Detroit Lions Rumors: Sammy Watkins Requests Draft Trade Up After Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate Praises, Ryan Broyles Released Despite Clearance?

Apr 10, 2014 11:09 AM EDT

Sammy Watkins believes he is the best player in the upcoming NFL Draft and it appears the Detroit Lions do as well. After an impressive Pro Day, the wide receiver told media that the sky is the limit on what he can do on the football field and he believes every team should consider making a move for him. Apparently, the Detroit Lions heard him loud and clear and believe the wide receiver could look good running with Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate.

The Lions will make their first pick at No. 10. Tate will be gone in the top five and Detroit is well aware that will happen. Multiple are looking at Watkins as their next top receiver, causing Detroit to contemplate a move. According to the Detroit Free Press, there is a growing sense that the Lions are seeking a trade up in order to grab Watkins and create a one-two-three punch at the position.

If the Lions are moving up, it will have to be to the No. 2 pick. Any later and Watkins could be gone. Dave Birkett writes that the Lions plan on waiting until the St. Louis Rams are on the clock before calling and seeing about a trade option. The team would be happy landing someone like Jadeveon Clowney, but they prefer Watkins.

The feeling is mutual between the two sides. Watkins told the Detroit Free Press that it would be an honor to be a member of the Lions and play alongside who he called the best receivers in the game.

"It would definitely be an honor playing with Megatron and Golden Tate, having Reggie Bush and Matthew Stafford," Watkins said."They're doing a great job with the program with all the coaches. If I ever go there, sky's the limit."

The interest in Watkins brings into question a lot for the Lions. Is there a day where Johnson is simply too much for their salary cap limits? Is Tate going to be the same player with a different quarterback. Is Ryan Broyles considered done by the team standards? Investing in Watkins especially with a trade will not be cheap, so do the Lions really need him?

"Anything can happen," Watkins said. "You don't know what team's jumping up for the first pick, anybody can be jumping up, so who knows? You never know."

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