2026 NFL free agency preview: With top of depth chart stocked, Lions could use WR depth, potentially with return ability

A return option who has been frequently featured on gadget plays in Arizona, Greg Dortch would be a familiar face for incoming Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. (Getty Images)

The NFL’s negotiating window for pending free agents opens on March 9, and players will be eligible to sign with new teams on March 11 at 4 p.m.

Ahead of those dates, we’ll preview each position, looking at the top options expected to hit the market, the Detroit Lions’ pending free agents, plus three outside players who could be fits.

Today, we’ll be looking at the wide receivers.

Quick overview

The top of Detroit’s depth chart is strong and stable. Multiple-time All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown, speedy No. 2 Jameson Williams and last year’s third round pick, Isaac TeSlaa, are each under contract through at least the 2028 season.

Of course, there’s room to bolster the reserves. Dominic Lovett, a seventh-round pick last year, will get an opportunity to earn a roster spot. So should Jackson Meeks, an undrafted signing a year ago who spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad.

Top players available

Mike Evans

After topping 1,000 yards each of his first 11 seasons, Evans' streak came to an end in 2025 after he missed most of last season with a broken collarbone.

After extending Chris Godwin and hitting on Emeka Egbuka in the draft, it’s realistic that the Buccaneers' franchise icon will be looking for a new home this offseason.

Alec Pierce

A big-framed deep threat, Pierce has led the NFL in yards per catch each of the past two seasons, averaging 21.8 yards per grab during that stretch. He’s coming off his first 1,000-yard campaign and found the end zone six times for the second straight year.

Jauan Jennings

Scooped up at the tail end of the 2020 draft, Jennings has spent his entire six-year career with the 49ers. Recording a combined 963 receiving yards through his first four years in the league, Jennings broke out in 2024, hauling in 75 balls for 975 yards and six scores.

The encore wasn’t as impressive, but the 6-foot-3, 212 pounder did catch nine touchdown throws in 15 games and was among the league-leaders in contested catches.

Romeo Doubs

With Christian Watson, Jaylen Reed and 2025 first-round pick Matthew Golden under contract, Doubs would appear to be expendable for Green Bay. The former second-round pick is coming off one of his best seasons, catching 55 balls for 724 yards and six touchdowns.

Rashid Shaheed

A solid No. 2 receiver with the ability to stretch the field, Shaheed’s value is accentuated by his premium kick-returning ability. A deadline acquisition for the Seahawks, he averaged 29.9 yards on kickoffs and 16.2 on punts last season, scoring a touchdown on both.

Detroit’s pending free agents

Kalif Raymond

Added to the roster in 2021, Raymond has signed three contracts with the Lions. A tone-setter through his work ethic, he’s seen his pass-catching role reduce the past couple of seasons, and, if retained, would presumably cede an increasing number of snaps to TeSlaa.

Raymond has also brought plenty of value as a return man, earning All-Pro honors twice during his time in Detroit.

Tom Kennedy

Kennedy has spent more of his career on the team’s practice squad than the active roster, but he’s a favorite of the coaching staff because of his reliability to serve as a fill-in on both offense and special teams.

Despite only 18 career receptions, Kennedy popped as a substitute return man last season, potentially meriting a longer look in those roles in 2026.

Potential outside fits

Greg Dortch

If the Lions are looking for depth and an alternative returner to Raymond, Dortch served in that role while with incoming offensive coordinator Drew Petzing in Arizona the past three seasons.

Capable of lining up in the slot or outside, Dortch also factored into many of Arizona’s gadget plays, whether the target or as the eye-candy. He averaged just 30 catches for 276 yards the past three seasons, but adds value on special teams, where he averaged a career-best 11.6 yards as a punt returner last season.

Devin Duvernay

A former third-round pick for Baltimore, Duvernay has been a non-factor on offense the past three seasons after setting career highs for receptions (37) and receiving yards (407) in 2022.

His primary value would be in the return game, where he’s a two-time Pro Bowler and averaged 26.7 yards on kickoffs and 11.0 yards on punts for Chicago last season.

Bryce Ford-Wheaton

This one is undeniably a deep cut, but in looking for low-cost connections to Detroit’s current coaching staff, the Giants gave Ford-Wheaten significant guarantees as an undrafted prospect out of West Virginia in 2023.

The size and athletic gifts are impressive. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder ran a sub-4.4 40 at the scouting combine. In college, at West Virginia, he used that speed and frame to make plays downfield and in contested situations.

His pro career has been marred by two serious injuries, a torn ACL in 2023 and a torn Achilles last August. In 2024, he played a ton of special teams for the Giants. That gives him a path to contribute while exploring whether there’s still something to unlock within his intriguing offensive potential.