Brock Wright is making a push to be the No. 2 tight end for the Lions, and he looks to be cut from the same cloth as his head coach.
With seven receptions in his college career at Notre Dame, that Brock Wright was even in an NFL training camp a year ago was something. But he went ahead and earned a roster spot, and after Darren Fells asked for and was granted his release he became the Lions’ No. 2 tight end.
Wright started five games as a rookie, with 12 catches and two touchdowns. He entered this year’s training camp as a solid bet to make the 53-man roster, as the Lions sort out their depth chart among several options.
Wright caught his only target against the Atlanta Falcons in the preseason opener. But it was his blocking that got the most attention, and it’s something he has worked on.
Tight ends coach Tanner Engstrand elaborated, via MLive and Pride of Detroit respectively.
"He (Wright) has gotten significantly better at that,” Engstrand said. “He had five opportunities in the game (vs. the Falcons), three of which were really versus a good rush. He’s holding his own out there. He’s doing a really nice job.”"
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"If he can continue to get better in that area, I think he’s got the strength and the size to become a really good blocking tight end,” Engstrand said. “As we continue along and proceed through the preseason into some of these games and stuff. He’s getting better every day.”"
Brock Wright is cut from the Dan Campbell cloth
Lions head coach Dan Campbell played tight end for 10 NFL seasons (114 games) with three teams. He had 91 catches over that time (never more than 22 in any season), after catching 27 passes in college at Texas A&M. He lasted as long as he did in the NFL in a niche as a blocking tight end.
Campbell also talked about Wright. He said much more than this, saying Wright has made “big strides”, but this line sticks out.
"And so, I like him, man, when you — my vision for a wide tight end is him — that type of player that can mix it up and do the dirty work."
Campbell’s vision for someone like Wright looks a lot like what the Lions’ head coach was as a player–able to “mix it up”and “do the dirty work.” The second-year man may be taking hold of the spot immediately behind T.J. Hockenson on the depth chart.