NFL analyst links the Lions to a former Ram's receiver in bad trade projection

The Detroit Lions have some questions at receiver going into OTA's and mini-camp. They could definitely use an extra piece after losing their number two receiver Josh Reynolds to the Denver Broncos. ESPN's Bill Barnwell has a suggestion, but it's not a great one.  He suggests the Lions trade for Texans receiver Robert Woods. The […]

Mike Payton Detroit Lions Beat Writer
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Cleveland Browns cornerback Greg Newsome II (0) tackled Houston Texans wide receiver Robert Woods (2) after an interception during the third quarter in a 2024 AFC wild card game at NRG Stadium.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions have some questions at receiver going into OTA's and mini-camp. They could definitely use an extra piece after losing their number two receiver Josh Reynolds to the Denver Broncos. ESPN's Bill Barnwell has a suggestion, but it's not a great one. 

He suggests the Lions trade for Texans receiver Robert Woods. The obvious connection here is that Woods was on the Rams when Lions GM Brad Holmes and assistant GM Ray Agnew were both there too. Beyond that, it's hard to find a reason as to why the Lions would make this deal. Even if, as Barnwell suggests, it would be super cheap for Detroit.

in 2021 Woods would have been a welcomed sight in Detroit. He was just coming off a great 2020 season that saw him get 90 catches for 936 yards and six touchdowns. He was on his way to replicating that during the season and then he tore his ACL. He hasn't been the same since. Woods has missed time in the last two seasons and his production has been cut in half.

What the Lions need is some youth, size and contested catch ability. Woods can't offer any of those things at this time. He's 32-years-old and he's declining. It just doesn't fit the mold of what that receiver room has and needs at the moment. Plus, as Barnwell notes, he doesn't play much on special teams. A spot where the Lions are always looking for guys that aren't starting to contribute at. 

Not to mention that the likely move for the Texans is to just release him. If that happens, then you can make an argument that it's worth having a look at him at camp for a low cost. Trading any kind of assets for a player that's likely to be on the open market anyways feels like a bad thing unless the Lions were to attach some sort of condition to the trade. Then it could make some sense. 

The Lions definitely need some help at receiver, but this is not the route they should go.