Another Fifth-Round Flyer, Another Prayer at Wide Receiver
The Lions burned their fifth-round pick on Kentucky wide receiver Kendrick Law, adding yet another body to what’s becoming a crowded and confusing receiver room. Law is your classic slot weapon who thrives on yards after the catch, which means he’s competing for the Kalif Raymond role that just walked out the door in free agency.
Look, we’ve been here before with late-round receivers. But Law’s story has some juice to it.
The Alabama Transfer Who Found His Game
Law spent three years buried on Alabama’s depth chart before transferring to Kentucky for his senior season. Smart move, honestly. Sometimes you need to leave the machine to prove you’re more than a spare part.
“I was at Alabama for three years and played there for three years, and then after my third year, I just felt like I needed to go to a kind of different system,” Law told Lions media. “The kind of system where I could be moved around a little bit more, put in different spots, create mismatches upon defenses, and just create value for myself across the board.”
The numbers tell the story. Three years at Alabama: 33 catches, 343 yards, one touchdown. One year at Kentucky: 53 catches, 540 yards, three touchdowns. That’s what happens when a coach actually uses you.
The YAC Machine
Here’s what caught my attention. Of Law’s 540 receiving yards at Kentucky, 505 came after the catch. That’s not a typo. Kentucky’s entire game plan was getting Law the ball in space and letting his 9.6 RAS athleticism do the rest.
“Once I get the ball in my hand, I just let my lower body half just kind of do the work and just I see angles, learn how to create space and just continue to accelerate,” Law said.
That sounds exactly like what this Lions offense loves to do. Quick game, space creators, let the athlete be an athlete. Ben Johnson’s wet dream, basically.
Law thinks he’s more than just a gadget player, claiming he can stretch the field vertically. “I can stretch the field, and I feel like that’s just something that the Lions will every day get to see from me,” he said. We’ll see about that. His college tape doesn’t exactly scream deep threat, but confidence never hurt anyone.
The Kalif Raymond Replacement Derby
With Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Isaac TeSlaa locked into starting roles, the Lions are looking at a genuine competition for the remaining receiver spots. Law is battling Dominic Lovett, Tom Kennedy, Malik Cunningham, and newly signed Greg Dortch for maybe two or three roster spots.
Raymond’s departure left a real hole in this offense. The Lions need that quick-twitch slot guy who can move the chains and create after the catch. Law and Lovett are the fastest of the bunch, but Dortch brings NFL experience that the rookies don’t have.
This is going to be one of the more interesting training camp battles to watch. Law might actually have a shot at a WR5 role if he can prove Kentucky wasn’t a fluke.
And yes, I know what you’re thinking. Another late-round receiver pick, another hope that this time will be different. But hey, that’s what being a Lions fan is all about.
Think Law actually has a shot at making this roster or are we just setting ourselves up for another camp darling who gets cut in August? Drop your take below.
