Lions predicted to select 12-TD, 6'2 playmaker to pair with Amon-Ra St.Brown

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The Detroit Lions will look to secure a spot in the NFC Championship Game for the second consecutive season on Saturday, as the team will host the Washington Commanders in the divisional round. Detroit posted a 15-2 record during the regular season and clinched the NFC North and No.1 seed in the conference after blowing out the Minnesota Vikings in Week 18.

The Lions boast one of the league's deepest rosters, but there are still some positions that have some glaring weaknesses, primarily wide receiver. Outside of Amon-Ra St.Brown and Jameson Williams, Detroit lacks high-end talent at the position, and general manager Brad Holmes should look to add another receiver to the offense this offseason.

Though the Lions could solve their need for an additional playmaker in free agency, The 33rd Team's Kyle Crabbs predicts the team will select Stanford wide receiver Elic Ayomanor in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

"If you were to pick a single player out of the 2025 class that would be the most "on-brand" fit for the Detroit Lions, it very easily could be Elic Ayomanor, Crabbs wrote. 

"This is a physical wide receiver who excels at the catch point, after the catch, and as a run blocker — all elements that would be welcomed additions to the Lions' locker room. Detroit has just four wide receivers under contract for the 2025 season and only two under contract beyond next year, leaving room for a long-term addition."

Ayomanor has been a consistent playmaker for Stanford over the last two years, as the redshirt sophomore hauled in over 60 passes in 2023 and 2024 and also snagged six receiving touchdowns in both seasons. Ayomanor also tallied a 1,000-yard campaign in 2023 and had 831 receiving yards in 2024.

Acquiring a third wide receiver who can make plays opposite St.Brown and Williams should be a primary offseason focus for the Lions. Though Ayomanor isn't the most exhilarating player, the 2024 second-team All-ACC selection is a perfect fit in Detroit's offense that relies heavily on play action and the intermediate passing game.