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Is it possible the Detroit Lions are okay at tight end?

By Robert Jones

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 13: Edwin Jackson #53 of the Indianapolis Colts makes a tackle against Michael Roberts #80 of the Detroit Lions in the first half of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 13, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - AUGUST 13: Edwin Jackson #53 of the Indianapolis Colts makes a tackle against Michael Roberts #80 of the Detroit Lions in the first half of a preseason game at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 13, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 27: Tight end Luke Willson #82 of the Seattle Seahawks picks up 10 yards on a catch against linebacker Chris Borland #50 of the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter on November 27, 2014 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The Seahawks won 19-3. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – NOVEMBER 27: Tight end Luke Willson #82 of the Seattle Seahawks picks up 10 yards on a catch against linebacker Chris Borland #50 of the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter on November 27, 2014 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The Seahawks won 19-3. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images) /

This leaves the holdovers who never saw the field last year, Hakeem Valles and Marcus Lucas, as well as freshly signed free agent, Wes Saxton, and former Seahawk, Luke Willson.

Valles and Lucas have the most to prove and need to be catching Matt Patricia’s eye today. Saxton has just joined the team and despite his reputation as a receiving tight end, his career stats add up to an appearance in just one NFL game with no receptions.

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This means that the best of the rest is clearly Luke Willson. The Canadian kid who is such a hard worker that he spells his name with an extra ‘L’.

However, the truth of the matter is that Willson actually has a lot to offer and fans should like what he does.

The first nugget we should all bear in mind is that he entered the NFL as a receiving tight end. At his core he is a pass catcher. The fact that he backed up Zach Miller when he first entered the league had more to do with being young and learning how to play in the NFL than anything else.

Then the Seahawks acquired Jimmy Graham who was one of the big names at tight end and needless to say, there was a reason Willson didn’t unseat Graham as the starter.

But instead of sulking, Willson worked his tail off to become a good blocker and contribute as much as he could. Which he did as a blocker, but he still had some opportunities as a receiver and for the most part he did everything they asked of him in limited service.

He displayed reliable hands when called upon and even though his reception total has dropped over the last three years, he still has a career average of 12.7 yards a catch and six of his 30 receptions over the last two years resulted in touchdowns.

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