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The NFL delivered some bad news to the Detroit Lions on Friday, announcing multiple suspensions related to gambling violations.

Wide receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore have both been suspended indefinitely (at least one year), while wide receivers Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill will each serve six-game suspensions to start the 2023 season.

Cephus and Moore have already been released by the team following the suspensions.

This is obviously a huge blow for the Lions, who were having an otherwise stellar offseason, and coming off an impressive and promising 2022 campaign that saw them barely miss the postseason.

With the 2023 NFL Draft less than a week away, this development could also have a significant impact on the Lions’ plans for this year’s three-day event.

Detroit’s wide receiver depth is obviously taking a massive hit here, with Cephus off the roster completely, and both Williams and Berryhill gone for the first month and a half. Williams missed the start of last season while recovering from a torn ACL, but the No. 12 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft was primed for a breakout campaign in his sophomore season. Instead, he’ll have to wait to get started for the second year in a row.

Thankfully for Detroit, they have plenty of early draft picks with which they can address their need at receiver, which was already present, but now becomes more pressing. There aren’t any pass-catchers worthy of the Lions’ No. 6 overall pick, but they could land one of this year’s best receiver prospects at No. 18 overall. 

If they choose to go in different directions in the first round, the Lions still have a pair of second-rounders, and they should be able to find solid value in that range, if they feel the need to grab a player who can make an immediate impact in the starting lineup with Williams on the sideline.

If they decide to wait until Day 3, don’t be surprised if the Lions use multiple picks to help reload their depth at the position, guarding against potential injuries, and helping to boost their special teams units.