The Detroit Lions continue to steer toward a future transition.

Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports the Lions have informed wide receiver Kenny Golladay he will not receive the franchise tag ahead of Tuesday's deadline. Golladay will officially become a free agent.

There was speculation as to whether the Lions would look to tag Golladay with Marvin Jones also headed for free agency. Detroit signed former Chargers and Raiders receiver Tyrell Williams, though it seemed unlikely he would be a No. 1 guy in 2021.

Golladay is absolutely a No. 1 receiver. New general manager Brad Holmes suggested as much. He had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2018 and 2019, hauling in 11 touchdown receptions in 2019. Golladay is as good as anyone when it comes to making contested catches, and big-play ability oozes from him. Indeed, the 27-year-old is averaging 16.8 yards per reception for his career.

However, Detroit looks ready to go in another direction. Might this suggest the Lions will take a receiver in the first round of next month's draft?

The Lions have the No. 7 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft after going 5-11 in 2020. They stand a decent chance at landing someone like Kyle Pitts or Jaylen Waddle, and that's if both Ja'Marr Chase and DeVonta Smith are already off the board. Or, perhaps Detroit trades back to accrue capital given the receiving depth in this year's class.

Golladay, meanwhile, should be incredibly desirable. He and Allen Robinson could be two of the most attractive wide receivers on the open market after Chris Godwin received the franchise tag from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, though Robinson could still be tagged as well.