Lions Urged to Sign $19 Million Speedster

At this point in his game, free agent wide receiver Marquise Goodwin is not the type of player who can singlehandedly win football games. The former third-round pick spent the 2023 season with the Cleveland Browns, hauling in just four receptions for 67 yards while appearing in 12 games. However, the Texas product still possesses above-average deep speed and could be a smart depth signing for the right team.

Selected by the Buffalo Bills back in 2013, Marquise Goodwin has bounced around the league as a free agent over the past decade. While his best seasons came with the San Francisco 49ers, Goodwin also found some form of success with the Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks. While he only has one season with over 500 yards, his straight-line speed forces defenses to respect the deep part of the field. This speed is still present, and Bleacher Report believes the Detroit Lions could use him as depth in their passing attack.

However, some receiver insurance wouldn’t hurt. Though he played sparingly for Cleveland last season, Marquise Goodwin still possesses game-changing speed. He’d provide value as a fourth or fifth situational target.

Detroit Lions Urged To Sign Free Agent Marquise Goodwin

Detroit’s interest in free agent Marquise Goodwin likely comes down to the team’s belief in former first-round pick Jameson Williams. The Alabama product possesses game-breaking speed but has yet to translate his raw talent into on-field production. Williams missed most of his rookie season while recovering from an ACL injury and finished the season with just one reception in six games. He then proceeded to serve a four-game gambling suspension in 2023 and didn’t do much of anything when on the field. In total, the wideout recorded just 24 receptions for 354 yards and two touchdowns on 42 targets.

For what it’s worth, Williams is reportedly one of the stars of offseason workouts. This doesn’t necessarily mean anything, as there isn’t much of a correlation between offseason stardom and on-field results. N’Keal Harry was an annual training camp winner, and last year at this point, Terrace Marshall was going to be the top option in Carolina’s passing attack. Maybe Williams will take the next step, but it wouldn’t hurt to sign Marquise Goodwin as free agent insurance.

Now entering his age-34 season, there is a strong possibility that nobody will sign Marquise Goodwin as a free agent. However, if the Lions don’t take a shot on him, one of these other five teams could bring him in.

Other Potential Destinations

Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers need wide receivers in the worst way, and they know it. After parting ways with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, the team is throwing everything at the wall and hoping something sticks. The Chargers selected three receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft, signed DJ Chark shortly thereafter, and tried to sign Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Valdes-Scantling’s free agent visit implies this team is still looking for speed, and Marquise Goodwin has plenty of that. Maybe he’s only good for a target or two a game, but pairing him with a rocket-armed quarterback in Justin Herbert makes plenty of sense.

New England Patriots

Just like the Lions, the New England Patriots have a highly-drafted third-year deep threat who has yet to show much of anything at the NFL level. However, unlike Jameson Williams, there is no reason to believe Tyquan Thornton can improve in Year 2. Widely considered a reach at the time, the Baylor product has done nothing to justify Bill Belichick’s investment. The Patriots need as many weapons as possible to support Drake Maye, and Goodwin’s verticality makes him a reasonable pairing for Maye’s willingness to go deep.

Kansas City Chiefs

The season is still months away and the Chiefs wide receiver depth chart is already getting tested. Rashee Rice will face a suspension while first-round rookie Xavier Worthy is battling a hamstring injury. Worthy’s injury currently isn’t believed to be serious, but it’s definitely something to monitor. If the wide receiver can’t stay on the field, then Marquise Goodwin is a fine free agent replacement. Even though the former third-round pick is past his prime, he still has great speed and can’t be worse than Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney.

Miami Dolphins

The Cincinnati Bengals have two superstar receivers in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle along with a reliable third option in Odell Beckham. Beckham can ensure this team has a variety of options in the passing game, but he no longer has the speed required to threaten a defense deep. Marquise Goodwin isn’t nearly as good as Hill or Waddle, but the free agent could be a decent insurance policy if injury strikes. Nobody loves speed more than Mike McDaniel, and his system is similar to the one Goodwin thrived in back in 2017.

New Orleans Saints

The Saints already have a reliable deep threat in Rashid Shaheed. However, they don’t have a Plan B if he goes down to injury. Derek Carr is a fine starting quarterback, but he’s not capable of elevating a flawed roster. Seeing as the offensive line is already compromised, New Orleans needs their receivers to step up. Marquise Goodwin is a fine free agent who could battle for the third or fourth role in the offense and step in if something happens to Shaeed.