Dan Campbell's Ex-Team Joins Detroit Lions In Scouting 1,422 -Yards Michigan Star
November 22, 2025: Michigan Wolverines WR 1 Donaven McCulley catches a pass during a NCAA, College League, USA football game between the University of Maryland Terrapins and Michigan Wolverines at SECU Stadium in College Park MD. /CSM College Park United States of America - ZUMAc04_ 20251122_zma_c04_255 Copyright: xJustinxCooperx
November 22, 2025: Michigan Wolverines WR 1 Donaven McCulley catches a pass during a NCAA, College League, USA football game between the University of Maryland Terrapins and Michigan Wolverines at SECU Stadium in College Park MD. /CSM College Park United States of America - ZUMAc04_ 20251122_zma_c04_255 Copyright: xJustinxCooperx
The Detroit Lions are again looking at a familiar college connection, but this time the focus is on wide receiver depth before the 2026 NFL Draft. The player drawing attention is Donaven McCulley, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound wide receiver out of Michigan.
College sports business reporter Pete Nakos posted about this on X, saying:
"Michigan WR Donaven McCulley recently completed a private workout for the New Orleans Saints and is coming off a top-30 visit with the Detroit Lions, his reps, Billy Davis & Jeff Chukwuma of FOA Sports Group, tell."
It seems that apart from the Lions, the New Orleans Saints also have eyes on McCulley. This is interesting, given Saints serve as the "ex-team" of the current Lions HC, Dan Campbell.
November 22, 2025, College Park, Maryland, USA: Michigan Wolverines wide receiver DONAVEN MCCULLEY 1 runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium in College Park, MD on November 22, 2025. College Park USA - ZUMAp190 20251122_zsp_p190_029 Copyright: xNickxPiacentex
November 22, 2025, College Park, Maryland, USA: Michigan Wolverines wide receiver DONAVEN MCCULLEY 1 runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown. The Michigan Wolverines defeated the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium in College Park, MD on November 22, 2025. College Park USA - ZUMAp190 20251122_zsp_p190_029 Copyright: xNickxPiacentex
McCulley’s path started at Indiana, and he later transferred to Michigan. In the 2025 season, he put up 39 catches for 588 yards and three touchdowns, as per ESPN. Across his college career, he finished with 1,422 receiving yards.
The Michigan WR is more of a physical receiver who can handle contested catches and help in the red zone. McCulley’s big frame, contested-catch ability, and willingness as a blocker align with the tough, physical style Dan Campbell has built in Detroit.
According to Anne Erickson from Heavy Sports, he is expected to be a “late day three candidate or priority undrafted free agent.”
But the question remains: Do Dan Campbell's Lions need a wide receiver?
Do Lions Really Need Another WR?
Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions look well-stocked at WR. Amon-Ra St. Brown continues to put up big numbers out of the slot, Jameson Williams brings explosive deep speed, and Isaac TeSlaa flashed real promise as a rookie with strong contested-catch ability. They also added Greg Dortch in free agency for slot and return help, while young pieces like Dominic Lovett and Jackson Meeks give them extra depth.
The Detroit News called wide receiver "Detroit's least pressing need" with a "very low" level of need. MLive writer Kory Woods echoed that sentiment.
That doesn't mean they will completely ignore the position. Dan Campbell loves competition, and they have 9 picks to work with. But any addition would likely be a late-round developmental guy rather than someone expected to start right away. Right now, the WR position isn't where the real holes are.
Do you think the Lions need another WR?
Follow Detroit Lions Community for more.
Written by
Anjali Thakur
Edited by
Zaid Quraishi