What happened: Smith and Palmer's league-wide receiver review turned to Detroit's position group under new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. Smith highlighted St. Brown's ability to create yards after the catch.
Why it matters: Petzing's first season coordinating Detroit's offense puts a premium on continuity from its leading receiver. Improved reliability would complement production that remained high despite the drops.
By the numbers: St. Brown caught 117 passes for 1,401 yards and 11 touchdowns in 17 games during 2025. He generated 570 yards after the catch and had 10 drops on 172 targets.
What to watch: Watch how Petzing deploys St. Brown and whether the receiver's drop rate recedes during the 2026 season.