Detroit Lions Draft 2017: A Tight End for Every Round
By Ash Thompson
It has been widely reported that the Lions feel they need to address the Tight End position in the draft. Luckily the position has a plethora of options in 2017.
Last year one of the major failings of the Detroit Lions offense was blocking from their Tight End spot. The team seemed to be holding out hope that former first round pick Brandon Pettigrew was going to return to form. Unfortunately even once he was medically cleared the team decided to move on without a good substitute.
Rookie Cole Wick showed potential in the preseason, becoming the 2016 undrafted darling Lions fans adopted as a future superstar. Unfortunately when he was pressed in to game action during the regular season, it was clear that Wick still needed a bit of work before he was going to be ready.
The team added Packers reject Andrew Quarless, and their own preseason cut Mathew Mulligan mid-season. However, a capable number two tight end was never found. The Lions had to resort to bringing in a backup offensive tackle for running plays, or put Eric Ebron in a position that set him up to fail. The debate among Lions fans on Detroit sports radio is an intense one, but everyone can agree that he is not a good blocker.
There is hope for Lions fans this season however. Bob Quinn signed Darren Fells to a one year deal to hold the fort. That gives the Lions the flexibility to let the draft come to them at the Tight End Position. They need a traditional “Y” tight end to line up beside an offensive tackle. He needs to have the ability to block, and the versatility to help move the chains on third down.
College football has not been producing that kind of player recently. The proliferation of the spread offense has changed what a tight end does in the college game. But there are options for the Lions in the draft.