The Detroit Lions surprised many by taking a wide receiver in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and they may not be done adding to the position. According to a couple different reports, the Lions are hosting at least two veteran receivers for free agent visits on Tuesday.
Per Aaron Wilson, the Lions are hosting James Proche, and per Adam Schefter they’re also hosting Scotty Miller.
Proche is a six-year NFL veteran who most recently played for the Tennessee Titans last year. There he played in
nine games, started two, and finished the season with six catches for 65 yards. More notably, he recently served as a kick returner for the Cleveland Browns in the 2023 and 2024 season. He also has plenty of return experience on both punts and kicks from his college days at SMU.
Originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round, Proche is a 5-foot-11 player with modest athleticism. While his offensive playing time has been very limited as of late (just 247 snaps in last three years combined), he does bring some versatility between the slot and as an outside receiver.
In a lot of ways, Miller has a similar skillset. He’s even smaller than Proche—listed at 5-foot-9, 174 pounds—and has less experience as a returner (just two kick returns and three punt returns in his seven-year career). That said, Miller has found niche offensive roles in each of his seven seasons. He’s played at least 135 snaps in every single year, including 368 offensive plays for the Steelers over the last two years.
Miller’s best season came way back in 2020, when he pulled in 33 catches for 501 yards and three touchdowns. Since then, he’s only put together 14 catches for 131 yards over the past two seasons.
The Lions don’t necessarily have a pressing need at receiver right now. Not only are their three starters set in Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Isaac TeSlaa, but they also signed Greg Dortch in free agency, drafted Kendrick Law in the fifth round this year and Dominic Lovett in the seventh round last year. Detroit also already has nine receivers on their roster, so the team may just be updating their scouting reports on these free agents. Or maybe they’re looking to add a few more receivers before OTAs begin. We’ll update this post if they end up signing either player.
