NFL Draft 2026: WR Medical Report - Donaven McCulley, Demarcus Lacey, Deion Burks
Lions have shown interest by meeting with all 3 of these wideouts
In this final week before the NFL draft, I’ll try to analyze players who have formally met with the Lions. The following are 2 WR’s who have had Top-30 visits and another who met with the Lions at the NFL combine.
While the WR position is at the rock-bottom in my Lions Positional Need Rankings, you just never know with Brad Holmes, whose draft philosophy is to get a player he loves rather than reaching for a need.
For more player analyses, read my complete NFL 2026 Draft Prospect Medical Reports.
Medical concern level ranges from 0 (no concern) to 5 (might be worth the risk if the reward is high) to 10 (take him off your board, Brad).
(Ages in parentheses are at start of 2026 season and are factored into the concern level. Injury info and ages based on available public information and are unverified - subject to update. Games played data courtesy of sports-reference.com.)
Quick summary of medical concern levels
Donaven McCulley, WR (23): lower body injury, concussion/neck? - 2/10
Demarcus Lacey, WR (22?): unspecified injury in 2024 - 3/10
Deion Burks, WR (23): neck?, multiple concussions, thigh - 7/10
Donaven McCulley, WR (23) - Michigan
Projected round 6-7. Matt Miller’s #362 overall player. Top-30 visit with Lions.
Concern level 2/10
2025: 13/13 games. Exited game with possible lower body injury.
2024: 4/13 games. Possible concussion or neck injury. Left the program after 4 games.
2023: 12/12 games
2022: 12/12 games
2021: 7/12 games
McCulley has a couple injuries to clear up, but has been very reliable throughout his college career. As a Michigan fan, I watched all his games hoping he would get targeted more, as he showed impressive playmaking ability when he did get the ball. The Wolverines woeful passing attack last season shouldn’t be held against him when he had 39 receptions.
He finished with 105 receptions for 1422 yards in his career.
Demarcus Lacey, WR (22?) - Marshall
Projected round undrafted. Top-30 visit with Lions.
Concern level 3/10
2025: 12/12 games
2024: 7/14 games. Unspecified season-ending injury in Game 8.
2022-2023 (North Alabama)
Given the undrafted projection, there isn’t much public info on Lacey. The Lions had him in for a visit likely to evaluate the significant injury he had in 2024. It’s reassuring he bounced back to have a solid, reliable 2025 season in which he caught 65 passes for 769 yards.
Deion Burks, WR (23) - Oklahoma
Projected round 3-4. Ran 4.30 40 at combine. Matt Miller’s #108 overall player. Met with Lions at combine.
Concern level 7/10
2025: 13/13 games
2024: 5/13 games. Thigh contusion, missed 5 games. Concussion, missed final 3 games of season.
2023: 12/12 games
2022: 14/14 games. Possible concussion/neck injury in bowl game, transfer to hospital and cleared.
2021: 4 games
Burks has two head/neck injuries that are concerning. One was very likely a concussion that may have also included a neck injury which necessitated a hospital evaluation. The cervical spine will need to be cleared by medical.
The other concussion kept him out for multiple weeks. The concern going forward is whether he is prone to concussions, and how much time he will need to miss with any future concussions. There is even a risk that further concussions could threaten his career. The Lions’ experience with Jahvid Best is relevant here.
A thigh injury that cost him multiple weeks also warrants further investigation. The good news is he had a reliable final season of college.
Burks accumulated 151 receptions for 1669 yards in college.
For medical reports on 3 of the top WR draft prospects, all of whom have significant concerns…