Detroit Lions, NFC North Position Rankings: Tight Ends

2. Detroit Lions

Last season, the Detroit Lions lost Brandon Pettigrew as their backup tight end and it messed with the position way too much. This offseason, they attempted to address that need and make sure they were prepped for anything.

The main piece at this position is Eric Ebron. Ebron is a victim to the players drafted after him. And because of that, every mistake is looked at under a microscope. In reality, he’s a great pass catcher and a solid blocker for a pass-first tight end.

Last season, the team slightly hindered his production with the addition of Anquan Boldin. But this year we should see Ebron do what we have always expected.

As for the depth from last season, the Lions still have Khari Lee and Cole Wick. Unfortunately for them, I doubt either of them makes it to the final 53-man roster. Still, I expect Wick to rejoin the team on the practice squad.

And the players that will take those roster spots from them are veteran Darren Fells and rookie Michael Roberts.

Fells may not have had many passes thrown his way while he was with the Arizona Cardinals, but he did gain attention as a great blocker. Still, in a Lions offense that loves throwing the ball, he could end up becoming a great red zone target for Matthew Stafford.

But if Fells falls short of that red zone prediction, the Lions do have another option in rookie Michael Roberts. Roberts was a red zone monster in college, racking up 16 touchdowns last season. But honestly, I think the size of his hands might be more impressive.

If Ebron can live up to the hype around him, along with Fells and/or Roberts giving decent production, the Lions should top tight end production.