ORLANDO, Fla. -- Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew isn't making any attempt to hide his love for Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins.

He was forthright about dropping in on Watkins' pro day earlier this month, and went so far as to say he and coach Jim Caldwell had dinner with Watkins' family during their visit to South Carolina.

"Jim and I had a meal with them and really enjoyed spending time with them," Mayhew said with unusual candidness during the NFL owners' meetings at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes hotel.

Lions coach Jim Caldwell said he valued watching a prospect's interplay with his parents while recruiting at Wake Forest, and that process has value even at the NFL level.

"I've always loved to watch the interaction between an individual and his parents," Caldwell said. "You know that old scripture in the Bible, honor thy mother and father? Well typically you can tell what kind of young man it is (by how they treat their parents).

"Most people think you can change them. But you watch the people they are closest to, and hold dearest to their heart, and how they treat them? Gives you a pretty good indication of what's going to happen in your program when you get them. So, obviously I think some of those things still hold true, even at this level, just watching that interaction."

Whether that interest actually turns into a trade -- which almost certainly would be required for the Lions to snag Watkins -- or is a smoke screen for the Lions' true plans will remain a mystery until draft day.

But for now, there's no mistaking Detroit loves what it sees in the draft's top receiver.

"He's an outstanding player," Mayhew said. "Obviously, he's got the speed, he's got the quickness, he's got the playmaking ability. Another guy you can just get the ball in his hands and he can make something happen.

"And the big games that he played, he had some of his best performances. He's a clutch guy, he's a clutch performer."

Mayhew seemingly was referring to games such as last season's Orange Bowl, when Watkins racked up 16 catches for 227 yards against Ohio State and was named the game's MVP.

He rewrote the Clemson record books with 240 career catches and 3,391 yards, and was named a second-team All-American last year.

Watkins stands 6-foot-1 and 211 pounds, and is widely regarded as the top receiver in the draft. His stock has continued to climb as the draft draws near, with many now ticketing him for the top five.

That means the Lions, sitting at No. 10, almost assuredly would have to trade up if they were serious about adding Watkins to a receiver corps that already features Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate.

This year's draft class is believed to be among the deepest in recent memory, which could mean more quality players will be available in the middle rounds. And that could deter teams from trading away those picks to move up.

But Mayhew said he does not believe there are 10 elite difference-makers in this draft, and that if the Lions have a chance to move into position to grab one of the guys they do believe is elite, they'll do it.

"I think the depth of the draft is obviously a factor, in terms of you start thinking about trading up, what are you missing out on?" Mayhew said. "But sometimes the guys are elite players who are difference-makers.

"If you're picking 10, and there's five elite players, and you can get one of those guys (in the top five), we think there's value in (doing that)."