{"id":870694,"date":"2026-04-20T15:55:05","date_gmt":"2026-04-20T15:55:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/870694\/"},"modified":"2026-04-20T15:55:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T15:55:05","slug":"the-lions-could-shock-the-world-by-taking-one-of-the-best-receivers-early-in-the-2026-nfl-draft-theyre-showing-interest-and-it-makes-sense","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/870694\/","title":{"rendered":"The Lions could shock the world by taking one of the best receivers early in the 2026 NFL Draft, they’re showing interest, and it makes sense"},"content":{"rendered":"

It sounds crazy, and the fans would be really mad about it, but Jordyn Tyson makes a ton of sense for what the Lions have been trying to do for a long time<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\"Aug
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAug 30, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) celebrates his touchdown in the first quarter between Arizona State Sun Devils and Northern Arizona Lumberjacks at Mountain America Stadium.
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tArianna Grainey-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes has tried so hard for the last five years to explain to fans and media that they do not draft based on needs. They\u2019re looking to get the best player available, and that is going to be the plan every year, including this year. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve always said the reason why we always go (for) the \u2018best player available\u2019 approach is because there is only one Draft, and the roster\u2019s going to change every single year. Every single year it\u2019s going to be new needs, contracts are going to expire, things are going to happen.\u201d Holmes said. \u201cSo, what may not seem as an immediate, \u2018I need this right now for this year,\u2019 that might not be the case for the next year. So, that\u2019s what\u2019s been our approach on that. But there\u2019s times where you might \u2013 it lines up. Maybe the best player is a perceived need, and it lines up that way. It\u2019s lined up like that in the past, but that\u2019s not always the case.\u201d<\/p>\n

With this being the approach for five years, you should be shocked by nothing. That\u2019s why you shouldn\u2019t be shocked at this. <\/p>\n

The Lions were one of the 20 teams that were present for Arizona State receiver Jordyn Tyson\u2019s personal workout <\/p>\n

Sources: Over 20 NFL teams \u2014 including multiple GMs \u2014 are at Jordyn Tyson\u2019s personal workout today, including:<\/p>\n

Titans, Giants, Commanders, Eagles, Dolphins, Cardinals, Bills, Panthers, Browns, Cowboys, Lions, Packers, Raiders, Chargers, among others. pic.twitter.com\/hwbT9ufzxg<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) April 17, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Now, obviously, this sounds insane. The Lions have All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams at receiver. They just drafted Isaac Teslaa by trading three third-round picks to go up and get him. But Tyson gives them what they\u2019ve been looking for out of that third receiver for years. <\/p>\n

He has elite-level contested catch ability and elite body control, can create separation, and does everything the Lions keep trying to find with Josh Reynolds, DJ Chark, Tim Patrick, and TeSlaa. So yeah, while it seems crazy. It makes sense. It takes the Lions offense to yet another extreme level of possibilities. <\/p>\n

Now, don\u2019t freak out. The Lions have a plan here, and I sincerely doubt it\u2019s to take Tyson with the 17th pick. I think what the Lions are looking at is simple. Can this player, who has recently dealt with an injury history that has caused him to miss multiple games per season, take a major fall in this draft and be picked in the second or at least the late 20s if the Lions wanted to trade back?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not out of the realm of possibility. His current grade is in the first or second round. People are expecting a possible fall here. We\u2019re talking about the possibility of getting a player who should be a top 10 pick in the second round. You do that if you\u2019re GM. That is the best player available. Even if it\u2019s not something you really need right now.<\/p>\n

What would it mean for TeSlaa, I don\u2019t know. Maybe you try him at tight end and see what that looks like. Maybe you trade him away. Maybe you have an insanely deep receiving corps. I don\u2019t know. <\/p>\n

What I do know is that now is a good time to prepare your mind for anything on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. <\/p>\n

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Detroit Lions News<\/p>\n

2026 NFL Draft<\/a> Detroit Lions News<\/a>