Detroit Lions: Five Players that are Tough Roster Choices

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Emil Igwenagu

This third year fullback became virtually expendable the moment Michael Burton was drafted in the 5th round of this year’s draft.  It isn’t because Igwenagu is a bad player, however, and he’s been fighting hard to make his case for a roster spot.  He got work with the first team in training camp and again against Washington, and has impressed some.

Why he’s earned a spot

He hasn’t really, but he has made a decent case.  Aside from working with first team, he’s shown himself to be a pretty good blocker in the limited action he’s seen.  Athletic and with some upside, Igwenagu’s size limits him to a Hback role.  If he made the roster, he’d be doing so over another tight end, not over Burton.

Why It’s Not So Simple

The Detroit Lions still really like both Brandon Pettigrew and Joseph Fauria, both of whom have shown why against Washington.  Pettigrew is back to being a good blocker, after a down 2014 in that area, while Fauria made a nifty catch on his only target in his first game back from injury.  Keeping Igwenagu would mean cutting one or the other and I don’t see how he’d be an upgrade over either.  Also, he’d have to make the team based on his ST play and frankly, he hasn’t looked great there.  On one bad return against Washington, Igwenagu completely ignored his assignment and bailed, leaving the returner to take a shot, where blocking may have gotten more yards.

Even more concerning for his chances is what you’d do with him if you kept him.  He won’t block on FB plays, that’s why Burton is there.  He won’t run routes from there either, since Burton is a better receiving option, too.  You could always use him as a move TE, but that role is reserved now for 2013 first round pick Eric Ebron, who is a far better option in that role.  Both Pettigrew and Fauria are better blockers inline, so what exactly would you do with Igwenagu if you kept him?  

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