The Detroit Lions already have one player from the Michigan Wolverines football on their roster in star pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson, whom they selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. Still, the franchise could soon add another Wolverines product. Detroit has reportedly shown interest in a Michigan wide receiver, a move that could strengthen the team’s receiving depth and provide another option for quarterback Jared Goff.

Detroit is preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 23–25 in Pittsburgh. Many analysts believe the team will prioritize an offensive tackle early in the event, but with nine total selections, the Lions have flexibility to address other positions as well. One of those picks could potentially be used on an emerging receiver from Michigan.

Michigan Receiver Emerges as Possible Lions Target

According to football analyst Pete Nakos, the Lions recently hosted Michigan wideout Donaven McCulley for a top-30 pre-draft visit. The report also indicated that McCulley met with Detroit before heading to a workout with the New Orleans Saints.

Although the team has not publicly revealed details about the meeting, the visit suggests Detroit is at least evaluating the possibility of adding another Wolverines player to its roster.

McCulley’s college career began with the Indiana Hoosiers football before he later transferred to Michigan. During the 2025 season, he recorded 39 receptions for 588 yards and three touchdowns. At 6-foot-4, he brings notable size to the position and could eventually develop into a dependable NFL receiver with the right coaching and system.

Most draft projections currently place McCulley as a late Day 3 selection or a priority undrafted free agent. If the Lions were able to land him in either scenario, it could prove to be strong value.

Why McCulley Could Make Sense for Detroit

Detroit already features one of the league’s more dynamic receiving duos in Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Should McCulley join the roster, learning alongside established playmakers like them could help accelerate his development and potentially elevate his ceiling over time.

In 2025, McCulley started all 13 games for the Wolverines. Prior to transferring, he spent four seasons with Indiana, giving him a relatively experienced background compared to many college prospects.

Scouting evaluations describe McCulley as a physical receiver who uses his size effectively at the catch point. However, analysts also note that his statistical production has been modest and that his athletic traits are considered average by NFL standards.

Reports indicate that he possesses adequate quickness and athletic ability but must show he can consistently defeat tight man coverage. He is not known as a natural separator and does not frequently outrun defenders on deep routes. Still, he shows strong awareness when working back to the football and uses his length and hand extension to shield defenders when making catches.

His ability to secure contested passes is viewed as a strength, though translating that success against faster, more physical NFL cornerbacks will be a challenge.

Late-round picks always involve some degree of uncertainty. Even so, taking a chance on a prospect like McCulley—particularly one coming from Michigan’s program—could be an intriguing move for the Lions if they believe his upside can be developed at the professional level.