How much could Jeremy Maclin help the Detroit Lions? Rookie Kenny Golladay is the Lions' No. 3 WR, but veterans like Anquan Boldin and Jeremy Maclin are out there if the team wants to make a Matt Asiata-like move

Dave Birkett | Detroit Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Watch: Calvin Johnson, the teacher Former Detroit Lions star receiver Calvin Johnson instructs players at his Catching Dreams camp Saturday, May 20, 2017.

The Detroit Lions had five players top 50 catches for the first time in franchise history last season, yet their offense still lacks "oomph" in the receiving corps.

Golden Tate is as steady a receiver as there is the NFL, one with at least 90 catches in three straight years, but his 11.5 yards per reception as a Lion shows he's not much of a big-play threat.

Marvin Jones has the speed and ability to stretch the field, but he's coming off a disappointing first season with the Lions.

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Theo Riddick (assuming he's healthy) and Eric Ebron give the team two more reliable weapons, but at the running back and tight end positions.

As thin as the Lions are at wide receiver, there remain a handful of productive veterans available in free agency should the team pursue a Matt Asiata-type move in the eight weeks between now and training camp.

Anquan Boldin, who served as the Lions' No. 3 receiver last year (and led the team with eight touchdowns), still plans on playing this fall and is expected to decide for which team in the coming weeks.

Boldin would be confined to slot duties again with the Lions and wouldn't help in the return game, but the Lions had not ruled out re-signing Boldin as of last month.

Calvin Johnson: Football camp 'my way of giving back' Former Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson held his Catch a Dream football camp at Southfield A&T High School on May 20, 2017. Video by Kirthmon F. Dozier/DFP

The Kansas City Chiefs caught many by surprise last week when they released Jeremy Maclin, their third-leading receiver last year with 44 catches for 536 yards.

Maclin missed four games with injuries in 2016 and at age 29 is on the backside of his career, but he also topped 1,000 yards receiving in 2014-15 while catching passes from the likes of Alex Smith, Mark Sanchez and Nick Foles.

Both Boldin and Maclin are represented by the same agent, Tom Condon, who represents Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and helped make Boldin-to-the-Lions a reality last year.

Beyond Boldin and Maclin, who reportedly has interest from the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens, among others, Eddie Royal and Jordan Norwood are among the receivers still available in free agency. Both will play this fall at 31 years old, and both have return ability should the Lions prefer to try and upgrade that unit. Last year, the Lions pursued Norwood unsuccessfully as a free agent.

For now, the Lions have rookie Kenny Golladay penciled in as their No. 3 receiver and a host of players competing for the No. 4/return job including Jace Billingsley and Keshawn Martin.

Golladay has shown plenty of promise in his first month in the NFL, and his development may keep the Lions, who kept just four receivers on their 53-man roster most of last season, on the sidelines when it comes to late-spring wide receiver additions.

He's tall and speedy, he put up big numbers at Northern Illinois, and the Lions have posted some impressive video of him making one-handed catches during organized team activities, though Lions coach Jim Caldwell acknowledged the learning curve that all rookies (and especially receivers) go through when asked about Golladay last week.

"He’s one of those guys that really works at it," Caldwell said. "Obviously, we know he has the height and skill set to play the position, but like anything else, with a young guy he’s learning."

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.

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