Lions WR Kalif Raymond excels at getting open
Amon-Ra St. Brown is undoubtedly the Detroit Lions’ top wideout but the team has another receiver who excels at getting open.
Kalif Raymond had the top open-target rate in the entire NFL last season, gaining separation on all but one of his 43 targets, per Pro Football Focus.
That helped him generate a team-best 121.8 passer rating when targeted but also allowed him to average 6.7 yards after the catch.
In total, he finished third on the team in target rate (22.2%) and receiving yards (489) but gained 20 first downs and had nine catches of at least 20 yards.
St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta will rightfully get a large target share, and Jameson Williams may also see an increase this season, but Raymond’s stats show that he’s also deserving of even more opportunities.
That’s a pretty good problem to have for the NFL’s third-best offense by yardage a season ago.
Raymond had minimal production in with the Broncos, Giants and Titans in his first four seasons, compiling just 19 total catches for 369 yards and a touchdown, but has found a home with the Lions.
Over his three years in Detroit, he’s caught 130 passes for 1,681 yards and five touchdowns and has had more targets each season with the Lions than he had total catches in his career prior to his arrival in the Motor City.
He’ll turn 30 before the season starts and figures to play another big role for the Lions this year.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK