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Should Detroit Lions gamble with Breshad Perriman?

By Brian Spaen

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On Wednesday, the Detroit Lions hosted wide receiver Breshad Perriman from Central Florida. The move was interesting considering the team’s needs aren’t at receiver and it’s unlikely they’ll take one late in the first round — which is where Perriman is likely going to go. But would taking a talented athlete like him be worth it in the future?

Perriman didn’t go to the NFL Scouting Combine this year because he had to nurse a hamstring injury, but he certainly impressed during UCF’s pro day over a week ago. Here’s a Vine video showing a 40-time of approximately 4.3 seconds.

The video is important because you can hear Lance Newmark, who is the Lions’ assistant director of college scouting. He was the responsible man in bringing Perriman to a pre-draft visit in Detroit.

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Perriman’s speed is also significant because of his frame. The hefty receiver checks in at 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds. According to the Lions’ official website, Perriman had 50 catches for 1,044 yards and nine touchdowns last season. That’s the first time a UCF receiver had over 1,000 receiving yards since 2006.

The receiver is also very confident, who explains the benefits of a team picking him.

"“They’ll be getting an all around good player,” Perriman said of the team that ends up drafting him. “A player who can do multiple things. Can be a deep threat. Can use his quickness to get open on underneath routes. Can block. Also a good person, who’ll be doing good things in the community.”"

Perriman didn’t just pat himself on the back, however. He listed things he has to work on such as running routes and improved focus when it comes to catching the ball. That was magnified after pro day when Pro Football Focus’ Steve Palazzolo reported that Perriman had a 14 percent drop rate and 12.96% on catchable passes.

Based on latest projections, Perriman is going to be off the board late in the first round. He’s not on the upper echelon of receivers like Kevin White and Amari Cooper, but still a solid player with a lot of upside. Is him going as the 23rd overall pick to the Lions a little high? Sort of, but the Lions could also gamble and draft down to try and get him.

Either way, Josh Katzenstein of The Detroit News believes that Perriman would be a long-term project and could be the next Calvin Johnson.

"The Lions are committed to tight end Eric Ebron being their No. 3 target next season, but Perriman could still be an option at No. 23 in the first round because the Lions will eventually need to find a big, physical receiver to replace Calvin Johnson."

There’s also the family link. Brett Perriman is Breshad’s father, and he played with the Lions between 1991 and 1996. He helped the Lions win the NFC Central Division title in 1991 and 1993 and to playoff berths in four of his six years with the team.

However, the Lions can’t ignore their needs which are at the line. Most mock drafts have them picking either an offensive or defensive tackle, with players such as Malcom Brown or Eddie Goldman on the defensive side and D.J. Humphries and Cameron Erving on offense.

Assuming Perriman will still be available at 23rd, the Lions will have to judge who’s available in the group of tackles they’ve been looking at and pick between current need and potential quality skillplayer. Unless they move in the draft, a safer bet would be to take a lineman as 23rd may simply be too high to justify for Perriman.

Next: Detroit Lions should target Melvin Gordon

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