The Detroit Lions might have Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Issac TeSLaa locked in as their starting wideouts, but let me tell you, that WR4 spot? It's wide open for business, and Greg Dortch is smack-dab in the middle of a serious fight to claim it. While he was out there practicing at OTAs, that smooth picture hides a fierce competition brewing behind the top three.
How Many Wideouts Can Even Make This Roster?
Under the Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell regime, the Lions are super calculated with their roster spots, especially for wide receivers. They usually keep between five and six active on the 53-man roster, and always have at least two stashed away on the practice squad. Think about it: they opened 2021 with seven wideouts but quickly trimmed to six. In 2022, they started with five, only expanding to six once Jameson Williams returned from the NFI list. Same story in 2023, where five became six after Williams' suspension ended. Then 2024 saw five, jumped to six for a bit after an Isaiah Williams release, then finished with just five. And last year, 2025, they started with five after trading Tim Patrick, then brought in a sixth, Tom Kennedy, for the final month, but still only kept five active on game day. This isn't just about talent; it's about a numbers crunch!New Faces and Hopeful Young Guns Join the Fray
Alright, so the big three are absolutely locked in: Amon-Ra St. Brown as WR1, Jameson Williams at WR2, and Issac TeSLaa solidified his WR3 role by the end of his rookie season. That's a strong core right there, all returning for 2026. The biggest loss from the group was Kalif Raymond, who bounced in free agency. To fill that void, the Lions grabbed Greg Dortch, which makes a ton of sense because he spent the last three seasons with current offensive coordinator Drew Petzing in Arizona. That connection is gold! They also drafted Kendrick Law, who was supposed to push for a key depth spot, but man, talk about a brutal blow: he tore his ACL in OTAs and is expected to miss the entire season. Beyond that, the team is hoping returning young players like Dominic Lovett and Jackson Meeks can take that next big step. But they didn't stop there. They've added or re-signed a bunch of veterans too, like Cedrick Wilson, Tom Kennedy, and Malik Cunningham. And just for good measure, they brought in four receivers from the UFL: Tarik Black, Tay Martin, Lawrence Keys, and Lucky Jackson. It's a full-on tryout, folks!Is That WR4 Spot Really So "Comfortable" For Dortch?
Here's the million-dollar question: is Greg Dortch going to comfortably just slide into that WR4 spot? A lot of fans seem to think so, believing he'll easily win it. But let me tell you, that's not how Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell operate! Dortch is facing some seriously stiff competition, including four returning depth and practice squad receivers who know the system and are hungry. Sure, his connection with OC Petzing is a huge advantage, no doubt about it. And his experience? It's undeniable. Dortch has played in 66 NFL games, including 17 career starts, and has averaged at least 35% of offensive snaps over the previous four seasons. That's real, proven NFL action. But 'comfortable' is a strong word when you've got this many guys vying for limited spots. He's going to have to prove it every single day. Training camp is gonna be appointment viewing for Detroit fans who want to see who earns those final receiver spots. Every single rep, every single catch, every block is going to count. Who's got the juice to make the 53-man roster and help this team? We're all watching to see who steps up and seizes their chance as the season approaches!This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.