Lions Rookie WR Turning Heads, But Faces Uphill Battle for Roster Spot
The Detroit Lions are loaded with talent at wide receiver especially with star Amon-Ra St. Brown leading the charge. That deep roster could make things tough for rookie Jakobie Keeney-James, who’s fighting for a spot after joining the team as an undrafted free agent.
Despite his underdog status, Keeney-James is already grabbing attention thanks to his blazing speed. According to Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire, the rookie out of UMass made a strong impression during spring practices with his quick bursts and sure hands.
“He stood out with his instant speed and solid hands,” Risdon wrote, noting that Keeney-James is in the mix for the final WR spot on the roster. He’s competing with guys like Tom Kennedy, rookie Dominic Lovett, Ronnie Bell, and Malik Taylor for what might be the sixth receiver slot if the team even keeps that many.
One challenge for Keeney-James is his limited experience on special teams a big deal for rookies trying to make the roster. Risdon pointed out that while he hasn’t done much in that area, he was part of the punt return group during OTAs, which could be his ticket in.
Keeney-James is no slouch when it comes to athleticism. At his Pro Day, he clocked a 4.3 in the 40-yard dash one of the fastest times among this year’s wideouts. He even compared the feeling to flying, saying he hit that “Usain Bolt mode.”
Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic added to the hype, calling him “an elite athlete” and breaking down his stats: 4.37 40, a 40.5-inch vertical, and a 10’6″ broad jump. But, he also mentioned that Keeney-James only had one big season in college, which could make teams hesitate.
Still, with speed like his, he’s definitely worth a look especially if he can show he’s got more to offer on special teams. Training camp could be make-or-break for this under-the-radar prospect.
Lions’ Speedster in Danger: Roster Bubble Bursting for Athletic Rookie?
