MLive will preview each of the Detroit Lions’ position groups heading into the start of training camp on July 25. Today: Receivers. Previously: Running backs | Quarterbacks

Roster locks: Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola

Competing: Jermaine Kearse, Andy Jones, Travis Fulgham, Tommylee Lewis, Chris Lacy, Brandon Powell, Brandon Reilly, Deontez Alexander, Jonathan Duhart, Tom Kennedy

Notable departures: TJ Jones

Breakdown: For the first time since 2013, Matthew Stafford will open a season without Golden Tate. And make no mistake, that is a loss. No receiver has broken more tackles in the last five years, and no receiver has gained more yards after the catch. Tate was a maestro in the short field, and Stafford and the Lions relied heavily on that skill-set. They wanted Tate back too, but weren’t willing to meet his contract demands and eventually shipped him to Philadelphia in October. And the results weren’t pretty.

In seven games before the trade, Stafford was completing 67.6 percent of his passes for 14 touchdowns, six interceptions, 7.6 yards per attempt and a passer rating of 98.5. In nine games after the trade, Stafford completed 64.9 percent of his passes for seven touchdowns, five interceptions, 6.2 yards per attempt and a passer rating of 82.7.

Of course, Marvin Jones also didn’t play in the final seven games because of a knee injury. Kenny Golladay was the only opening day starter who finished the season at receiver, and he did it so banged up that he still hasn’t practiced fully since.

Still, the greater point stands. It’s impossible to understate Tate’s impact on the offense, and just how comfortable that safety valve was for Matthew Stafford. Now the Lions have replaced Tate with Danny Amendola, who caught 59 passes for 575 yards and one touchdown in Miami last year. That’s OK production, but certainly not Tate-type production either. And set to turn 34 this season, you have to figure Amendola’s best days are probably behind him.

Amendola did have a nice run in New England though, and Matt Patricia values that experience. And with Golladay and Marvin Jones still banged up, he had a lot of time to work on his chemistry with Matthew Stafford during spring ball. Those guys do look like they have a nice thing going, because nobody caught more footballs than Amendola.

With Tate out, there’s little ambiguity about who is this team’s No. 1 receiver now. While the passing attack fell apart last year, Golladay still managed to catch 70 passes for 1,063 yards and five touchdowns. That’s outstanding production when you consider just how much attention he drew because of all the injuries around him. He was the only real receiving threat down the stretch, and defenses were collapsing on him -- and he was playing hurt at that. And he still produced. This guy is already good, and could be on the precipice of joining the league’s elite. Not bad for a guy who was considered a “reach” by some when Bob Quinn took him in the third round just two years ago.

As for Jones, he was a monster downfield in 2017 -- leading the league in yards per catch -- but struggled to recapture that form in 2018. He caught just 35 of his 62 targets last season, for 508 yards and five touchdowns, before having to shut it down after nine games because of a knee injury. It was his least productive season since not playing at all in 2014. Yeah, the injury hurt, but his connection with Stafford also wasn’t the same when he was out there, and that pairing has work to do whenever Jones is healthy enough to begin practicing again. (Which should happen on Day 1 of training camp.)

Detroit’s starting three seems set. But there is nothing but uncertainty behind them. The Lions have 13 receivers under contract heading into the start of camp, and usually carry just five or six heading into the season. And there’s very little separating so many of those candidates for reserve jobs.

Jermaine Kearse, signed during minicamp in June, has starting experience in this Darrell Bevell-coached offense. He’s also just two years removed from the best season of his career. Then again, he just wasn’t very good last year. Perhaps the Lions will prefer Travis Fulgham, their sixth-round pick and a big downfield target. There is upside there for sure, but he still seemed raw in OTAs. Or maybe they opt for Andy Jones, who might be the best blocker of the bunch -- a valuable commodity in this offense -- and made some nice plays in the receiving game in the spring. Maybe they like Tommylee Lewis, who has experience at receiver and as a return man. Or maybe they decide to go young with a guy like Chris Lacy, who made a bunch of splash plays during the offseason. Then there’s Brandon Powell, who spent last season learning the slot from Tate. And don’t forget about Tom Kennedy, a former professional lacrosse player who looked like a former professional lacrosse player during the spring and early summer, but has undeniable speed.

Roster projection: Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola, Jermaine Kearse, Andy Jones