Detroit Lions: 4 positions to watch against the Cleveland Browns

WIDE RECEIVER

The top four is locked, as it has been even before training camp, with wide receivers Golden Tate, Marvin Jones, Kenny Golladay, and T.J. Jones. It is one of the most solid positions on the team, and it should be fun to watch.

The Detroit Lions have a clear dilemma at the fifth position with wide receiver Brandon Powell, who is a rookie free agent out of Florida. There is a risk in trying to sign Powell to the practice squad because he might get signed by another team. Brandon has made some nice plays this preseason, including a punt return for a touchdown against Tampa Bay.

Powell’s return ability along with his speed really makes Ameer Abdullah unnecessary for the Detroit Lions. At this point, there is more upside with Powell because of his potential. With Abdullah, his ceiling has been established and he has lost his starting job in just one year.

Holding on to Ameer for fear of him doing well elsewhere is not a good way to run a team. It hasn’t worked in Detroit. It is time for someone new.

TIGHT END

It was pretty upsetting to see tight end Michael Roberts playing into the fourth quarter against Tampa Bay last week. As a fourth round pick in 2017, the hope was that Roberts would take a big leap in his second year.

Tight ends Luke Willson and Levine Toilolo seem poised to make the roster because they are veterans. The player set to take Roberts job is tight end Hakeem Valles, who has played the best of the tight ends this preseason.

It is hard to imagine the Detroit Lions keeping more than three tight ends because there isn’t enough talent to justify four. This means either Valles or Roberts is gone. Valles working with the first string offense clearly gives him the edge.

If Roberts is cut, it does not reflect well on general manager Bob Quinn. But this could be a tough decision that is better for the team in the long term.