The Detroit Lions could target a wide receiver this offseason, as they lacked consistent options beyond Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams in 2024.
Detroit’s third receiver, Tim Patrick, recorded 33 catches for 394 yards and three touchdowns but is set to become an unrestricted free agent. Even if the Lions re-sign the former Denver Bronco, general manager Brad Holmes should explore additional reinforcements for the receiving corps.
While Detroit may address the position in the early rounds of April’s draft, TWSN’s Marissa Myers predicts the team will sign wide receiver Cooper Kupp following his expected release from the Los Angeles Rams.
Kupp, who turns 32 in June, endured another injury-plagued season in 2024, averaging just 59.2 receiving yards per game, his lowest mark since 2017, for a total of 710 yards. His contract makes a trade unlikely, but if released, Detroit appears to be an ideal landing spot.
With St. Brown and Williams already in place, adding Kupp would provide Jared Goff with another reliable target in key situations. For Kupp, Detroit offers a strong chance to compete for a Super Bowl, making it an appealing destination to close out his career.
Since his historic 2021 triple crown and Super Bowl MVP season, Kupp has missed at least five games in each of the last three years. Despite that, he remained productive in 2024, finishing with 67 receptions, 710 yards, and six touchdowns.
Following the Rams’ divisional-round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Kupp confirmed his plans to play in 2025 but acknowledged uncertainty about his future in Los Angeles.
> “I feel like I’ve got a lot of good football left in me,” Kupp said in the Rams’ final open locker room session of the season. “I’ll be playing football next year. That much I know.”
> “Who knows what’s going to happen,” he added. “That’s out of my control. And we will see what it’s going to be. … I don’t have any clarity on what that’s going to look like or anything like that. So yeah, obviously would love to be in L.A., but I don’t know what that’s going to look like.”
If Kupp becomes available, the Lions should aggressively pursue him. He likely won’t command a massive contract, and Detroit is projected to have $46 million in cap space, enough to sign Kupp and address other roster needs.
While Kupp may never replicate his 2021 dominance, his elite route-running and experience would make him an excellent third option and a valuable security blanket for Goff in Detroit’s offense.
