Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn didn't overstate the obvious when asked at the Combine earlier this year to evaluate the 2020 draft class of wide receivers.
"As you look across the draft board, the wide receiver's really deep," Quinn said.
Enough said.
The draft does not have an alpha star, such as Julio Jones, A.J. Green or Calvin Johnson. But a half dozen players are legitimate first-round candidates – starting around the 10th pick – and quality receivers on Day 3.
Following is a breakdown of where the Lions stand at wide receiver and how the 2020 class shapes up, with five receivers at the top of the position who could fit the Lions, plus two sleepers. In some cases, it would take a trade down for an extra pick to take a receiver in the first round or later.
Lions wide receiver draft status: Not a priority with their first pick, but it's an ideal year to add young talent for development. Receivers with second-round talent could be available in Round 3 – as they did with Kenny Golladay in 2017 -- and lower because of that depth.
Lions' depth chart:
Returning: Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr., Danny Amendola, Marvin Hall, Chris Lacy, Tom Kennedy, Travis Fulgham, Jonathan Duhart.
Added: Geremy Davis, Geronimo Allison, Victor Bolden.
View photos of Mike O'Hara's top 5 wide receiver draft prospects that could interest the Lions.
Alabama wide receiver Henry Ruggs III (11) salutes the fans against LSU during the second half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. LSU won 46-41. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Clemson's Tee Higgins (5) can't quite make the catch in front of North Carolina's Dominique Ross (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (2) leaps to the end zone for a touchdown beating Washington State safety Bryce Beekman (26) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (4) runs after a reception against Michigan during the first half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb warms-up prior to an NCAA college football game against Baylor in Waco, Texas, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019. Lamb did not play in the game which Oklahoma won 34-31. (AP Photo/Ray Carlin)
Potential prospects:
1. CeeDee Lamb, Oklahoma.
6-2, 198. 4.50 Combine 40.
Stats: 3 years, 41 games, 39 starts. 173 career catches. 2019: 62 for 1,327 yards, 14 TDs, 21.4-yard average. Also returned punts.
Breakdown: Big-time playmaker, turns catches into yards and TDs -- 32 for his career and school career record of 24 catches of 40 yards or longer. Four catches for 119 yards – 29.75 per catch – in playoff loss to LSU.
How he could fit Lions: Productive big receiver, not likely to be in Lions' draft range unless there's a Round 1 trade down.
2. Jerry Jeudy, Alabama.
6-1, 193. 4.45 Combine 40.
Stats: 41 games, 3 years, starter last 2. Broke out in 2018: 68 catches, 1,315 yards, 14 TDs. 2019: 77 catches, 1,163 yards, 10 TDs.
Background: Surrounded by talented teammates – including receivers – he got the ball and did something with it. No. 2 in school history with 26 TD catches behind Amari Cooper's 31. Smooth, quick route runner.
How he could fit Lions: High-level consistency makes him early producer.
3. Henry Ruggs III, Alabama.
5-11, 188. 4.27 Combine 40.
Stats: 41 games, 3 years. Career: 86 of 98 catches, 18 TDs in 2018-19. One career run for 75-yard TD.
Background: Added 42-inch vertical jump to blazing 40 time. Despite speed did not have big production, and there are questions about route running and playing speed.
How he could fit Lions: With Matthew Stafford, Ruggs would fit how Darrell Bevell's offense pushes the ball downfield.
4. Brandon Aiyuk, Arizona State.
6-0, 205. 4.50 40.
Stats: Junior college transfer, 2 years at ASU. 2018: 33 catches, 474 yards, 3 TDs. 2019: 65 catches, 1,192 yards, 8 TDs.
Background: Competitive, strong player at his size with long arms. Goes after the ball with 40-inch vertical.
How he could fit Lions: Adds yards after catch to knack for getting open.
5. Tee Higgins, Clemson.
6-4, 216. No Combine workout.
Stats: 3 years, 43 games, starter last 2. 2018: 936 yards. 2019: 59 for 1,167 and 27 TDs 2018-19 combined.
Background: Produces with size and strength, not speed.
How he could fit Lions: Good big-body receiver, worth a look late in the first round or top of the second.
View photos of NFL prospect Tee Higgins.
Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) celebrates his touchdown catch with wide receiver Hunter Renfrow (13), running back Adam Choice (26) and linebacker John Boyd (46) in the first half of the NCAA Cotton Bowl semi-final playoff football game against Notre Dame on Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Clemson's Tee Higgins catches a touchdown pass during the second half of the NCAA college football playoff championship game against Alabama, Monday, Jan. 7, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) looks to the sideline during an NCAA college football game against South Carolina Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. Clemson defeated South Carolina 38-3. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) runs against Virginia during the first half of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
Clemson's Tee Higgins (5) dodges the tackle of North Carolina's Chazz Surratt (21) to score the team's final touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins scores against LSU during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game Monday, Jan. 13, 2020, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Clemson wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) is unable to catch a pass as Notre Dame cornerback Troy Pride Jr. defends in the second half of the NCAA Cotton Bowl semi-final playoff football game, Saturday, Dec. 29, 2018, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Clemson's Tee Higgins (5) warms up before an NCAA college football game against North Carolina in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Clemson's Tee Higgins reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Charlotte Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Clemson's Tee Higgins (5) waits for the snap against North Carolina State during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Raleigh, N.C., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
Sleeper 1: Jalen Reagor, TCU.
5-11, 206. 4.48 Combine 40.
Stats: 3 years, starter last 2. Career: 148 catches, 2,248 yards, 22 TDs. Also 2 TDs rushing, 2 on returns.
Background: Averaged 9.3 yards on 35 career rushes, 15.2 on 148 catches, 24.2 on 13 kickoff returns, 17.8 yards on 23 punt returns.
How he could fit Lions: High average however he touches the ball.
Sleeper 2: Laviska Shenault Jr., Colorado.
6-1, 227. 4.58 Combine 40.
Stats: 3 years, 31 games, 16 starts. Receiving -- 145 career catches, 1,900 yards, 11 TDs. 2019 rushing --18 carries, 132 yards, 2 TDs.
Background: Powerful athlete, stock slipped after Combine workout. Used in multiple spots on offense, including wild-cat QB.
How he could fit Lions: Does a lot of things and produces wherever he plays. Opinions vary on where he ranks, but he's one to keep an eye on Day 2.
