The Detroit Lions were featured on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” during preseason training last year. The team went on to have an amazing season and ended the year spoiling the Green Bay Packers’ playoff hopes.
In one of the episodes of “Hard Knocks,” Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown recalled the 16 wide receivers who were selected before him in the 2021 NFL Draft.
St. Brown finished his second NFL season with 1,161 receiving yards on 106 receptions. His performance earned him the first Pro Bowl selection of his career, but St. Brown still hasn’t forgotten about those other players in his potions pool who were drafted better than he was.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions greets fans after defeating the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 8, 2023 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
“Actually, I still think so,” the wide receiver admitted earlier this week during an appearance on NFL Network.
“Actually, I have my goals written down in my notebook. What I want to achieve each year. So what I want to achieve this year before the season, my personal goals, and right below that I have 16 receivers listed.” , where they went to college just below that. So, I read through that entire list three times before I go to practice every day. It is something I will never forget. Something I make sure I always remember.”
Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase and Dolphins wideout Jaylen Waddle are two of the notable names on St. Brown’s roster. But also included in the list are other players who no longer play for the team that drafted them, such as Elijah Moore and Amari Rodgers.
Moore was drafted by the Jets but was traded to the Browns in March. Meanwhile, Rodgers spent the final six games of the 2022 season with the Texans after being drafted by the Packers.
Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions prevents a tackle from Shaq Thompson #7 of the Carolina Panthers during the fourth quarter of the game at Bank of America Stadium on December 24, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Eakin Howard/Getty Images)
St. Brown’s 196 receptions tied him with Justin Jefferson and Michael Thomas for the most receptions in NFL history through a player’s first two seasons.
In April, the Lions drafted former Alabama standout Jahmyr Gibbs in the first round and tight end Sam LaPorta in the second. St. Brown expressed confidence in the potential impact those rookies will have on the Lions’ offense in 2023.
Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs (1) runs the ball during the Allstate Sugar Bowl between the Kansas State Wildcats and the Alabama Crimson Tide on December 31, 2022 at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Kevin Langley/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“I think (general manager) Brad (Holmes) and the guys here in Detroit did a great job on the draft,” St. Brown said. “Obviously, they drafted me, they found me in the fourth round, so they know how to find talent. OTA, it’s a little hard to tell without pads, but there are a ton of guys that I think are going to be great for us. Our running back who we have, Jahmyr Gibbs.
“Mostly I watch the offense, so I see a lot of those guys. I can’t wait to see what he does for us. Explosive running back. Our tight end (Sam LaPorta), he launched during OTAs, so I can’t wait to see you all come out and have fun.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Lions offense ranked fifth in scoring in 2022. Detroit opens the regular season Sept. 7 at Arrowhead Stadium against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
