2018 Combine Preview: Wide receiver

If there’s one position Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn and new head coach Matt Patricia should feel pretty good about – besides the quarterback spot – it's receiver. The Lions have a very nice trio with Marvin Jones Jr., Golden Tate and Kenny Golladay in place for 2018. Even a player like TJ Jones, who is a restricted free agent, is a very nice option as a No. 4. That doesn’t mean Quinn and Co. won’t be looking to bolster the position even more if the opportunity presents itself in the draft. There’s no telling what injuries can do. A position of strength one week can be a position of need the next. That’s how this league works. That being said, let’s take a look at some of the top pass catchers who will be showcasing their skills at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis next week: CALVIN RIDLEY School: Alabama Ht/Wt: 6-1, 190Best trait: Route running. He’s a polished and technical route runner who never seems to miss a step. Also take into account that he has terrific speed, and it’s easy to see why he separates from defenders so well. Concern: He has a thin frame and needs to add strength. Does he have the strength to operate and catch the ball in traffic? Skinny: His combination of route running and speed is pretty rare for a receiver coming into the league. He comes in having run a pro-style attack incorporating the entire route tree. He’s going to help a team right away. COURTLAND SUTTON School: SMU Ht/Wt: 6-4, 218 Best trait: Size. Sutton is a big, physical, long strider, which makes him an ideal weapon down the field and in the red zone. His catch radius is big, which is always a quarterback’s best friend. Concern: He’s a long strider because of his frame, but he doesn’t have terrific long speed. The 40 times at the Combine and at his Pro Day will be important for him. Skinny: He’s a big target that can come in and be a possession receiver and a weapon in the red zone. CHRISTIAN KIRK School: Texas A&M Ht/Wt: 5-11, 200 Best trait: Run-after-the-catch ability. He has a similar build and playing style as Golden Tate. He becomes a running back after catching the ball, with a unique ability to make defenders miss. He’s also a terrific punt and kickoff return man. Concern: He has a compact frame, which means he doesn’t have a huge catch radius. He also doesn’t possess great long speed. Skinny: He’s going to be able to catch the ball underneath, and make plays with his legs afterward. His return game is also a big plus, and could get him on the field right away. JAMES WASHINGTON School: Oklahoma State Ht/Wt: 5-10, 210 Best trait: Big-play potential. He finished among the FBS leaders with 1,549 receiving yards (20.9 average) this past season. He also led the FBS in catches of 50-plus yards and scored 13 touchdowns. His speed and down-the-field ability are his best traits. Concern: He’ll be asked to master a lot more of the route tree in the NFL than he had to in college. There could be an early adjustment there. Skinny: He was the best receiver at the Senior Bowl in January, and showed the same big-play ability there that he did the last four years at Oklahoma State. He’s going to come in and stretch the field for whatever team drafts him. MICHAEL GALLUP School: Colorado State Ht/Wt: 6-1, 202 Best trait: Athleticism. He has a good combination of size and speed. He’s also a crisp route runner and good runner after the catch. When it comes to playing the position, he does everything pretty well. Concern: He has to improve his blocking skills in the second and third level. Skinny: Gallup is still a little raw, but he has the right mix of production (176 catches for 2,685 yards and 21 touchdowns the past two seasons), athleticism and a high ceiling that will entice teams in Day 2 or 3 of the draft.