Calvin Johnson has led the Lions in receiving each year since 2008, his second season with Detroit. During that time no other Lions wide receiver has emerged as a strong No. 2 threat. The past six seasons the most yards gained by one of Johnson's wide-receiver teammates is 757 by Nate Burleson in 2011 while no other Lions receiver has a season with more than 625 yards.
The acquisition of Golden Tate this past offseason could break this trend and give the Lions a formidable 1-2 punch on the outside.
How does Tate complement Megatron?
Underneath threat: Johnson finished with the second-most receptions of more than 10 yards downfield last season (40). Tate, on the other hand, caught 53 of his 64 passes within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage.
Most YAC per Reception – Last Season
Yards after catch: Tate averaged 7.8 yards after the catch last season, best of any wide receiver with 50 receptions.
Yards after contact: How did Tate finished with such a high YAC rate? He averaged the most yards after contact on receptions (2.62 yards) in the NFL. Calvin Johnson finished 2nd (2.61).
Sure hands: Tate dropped only four of his 96 targets last season (4.2%), which would have been the best on the Lions (minimum 40 targets). Detroit receivers finished with a league-worst drop rate (7.5 percent).
