Detroit Lions: Post 2019 NFL Draft 53-man roster predictions
Tight End:
Players In Camp- Jerome Cunningham, T.J. Hockenson, Jesse James, Isaac Nauta, Michael Roberts, Logan Thomas, Nate Becker, Donald Parham
This is another position that has a number of players competing for about half of their number of roster spots. And again, you can narrow down the list even further once you count in James and Hockenson as locks to make the roster. That leaves just a couple of spots open for around six players.
Cunningham is a solid blocking tight end, but doesn’t offer much in the way of receiving so he is a long shot to make the roster. Thomas is a guy that the Lions have shown interest in before but has yet to deliver any results on the field. Becker was signed as an undrafted free agent but had limited production in college and should be another guy considered to be a long shot to make the team.
After discounting those three guys, that leaves Nauta, Parham, and former fourth round pick Roberts to contend for the last two spots. Nauta brings untapped potential and versatility to the position as he can play as an H-back of sorts lining up as a fullback or as a tight end depending on the play and he can provide quality special teams play as well. Quinn said that Nauta was “far and away the best player left on their board” and this seems to hint they liked him fairly well.
Parham has amazing athletic attributes and could be a move tight end for the team and has people wondering if he wouldn’t be better suited as a full time receiver. Roberts may find himself on the outs with a team that he has barely produced for and seems to not give his all when on the field. That combination could leave to him being cut from the team.
However, the team will probably want more than one veteran tight end on the team so he could just barely slip onto the team, with his roster spot on thin ice.