2017 NFL Draft: Kenny Golladay drafted by the Detroit Lions

Northern Illinois wide receiver Kenny Golladay will join the Pride at Ford Field for the start of his professional career.

Golladay joins Corey Davis (5th overall), Taylor Moton (64th overall), Tarell Basham (80th overall) and Kareem Hunt (86th overall) as MAC alum drafted in 2017.

Golladay was the 96th overall selection and was drafted with a pick the Lions acquired as part of a trade-down with the New England Patriots, who used the Lions’ former pick to acquire Troy OT Antonio Garcia.

Golladay will join a receiving corps that could use bodies, as Anquan Boldin has yet to make a decision on whether or not he will come back to the team and there isn’t a lot of depth behind returning receivers Golden Tate III and Marvin Jones.

If you’re looking for an athlete with prototypical size and freakish measurables, Golladay is your guy. Standing at six-foot-four, 213 lbs. with a 32-inch arm length and running a 4.5 40-yard dash, Golladay will remind a lot of people of a certain former Detroit Lions receiver with his ability to stretch for the catch.

Golladay was primarily an outside receiving option at NIU due largely to necessity, but he should look to compete for time as a slot receiver immediately, especially if Boldin doesn’t return to Detroit.

His selection at 96th overall was somewhat of a surprise. Many prognosticators had Golladay a fourth-or-fifth round selection, with CBS Sports ranking Golladay the 19th best receiver, while ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. had Golladay ranked 35th best.

He’ll join Jerrad Davis and Teez Tabor in the Detroit Lions draft class. The Lions have six draft picks remaining, including two fourth-round picks and two sixth-round picks.

Golladay’s full draft profile can be seen here.