The Detroit Lions' interest in Sammy Watkins is very real.
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NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport spoke with the Clemson wide receiver, who said Tuesday the Lions have made it clear they are very serious about potentially trading up for him.
The Lions have been on Watkins' scent for some time. Last month, the team rolled out the red carpet during a pre-draft visit attended by vice chairman Bill Ford Jr. and Lions receivers Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate.
Lions general manager Martin Mayhew remained open in his admiration with the playmaker during a Monday pre-draft news conference.
"All the players that are really, really good, I'm enamored with all of those guys," Mayhew said, according to the Detroit Free Press. "And the ones that aren't so good, I'm not enamored with.
"We like him as a football player, so we did our due diligence on him, as we've done on (Jadeveon) Clowney and other guys."
Mayhew praised Watkins' speed and hands, saying Detroit is always looking for a player who can "make a 5-yard play into a 90-yard play."
"Sammy's a very talented guy," Mayhew said. "He would fit us; he can make plays. His track record speaks for itself, I think."
Of course, the Lions aren't getting anywhere near Watkins if they stand pat at No. 10. Consider Detroit the early favorite to make the draft's first big trade splash.
*The "Around The League Podcast" Draft Preview Spectacular is all you need before draft day. *
