Former Lions WR Predicted to Take on Big Role With New Team

Josh Reynolds was a steady receiver for parts of three seasons with the Detroit Lions, using his connection with quarterback Jared Goff to make contributions from below the top of the depth chart.

But the 30-year-old could now face the biggest opportunity of his career, moving to a rebuilding New York Jets team where he has the ability to become one of the team’s top targets.

Josh Reynolds Could ‘Surprise’ Jets This Year

ESPN’s Rich Cimini named Reynolds as the “surprise” player for the Jets in 2025, noting that he looks to be the team’s top wide receiver behind Garrett Wilson.

“After a strong offseason, Reynolds is the clear-cut leader for the WR2 job,” Cimini wrote. “He arrived with little fanfare as a free agent (one year, $2.8 million), mainly because of a down 2024 with the Broncos and Jaguars. It also was a turbulent year; he suffered arm and head wounds in a shooting.”

Cimini added that Reynolds is already familiar with New York’s new head coach, who was the offensive coordinator during his time in Detroit.

“New Jets coach Aaron Glenn knows Reynolds from their time in Detroit, where the 30-year-old receiver was a solid complementary option,” Cimini wrote. “Beyond Garrett Wilson, the Jets lack big-play ability after cutting Davante Adams. Reynolds has separated from Allen Lazard and others.”

Reynolds has never topped 1,000 yards in his career — his most yards came in 2020, when he had 618, and his highest touchdown output was five in 2023. But he could see a new opportunity with a Jets team that parted ways with quarterback Aaron Rodgers in favor of Justin Fields, signaling a new direction for the offense.

Lions Receiver Facing Make-or-Break Season

The Lions could have some drama in their wide receiver room this season as well, with speedy Jameson Williams facing what many see as a make-or-break season.

Though he came to the team with plenty of expectations, Williams has seen some off-the-field trouble as he faced two separate NFL suspensions, the first for breaking the league’s rules against gambling and the second for a failed performance-enhancing drug test. He also spent most of his rookie season rehabbing a torn ACL suffered in college.

Williams earned a fifth-year extension but is still awaiting a long-term deal, which could depend on his output this season.

The former Alabama receiver has already made a good impression on new offensive coordinator John Morton, who praised his work ethic and willingness to learn.

“Unbelievable. Just unbelievable,” Morton said, via The Athletic. “When I first got here, he came in to see me, we had a chat and I’m painting the picture, this is what you need to do, this is how I see it and he has been unbelievable. Unbelievable. In the meetings, the attention to detail, I mean, I’m so excited to see him this year. It’s going to be a breakout year for him. So I can’t wait, I just can’t wait, man.”

Williams has also gotten praise from head coach Dan Campbell, who stuck by the young receiver through the troubles of his first three NFL seasons.