Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers practice - August 9, 2016

Lions receiver Marvin Jones runs after making a catch during Tuesday's practice with Pittsburgh.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

LATROBE, Pa. -- While Calvin Johnson contemplated retirement, Golden Tate said he was ready to become the Detroit Lions' No. 1 receiver.

But it's looking more and more every day like that won't be needed.

Tate is expected to play a big role in the Lions offense this season, but it is prized free-agent acquisition Marvin Jones who looks like the club's top wideout. And in recent days, it hasn't been all that close.

On Tuesday, quarterback Matthew Stafford got his first chance to work against a foreign defense, and he went to Jones repeatedly, targeting him with seven of his 14 passes during team drillsat a joint practice with the Steelers.

Jones caught six of those passes. No one else had more than two.

"Yeah, I think so," Stafford said, when asked if he were developing a chemistry with Jones. "There's a ton of work to be done between now and the season opener. That's what these days are for."

Jones has been Stafford's favorite target throughout most of camp, with Tate, Anquan Boldin and tight end Eric Ebron also earning a lot of looks. But Ebron is hurt right now, and Tate is battling an uncharacteristic bout of dropsies.

He had a drop in the mock game on Saturday, and another two against the Steelers.

Jones has been more sure-handed, sucking up practically everything in his orbit. That includes the short to intermediate routes, and in