It likely will take some work to get there, but momentum appears to be building for a Sammy Watkins-Lions marriage Thursday night.
The Clemson product and the top-rated wide receiver in this year’s NFL Draft revealed to The Post on Tuesday that Detroit is in hot pursuit leading up to the first round.
“It’s looking pretty serious [with the Lions],” Watkins said at a promotional event for new cable channel Revolt in Times Square.
Detroit’s apparent interest in Watkins — they were the only team to request two predraft interviews with him — could mean some early drama over more than just the No. 1 overall pick could be in the offing Thursday night.
The Lions have the No. 10 selection and almost certainly would have to trade up for the 6-foot, 210-pound playmaker, who Stats Inc. says averaged 10.3 yards after the catch last season.
Watkins told The Post he would welcome the chance to play alongside All-Pro wideout Calvin Johnson and former Seahawks receiver Golden Tate, who signed with Detroit in the offseason.
“I would definitely be happy to go there,” Watkins said. “I wouldn’t have to be a superhero. I could play behind Calvin and Golden Tate and learn from those guys. It would definitely be a pleasure.
“They’ve got all the pieces to the puzzle right now. They’ve got a great defense and a great offense, and I really think all that they’re missing is that guy to help Calvin out.”
Watkins boasted the trio “would be the best wide-receiver group in the NFL.”
As well as meeting with Watkins twice, Detroit also appeared to signal its strong interest this week when Lions GM Martin Martin told reporters Watkins “would fit us.”
“He can make plays,” Mayhew added. “His track record speaks for itself, I think.”
The Jets are badly in need of a wide receiver, but have no chance of getting Watkins if they stay at their current first-round spot of No. 18 overall.
Nevertheless, Gang Green has not given up on landing Watkins, at least according to what Watkins said he was told by Jets coach Rex Ryan.
“He told me the Jets are trying to trade 10 years of [first-round] picks for me,” Watkins told The Post.
Watkins knows the Jets coach because Ryan’s son, Seth, was a teammate of Watkins’ at Clemson.
“Rex is a great dude,” Watkins said. “I would love to play for that guy.”
The Johnny Manziel rumor mill continued to churn furiously Tuesday, as Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer reported — despite the contention of ESPN — the Browns will pass on the polarizing Texas A&M quarterback at No. 4 overall.
“ESPN has been reporting the Browns will draft Manziel, [but] I’m here to tell you they will not,” Glazer said.
Vikings GM Rick Spielman also debunked reports he was talking with the Rams about a deal for Sam Bradford that would allow St. Louis to draft Manziel.
“I have not had any specific talks with Rams,” Spielman told ESPN late Tuesday afternoon.
Scouts say teams would like Missouri defensive end Kony Ealy to bulk up from his current 270 pounds to be able to play tackle, but it doesn’t sound as if Ealy will fall out of the first round.
Ealy said Tuesday he has interviewed two times each with the Falcons, Cowboys and Bears. Two predraft meetings indicate heavy interest, and though Ealy would be a big reach for Atlanta at No. 6, the odds of him falling past Chicago at No. 14 or Dallas at No. 16 would appear slim.
Scouts consider Ealy the third-best end prospect behind South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney and Stephon Truitt of Notre Dame.
Louisville safety Calvin Pryor, considered one of the top two at his position in the draft along with Alabama’s Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, recently spoke with the Jets and said the interview was extensive.
Safety is a perennial position of need for the Jets, and Pryor told The Post the team “really seemed interested” during the meeting.