INDIANAPOLIS – The evaluation of the Detroit Lions' offense was already taking place before head coach Dan Campbell promoted tight ends coach Ben Johnson to offensive coordinator.
With Johnson now running the show offensively under the vision of Campbell, Johnson's self-scout of the offense identified one key need. Detroit's on the lookout for an X receiver that can make plays outside the numbers and in the deep part of the field.
"We feel like we attack the middle of the field really well," Johnson told local media members Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. "The more we can expand both vertically and horizontally, outside the numbers and deep down the field, that's going to make those guys on the inside that much more dangerous."
The Lions have some weapons offensively they really like. Johnson thinks they can be dominant upfront along their offensive line, and he likes what slot receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, tight end T.J. Hockenson and running back D’Andre Swift bring to the passing game. But the one missing link, the piece to bring the offense full circle, is an outside receiver who can win one-on-ones and force a defense to roll coverage his way.
View photos of the wide receiver prospects who were invited to the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.
Ohio State wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) runs a route against Minnesota in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021, in Minneapolis. Ohio State won 45-31. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
American Team wide receiver Calvin Austin III, of Memphis, returns the opening kickoff in the first half of the NCAA Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
National Team wide receiver Bo Melton of Rutgers (18) runs the ball after a catch during the third quarter of an NCAA Senior Bowl college football game, Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team wide receiver Velus Jones, Jr. of Tennessee (1) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
American Team wide receiver Dai' Jean Dixon runs after a catch against the National Team during the first half of the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl college football game Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
National Team wide receiver Braylon Sanders of Ole Miss (5) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
East wide receiver Charleston Rambo, of Miami (FL), (11) in action against the West during the East West Shrine Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
National Team wide receiver Christian Watson of North Dakota State (1) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
East wide receiver Josh Johnson, of Tulsa, (84) runs the ball up the field against the West during the East West Shrine Bowl football game at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan)
American Team wide receiver Dontario Drummond of Mississippi runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Jameson Williams (1) runs a route during the Cotton Bowl NCAA College Football Playoff semifinal game against Cincinnati, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. Alabama won, 27-6. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Baylor wide receiver Tyquan Thornton advances the ball after a catch during the first half of the Big 12 Championship NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Arlington, Texas, Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)
Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Slade Bolden (18) runs the ball during the NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game against the Georgia Bulldogs, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Oregon Ducks wide receiver Johnny Johnson III (3) runs after the catch during the an NCAA college football game against the UCLA Bruins on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2021 in Pasadena, Calif. Oregon won, 34-31. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Arkansas receiver Treylon Burks (16) against Mississippi State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Nevada Wolf Pack wide receiver Romeo Doubs (7) runs a route during the NCAA college football game against the San Deigo State Aztecs, Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021 in Carson, Calif. (Ric Tapia via AP)
UCLA wide receiver Kyle Philips (2) runs on a punt return during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Colorado Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Oregon wide receiver Devon Williams (2) runs with the ball after a catch as Washington State defensive back George Hicks III (18) comes in to try and make a tackle in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)
Indiana wide receiver Ty Fryfogle (3) in action during an NCAA college football game between Minnesota and Indiana in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Northern Iowa wide receiver Isaiah Weston (80) runs up field during an NCAA college football game against Southern Illinois, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Cedar Falls, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Purdue receiver David Bell plays against Ohio State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Virginia Tech's Tre Turner (11) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in Atlanta. Turner caught seven passes for a 187 yards and one score to lead Virginia Tech to a 26-17 win (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Penn State wide receiver Jahan Dotson (5) looks to make a cut against Villanova during an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., on Saturday, Sept.25, 2021. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Michigan State's Jalen Nailor (8) runs against Michigan during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
SMU wide receiver Reggie Roberson Jr. runs a route against Navy during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Mississippi State wide receiver Makai Polk (10) catches a pass of 13 yards for a first down against Texas A&M defensive back Jaylon Jones (17) during the second half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Cincinnati wide receiver Alec Pierce runs a route against Navy during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. Cincinnati won 27-20. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
SMU wide receiver Danny Gray runs a route against Navy during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. SMU won 31-24. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Texas Tech's Erik Ezukanma (13) during an NCAA college football game against Florida International, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Lubbock, Texas. (AP Photo/Brad Tollefson)
Pittsburgh defensive back Erick Hallett (31) dives after Western Michigan wide receiver Skyy Moore (24) after he made a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Ohio State receiver Chris Olave plays against Oregon during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III (8) runs after catching a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Gainesville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
USC Trojans wide receiver Drake London (15) runs a route during the an NCAA college football game against the San Jose State University Spartans on Saturday, Sep. 4, 2021 in Los Angeles. USC won, 30-7. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Kentucky wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (1) catches a pass during an NCAA college football game against Missouri in Lexington, Ky., Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Michael Clubb)
Notre Dame wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. (4) during the second half of an NCAA football game against Florida State on Sunday, Sept. 5, 2021 in Tallahassee, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
South Alabama Jaguars wide receiver Jalen Tolbert plays against Southern Miss Golden Eagles at an NCAA football on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Dan Anderson)
Georgia wide receiver George Pickens (1) makes a touchdown catch against Cincinnati during the first half of the Peach Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Boise State wide receiver Khalil Shakir (2) runs with the ball in the first half against Utah State in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020, in Boise, Idaho. Boise State won 42-13. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
Clemson wide receiver Justyn Ross catches a pass for a first down in the second half of the NCAA Cotton Bowl semi-final playoff football game against Notre Dame on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Oklahoma wide receiver Michael Woods II (8) runs for a first down against Tulane during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021, in Norman, Oklahoma. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
The good thing is the Lions will have plenty of opportunities to find that guy this offseason. Maybe a couple of them.
It's a loaded class of free-agent receivers, led by Davante Adams (Green Bay), Chris Godwin (Tampa Bay), Allen Robinson (Chicago) and Mike Williams (Los Angeles Chargers), just to name a few.
Holmes told reporters at the Combine Tuesday that receiver was one of the deepest position groups in this draft. More than a half dozen receivers could come off the board in the first round, led by Garrett Wilson (Ohio State), Jameson Williams (Alabama), Treylon Burks (Arkansas), Drake London (USC), Chris Olave (Ohio State) and Jahan Dotson (Penn State).
"I think it comes in a number of shapes and forms, but I think the definition of it really is a guy ... who can win consistently one-on-one, whether that's a big guy with a lot of strength and size or whether that's a guy with elite quickness or speed," Johnson said.
"I think it comes in a number of different ways, but that's what we're looking for, someone outside the numbers predominantly, who can win a one on one, and if he's good at his job, dictates coverage. They recognize where he's at all times and start rolling his way, which will open us up for the run game and everything else inside. That's really what we want."
The Lions were efficient in the passing game the second half of the season after Campbell took over play calling and Johnson took over pass-game coordinator duties Week 9, but Detroit's passing attack still wasn't as explosive as it could be. Johnson said he'd like to see the yards per attempt increase significantly next year. The easiest way to accomplish that is to get a player or two out wide who can win consistently. It could also help on third down and in the red zone.
"Think about it, when we get down there (in the red zone) the size matchups make a huge difference," Johnson said. "That was another thing we brought up. How many times did we really throw it outside the numbers when we got down there tight and probably was below league average. That's something we need to look at and to explore."
It's clear the Lions are on the lookout for help outside the numbers at receiver and will work hard in free agency and with their draft prep to find the players they believe can take this offense to the next level.
