WR Tom Kennedy – top NFL receiver so far?

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Mike Gambill | Last updated 8/17/22

Before you rub your eyes and check to make sure you’re reading the article heading correctly, it’s true that Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy currently leads all receivers in the NFL for total yardage. OK, we’ve had one preseason game and while nobody wins WR MVP awards for the preseason, Kennedy’s performance in last Friday’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles sets the tone for the Lions offense going into Week 2 against the Cleveland Browns.

Tom Kennedy is trying to make a name for himself with the Lions.

Tom Kennedy enters his third season with the Lions and between 2019 through the current training camp has bounced back and forth between the active roster and the Lions practice squad. Kennedy had somewhat of a productive 2021 season with six catches for 54 yards, a nine yard average in 12 game appearances. Kennedy’s most memorable highlight isn’t a reception but his 75 yard TD pass to Kalif Raymond against the Green Bay Packers in last season’s finale.

Kennedy leads all NFL receivers going into Week Two of the Preseason.

Despite the dubious outcome of Week One’s preseason game against the Eagles, WR Tom Kennedy pulled in eight receptions for 104 yards with his longest reception being 13 yards. Kennedy ran 12 targeted routes and converted on 8 of those throws and now leads all NFL receivers in the preseason. While it’s doubtful that

Kennedy will continue to lead in receptions and yardage down the road, his performance last week may solidify his chances of making the Lions active roster heading out of training camp this year.

Currently Kennedy sits behind Amon-Ra St. Brown as a number two receiver on the Lions unofficial depth chart in training camp at this point. With more preseason production, Tom Kennedy may well find himself involved in more passing action from Jared Goff and if anything, he’s a proven TD passer who can be counted on for various offensive gadget plays that Dan Campbell & Company may be cooking up for this season.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: