ most fun battles that we’re just not talking about enough.
There is a battle going on right now at Detroit Lions training camp that we are just not talking enough about. The fight for the fifth wide receiver spot on the 53-man roster has turned into one of the more compelling competitions of the summer, and it deserves some attention. With Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, and Greg Dortch locked in as the top four receivers, the question becomes whether Detroit carries five or six wideouts and who earns that next roster spot.
You have to understand what this job actually requires. It’s fun to think about what the fifth receiver can do on offense, but the real ask is special teams. You need to be able to do a lot of things on special teams and stand out there. It certainly helps if you can contribute on offense, but when you’re fighting for the fifth or sixth spot, special teams is the whole ballgame.
The contenders
Tom Kennedy is every Lions fan’s favorite Lion. He just sticks around, does whatever is asked of him, and I think that goes a long way. In some way, shape, or form, Kennedy is going to be on this team. I don’t know if it’s the 53-man roster, but I can almost guarantee he’ll be on the practice squad pending no one tries to claim him off waivers. There was some thought he could win the return job after looking pretty good at it near the end of the 2025 season, but that’s Dortch’s job now. He’s got it on lock. The guy opposite him on returns looks like it’s going to be Jacob Saylors, who handled the role last year and did a pretty good job. Kennedy has a real shot at the 53, but the path is narrow.
Tay Martin might be the frontrunner right now. Lions coach Dan Campbell was asked about the receiver room on Tuesday and said this was the deepest receiver room the Lions have had since he’s been in Detroit. He specifically brought up Martin and how good he’s been looking on special teams. I can vouch for that. You can see Martin doing stuff out there as a gunner, getting downfield, making blocks. And when the ball’s thrown his way, he catches it. He’s looking pretty good on the second- and third-team reps too.
Malik Cunningham is an interesting case because he’s been not just a receiver in the NFL but also a quarterback. The Lions brought him in last year, and I thought it was an opportunity for a trick play where Cunningham throws the ball. They tried it once. It didn’t work out. I’d like to see them try it again. Cunningham is probably a practice squad guy, but there have been multiple times this summer where I’ve gone, “Oh man, who made that play?” Then I look at the roster sheet. Malik Cunningham did that. I didn’t realize he had it like that.
Cedric Wilson has been the steady veteran presence. Good blocking, catches the ball when it’s thrown to him, just out there doing stuff. He had a really nice play on Monday with Luke Altmyer throwing him the ball on the run, making a contested catch on the sideline. It’s been similar to Cunningham in the sense that you keep noticing him. There’s Cedric Wilson again making a play.
Dominic Lovett has a real shot at this roster. I’ve been watching him in punt return and kick return drills, and he’s looking so much better than he did last year. He has a ton of gunner ability, was a really good gunner in college, and showed some of that last season. I see the vision for him across multiple special teams roles.
Lucky Jackson deserves a mention too. He’s been looking pretty steady. There haven’t been a lot of moments where I’m thinking he did something bad out there. It’s more like, “Oh, Lucky caught the ball again. Good play by Lucky Jackson.” I need to see a little more from him on special teams, but he’s been impressive.
Where I’m leaning
Right now, before the first preseason game, I’m locked in between Martin and Lovett for that fifth spot. I’m leaning Martin at the moment, but Lovett has a real chance. I want to see the preseason game before making any ruling. My initial 53-man roster prediction will come after the first preseason game, and my dead-set prediction won’t land until closer to the end of camp.
You start to think maybe the Lions consider carrying six receivers. You wonder what room they’d have to make elsewhere for that, but it’s worth thinking about if you’re Brad Holmes. This is just a fun battle, and I look forward to seeing who wins it.
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