The Detroit Lions have been the warriors of the waiver wire the last few seasons, but are close to placing a 2009 third-round pick on waivers if he doesn't show some flash during the pre-season, writes Tom Kowalski.

Derrick Williams, a 5-11, 197-pound wide receiver from Penn State who chosen with the 82nd overall pick in last year's draft, caught just 6 passes for 52 yards as a rookie. Williams also averaged 22.2 yards on 42 kick returns, but Kowalski notes that Williams was expected to do much more than that:

"Inexplicably, he (Williams) had trouble fielding the ball, especially on punts. Williams was so shaky in that area that the Lions never allowed him to field a punt during the season.

"Williams, who was inactive for three of the first four games, was given a couple opportunities during the regular season to win the job of kickoff returner but failed every time."

Receivers tend to be hit or miss in any round, but Williams was arguably the second-best Nittany Lions receiver in the 2009 draft. (Deon Butler, who went 91st overall to the Seattle Seahawks, was more highly rated by most draft services) It will be interesting to see how long Lions general manager Martin Mayhew is willing to stick with Williams this summer.

Below are some notable receivers chosen within two rounds of Williams, along with their 2009 receiving production:

84. Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh (39-756-19.4-6)
107. Mike Thomas, Jacksonville (48-453-9.4-1)
108. Brian Hartline, Miami (31-506-16.3-3)
124. Louis Murphy, Oakland (34-521-15.3-4)
127. Austin Collie, Indianapolis (60-676-11.3-7)
140. Johnny Knox, Chicago (45-527-11.7-5)