This is the third installment of a multi-part series previewing the 2026 NFL free agency period for the Detroit Lions. Teams and agents can legally begin negotiating contracts at noon Monday, March 9, and new contracts can be signed when the new league year begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 11. Today’s preview: Wide receiver.
More free agency previews: Quarterback, running back.
Wide receiver
Expected on the 90-man roster: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Dominic Lovett, Jackson Meeks, Malik Cunningham
Pending free agents: Kalif Raymond, Tom Kennedy
The Lions have dumped a ton of resources into their top three receivers, extending Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams for a combined $200 million over the last two years and spending what amounted to three third-round draft picks on Isaac TeSlaa.
Returns on those investments have been both lucrative and promising. St. Brown, 26, is one of the NFL’s best receivers; Williams, 24, has posted consecutive 1,000-yard seasons; and TeSlaa, 24, finished his rookie year strong, catching 12 passes for 174 yards and four touchdowns over Detroit’s final six games of the 2025 season.
Also slated to be under contract when the new league year begins are Dominic Lovett, Jackson Meeks and Malik Cunningham. Lovett was drafted in the seventh round last April and did not receive a target as a rookie. Meeks was undrafted and only played five snaps on offense in 2025, though he flashed some positional versatility by working with tight ends at practice.
Cunningham signed with the Lions ahead of their Week 3 matchup versus the Baltimore Ravens to help simulate what it’s like to play against Lamar Jackson. He made an impression on the coaching staff, sticking around for the rest of the season even after Detroit’s win over Baltimore. Cunningham, a former quarterback, lined up in shotgun and recorded a rush attempt against the Dallas Cowboys in December.
Tom Kennedy is a pending restricted free agent. He proved dependable when called on last season, filling in for St. Brown in Detroit’s second meeting with the Green Bay Packers and catching all four of his targets for 36 yards. He also made a difference as a kick returner, collecting 447 yards across 16 attempts. Kennedy has been with the Lions in some capacity every season since 2019. It’s safe to assume he’ll likely find his way back to Detroit.
If the Lions bring back Kalif Raymond on a new deal, there really isn’t a need at receiver. Raymond has been a valuable depth option since 2021 (he has nearly 2,200 receiving yards over the last five seasons), and this past year he became the franchise’s all-time leader in punt return yards.
Best available free agents
Alec Pierce, Jauan Jennings, Wan’Dale Robinson, Mike Evans, Romeo Doubs, Rashid Shaheed, Deebo Samuel, Tyreek Hill, Keenan Allen, Marquise Brown, Christian Kirk
Instantly, you can remove the Lions from contention for most, if not all, of the top receivers in this year’s class. Aside from the obvious monetary commitments to those already on the roster, St. Brown, Williams and TeSlaa are each signed through at least the 2028 season, and it’s 2029 for Williams. There’s simply little space for another receiver to make a notable impact any time soon.
But if Raymond leaves, the Lions could be in the market for a receiver who would be fourth on the depth chart, and in line to return punts. Of course, Lovett could be ready for that role, depending on his development.
There are nine pending free agents at receiver who logged at least 10 punt returns in 2025: Skyy Moore (San Francisco 49ers), Nikko Remigio (Kansas City Chiefs), Gunner Olszewski (New York Giants), Alex Bachman (Atlanta Falcons), Devin Duvernay (Chicago Bears), Greg Dortch (Arizona Cardinals), Calvin Austin III (Pittsburgh Steelers), Romeo Doubs (Green Bay Packers) and Dante Pettis (New Orleans Saints).
Moore had the highest average among those returners (11.64), though Dortch (11.56) and Duvernay (11.00) weren’t far behind. Olszewski (9.00) and Remigio (7.64) were also above the 7.50 benchmark. Dortch had 206 receiving yards in 2025, more than Olszewski (145), Moore (87), Duvernay (26) and Remigio (21).
Dortch has been with the Cardinals since 2021, overlapping with new Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing for the last three seasons. Soon to be 28 years old, Dortch could be a potential replacement for Raymond, who turns 32 in August. Austin averaged 6.73 yards per punt return and tallied 372 yards as a receiver in 2025, but he’s estimated to receive a contract worth $4.9 million annually, according to Spotrac. Dortch’s annual estimate is $1.6 million, and Raymond’s is $3.5 million.
What’s the move?
Raymond has meant so much to what the Lions have built and he’s absolutely beloved in the locker room, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise if he re-signs on a short-term deal. But as a two-time Second-Team All-Pro who isn’t getting any younger, no one should fault Raymond if he looks to maximize his earnings elsewhere, or if the Lions look to get younger at the position.
But beyond a potential change at Raymond’s role, don’t expect much shuffling at receiver.
rsilva@detroitnews.com
@rich_silva18
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Free agency preview: Lions have depth decisions at receiver
Reporting by Richard Silva, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
