Among the Lions free agency decisions this offseason, should Josh Reynolds be a top priority?
The Detroit Lions have a decent list of internal free agents this offseason, two of which (Jason Cabinda, Josh Woods) they’ve already re-signed. There are some notable unrestricted free agents they are facing decisons on (Tracy Walker, Charles Harris, Josh Reynolds).
As the Lions look to add a wide receiver or two this offseason, Reynolds’ place in the pecking order (if he’s re-signed) is a mix of questionable and flexible. Ideally he’s a No. 3 or a No. 4 receiver, like he was with the Los Angeles Rams at the start of his career.
Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports has a list outlining one free agent each NFL team needs to retain this offseason.
Detroit Lions: WR Josh Reynolds
In just seven games with the Lions after his short-lived run with the Titans, the former Rams wideout totaled 306 yards and two scores as a big-play threat. At the very least, he can offer competition for a team in transition.
Should re-signing Josh Reynolds be a top priority for the Lions?
Based on his history with Jared Goff when the two were with the Rams, Reynolds was an easy midseason pickup for the Lions after the Tennessee Titans placed him on waivers. And he certainly made a difference, as a part of the reason Goff played better late in the season. In his first four games with Goff under center last season, Reynolds had 16 catches for 259 yards and two touchdowns with over 50 yards in all four.
Re-signing Reynolds will start with two things for the Lions: other free agent moves that are on their radar (and either happen or fall by the wayside), followed by cost.
The cost won’t be prohibitive, on a one or maybe a two-year deal. So it’ll really boil down to what Reynolds may find elsewhere on the market, and where he fits into the Lions’ priorities/plans as they take shape. Wide receivers coach Antwaan Randle El wants plenty of competition in the room, and Reynolds can at least provide a bit of that. But I have a hard time believing re-signing him will trump bringing back one or both of Walker and Harris.