Free Press columnist Carlos Monarrez breaks down the Detroit Lions’ fifth-round pick in the 2026 NFL draft, at No. 168 overall on Saturday, April 25.
Instant grade for Detroit Lions’ fifth-round pick in 2026 NFL Draft
Kendrick Law, Kentucky, wide receiver, 168th overall
The Detroit Lions are looking for their new Kalif Raymond, and they might have found him during the depth portion the 2026 NFL draft, when they traded up to select speedy Kentucky receiver Kendrick Law in the fifth round at No. 168 overall.
The Lions need a punt returner after Kalif Raymond left for Chicago in free agency. And that could be Law’s ticket to making the team, because he had extensive experience returning punts and kicks at Alabama before he transferred to Kentucky, where he ran a very limited route tree.
A vast majority of his catches for the Wildcats came behind the line of scrimmage, which allowed him to use his 4.45-second speed he showed at the NFL combine.
Special-teams hopefuls have a hard time making teams as rookies, but Law’s path might be a bit easier since general manager spent a sixth-round pick [No. 213] plus his own fifth-rounder [No. 181] to move up 13 spots to draft Law.
If he shows enough explosiveness on returns, he could wearing Honolulu Blue this fall.
Grade: B.
Contact Carlos Monarrez at cmonarrez@freepress.com and follow him on X @cmonarrez.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lions look for their new Kalif Raymond in speedy receiver Kendrick Law
Reporting by Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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