The receiver-needy Detroit Lions haven't given up on the return of Ryan Broyles.
Coming off back-to-back ACL tears, the third-year pro receiver ruptured his Achilles last October and looms as a complete wild card for a team desperately in search of a No. 2 pass-catcher to pair with Calvin Johnson.
The Lions would love for Broyles to be that guy, but they acknowledge the timeline is fuzzy.
"It's hard to speculate on that -- he's still rehabbing the Achilles," general manager Martin Mayhew told MLive.com. "Hopefully we'll get an opportunity to see him when he gets back and see what he looks like."
Any production from Broyles at this stage is a luxury. Detroit's top task this offseason is unearthing a dynamic partner for Johnson before September hits.
After Megatron's team-leading 84 catches last season, the next two receivers on that list -- Nate Burleson and Kris Durham -- didn't even combine for as many receptions. Burleson was the second-leading wideout after Johnson the year before, too, but with just 39 grabs. In 2011, Titus Young followed Megatron with just 33 catches. Yes, there's an issue here.
The team intends to bring back Durham and Jeremy Ross, but MLive.com expects Detroit to target Clemson's Sammy Watkins or Texas A&M's Mike Evans in the draft. This year's free-agency crop also features a handful of solid No. 2 options.
We'd love to see Golden Tate paired with Johnson or even James Jones, who told Dan Hanzus that he's prepared to leave Green Bay if that is what it comes down to (and it will).
The Lions would like to see Broyles return to the fold, but waiting around for that would be a disaster.
The latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast" weighs in on Monday's franchise-tag surprises and unpacks all the 49ers drama out west.
