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Detroit Lions: Tight ends must prove themselves in 2018

By Steven Mullenax

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 15: Tight end Luke Willson #82 of the Seattle Seahawks scores a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams at CenturyLink Field on December 15, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 15: Tight end Luke Willson #82 of the Seattle Seahawks scores a touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams at CenturyLink Field on December 15, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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After parting ways with Eric Ebron, the Detroit Lions need a new starting tight end to step up. And they have a roster full of hungry candidates.

Although much of the Detroit Lions attention on offense this offseason has been spent on improving their struggling running game, the Motor City also lost their top two tight ends this year as well. Longtime draft bust Eric Ebron was finally released after four inconsistent seasons. And Darren Fells found a new home in Cleveland via free agency.

With 2017 fourth-round pick Michael Roberts barely making a blip on the radar last season, Detroit turned to free agency themselves to address their tight end needs. The Lions inked both Luke Willson and Levine Toilolo to one-year deals back in March.

And combined with Roberts, Willson and Toilolo appear to be the depth chart the Lions will go into the 2018 regular season with. And all three have much to prove this upcoming season.

"“You know, a lot of us have a chip on our shoulder and it makes the room competitive,” Willson told the team’s official website. “Guys are really pushing each other to be better and making each other better. Everyone is competing, so it makes for a great vibe that way.”"

Currently, Roberts is the favorite to win the starting role in this pass heavy offense. Despite only recording four catches last season, the second-year player seems to be in-line to become the Lions’ primary receiving tight end.

During his senior season at Toledo, Roberts posted an incredible stat line of 45 receptions for
533 yards and16 touchdowns. And according to early reports, the 24-year old has been tearing it up during recent OTA sessions.

Prior to joining the Lions, both Willson and Toilolo were considered better blocking tight ends than receivers. And that’s sure to come in handy as Detroit looks to revive it’s lifeless rushing attack.

But Willson did record 89 catches for 1,129 yards and 11 scores during his five-year career with the Seattle Seahawks. While Toilolo posted 74 receptions for 723 yards and seven touchdowns during his five-year run with the Atlanta Falcons. So both have shown that they can be adequate receivers when needed.

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At the end of the day, this entire Detroit Lions tight end unit has much to prove in 2018. But it appears they are all up to the task and will spend time building some much needed chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford this offseason. Let’s hope it’s enough for this group to be effective when real football begins.

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