Calvin Johnson’s retirement is a major blow to the Lions’ offense, and a disappointment for NFL fans who enjoyed watching one of the finest wide receivers of all-time make big plays. But his sudden departure from the NFL is a joy to one group of people – the weak 2016 free agent class of wide receivers.
The Lions, who draft No. 16 overall, will have to replace their top playmaker for nearly a decade. That’s no easy task, and it gives them no leverage at the negotiating table. Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell is unlikely to be available that deep in the draft, and the Lions have many other pressing needs. They will have to replace Johnson in free agency, and here are the top three players most likely to benefit.
How Calvin Johnson Measures Up vs. The Greats
Alshon Jeffery
Let’s be clear, Alshon Jeffery is NOT Calvin Johnson. He is one of the most physically gifted pass-catchers in today’s NFL, however, and the most obvious fit to take his place. He’s 25 years old, and in 2014, when he was healthy, he caught 85 balls for 1,133 yards and 10 touchdowns. He’s proven he’s good for 1,000-plus yards when he plays enough games, and managed to top 100 yards four times last year despite battling nagging injuries.
The snag here is that Jeffery is an elite talent, so it’s highly unlikely the Bears will allow him to leave. If they’re worried about his injuries and can’t lock him up to a long-term deal they can just franchise tag him and let him prove his worth. So while Jeffery is obviously the best fit – and the top WR available in free agency by miles and miles – the Lions’ hopes of getting him are slim.
Here's What Is Waiting For Calvin Johnson In Retirement
Marvin Jones
Jones has high upside, and has made some big plays for the Bengals, but he’s not close to a proven commodity as a leading man. That said, he has a better case than just about any free agent wide receiver not named Alshon Jeffery, and if he goes to the Lions he’d be Matthew Stafford’s primary target. He missed all of 2014 with an injury, but caught 65 passes for 816 yards and four scores in 2015. He’s young (25 years old), and he scores from long-range; of his 15 career touchdown catches, 12 are from 10 yards out or further.
Most teams would want to bring him on as a complementary weapon, which he was to A.J. Green. But Detroit will have to pay up.
Jermaine Kearse
Kearse is a real sleeper option for Detroit. Kearse has never had even 50 catches in a season, but that’s because he has played in a Seattle offense that, until 2015, relied heavily on the run. Kearse set career-highs in receptions (49), yards (689) and touchdowns (5) this year, and also adds the big play element that will be lost with Megatron gone. Six of Kearse’s 10 touchdowns have come from at least 30 yards out.
Another factor: Kearse is familiar with the de facto No. 1 now in Detroit, Golden Tate. The pair played together in 2012 and 2013, so poor Tate missed out on Seattle’s Super Bowl runs. His stats do not scream No. 1 receiver – and definitely don’t project to cover the loss of Calvin Johnson – but he is a scary downfield weapon and proven playmaker. Detroit will need that, especially with a running game in shambles.
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