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New Lions receiver Jeremy Kerley is coming off a season in which he had career lows in catches (16), yards (152) and yards per catch (9.5). But Kerley says while his numbers declined last year, his ability has not.

Kerley says the reason his production went in the tank is that the Jets’ new coaching staff made clear they didn’t have much use for him in the offense.

“I didn’t get to actually play. That was the main reason,” Kerley told MLive. “New coaching staff came in, they already knew the guys they wanted to play. They already had their scheme going, and they wanted bigger receivers.”

Kerley was buried so deep on the depth chart that he caught passes in only five games, and four of those were when Jets receiver Quincy Enunwa was suspended.

In the Lions’ offense, however, Kerley thinks he’s going to have a lot of opportunities to get the ball in his hands.

“They sling the ball everywhere, so you always need a handful of receivers,” Kerley said. “Everyone’s going to get a chance to get balls in the scheme they have, and help the team put up points. So along with that, they have a West Coast schematic kind of plan, and I think that fits my skill set.”

Kerley also returns punts, and the Lions have made a point of improving their special teams this offseason. Kerley may be a better fit for the Lions than he was for the Jets.