The Detroit Lions tight end situation? As advertised.

Early OTA’s are taking place as coaches get a chance to see their shiny new toys in action, specifically the Detroit Lions new collection of tight ends.

The Detroit Lions selected tight end T.J. Hockenson with the eighth overall pick in this year’s NFL draft. It was a hot topic and will be highly debated for the next few years as the 2019 draft class matures and plays for a few seasons in the league. Was Hockenson a good pick?

We won’t know the answer to that question for roughly three years. But after the start of OTA’s this summer, coaches are getting a taste of their new offensive weapon. It also goes beyond Hockenson to the entire group of new tight ends in Detroit. And there are two words to describe that group so far: As advertised.

Fans won’t soon forget the Lions signed a couple of free agents at the position before the draft. Jesse James came over from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Logan Thomas from the Buffalo Bills. On paper, these two signings made a huge improvement over last year’s squad.

Then the draft happened. Hockenson and Isaac Nauta were selected to the team. Incumbent Michael Roberts instantly appears to be the odd man out in this group with only 146 receiving yards in two seasons.

Turning to those tight ends that are able to participate in OTAs, word is that they are showing every bit of the talent expected of them. Their success is raising the talent level of the skill position players and the entire offense.

Tim Twentyman noted on the team’s official website that James, Hockenson and Thomas have all made plays down the field either along the sideline or down the seam during OTAs. That pretty much sums up what wasn’t happening from the Detroit Lions tight ends last season. It was obviously a big focus for Lions general manager Bob Quinn as he’s added four new players to overhaul the position.

The leading man in that overhaul is T.J. Hockenson. He wasn’t drafted in the top ten picks to be on the sidelines. Sure, there will be two tight end sets as this offense continues to find its way. If you aren’t sold on him yet, I’ll leave you with a few words about him from Detroit Lions assistant coach Chris White via Mike O’Hara on the DetroitLions.com:

"“The thing I’ve been impressed with is, he has a knack of kind of separating. He has a way of getting open. He’s kind of savvy–that type of football player. Things you can’t really teach.”"

What do you think about the Detroit Lions tight end position? Has the team done enough to make it a focal point of their offense in 2019. Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.