Detroit Lions: For some, roster bubble is about to pop

Tight End

Eric Ebron, Darren Fells, and Michael Roberts will make the final roster. Ebron is the Lions premier receiving tight end, and the team will be counting on him to play an expanded role in the passing game for the 2017 season. Fells was brought in to take the blocking load off of Ebron’s shoulders. This will allow Ebron to perform duties more suited to his skill set.

Michael Roberts was drafted to fill in for either of those two in the event of an injury. His chemistry with Jake Rudock has been quite apparent. The Lions would surely hope that he can develop the same chemistry that a similar player has previously with Mathew Stafford. Roberts is a likely candidate to see red zone action for the Detroit Lions. He is a massive man with giant hands, the type of player that can bring in a bullet shot from Stafford’s cannon.

On the Detroit Lions roster bubble at the tight end position are Robert Tonyan and Cole Wick. Tonyan is a player just taking his first steps at the tight end spot, but the reviews from beat writers watching him in practice mimicking Eric Ebron’s role are universally positive. Cole Wick is a more traditional tight end. He can line up in either role, but it is in line, working as a part of the running game, and on playaction where he has flashed ability. Tonyan has been silent in preseason games, and would likely clear waivers unless the Colts were particularly impressed in joint practices.

Running Back

Ameer Abdullah, and Theo Riddick are the only players I would say have locked up roster spots for the Lions at this point. Abdullah is the team’s only hope for a decent running game. His ability at the position exceeds his fellow Lions by a great amount. Riddick is the team’s primary passing situation back, and has improved as a runner each season of his career. He was still a poor runner in 2016, but he has made strides each season toward being a credible threat as a runner.

On the Detroit Lions roster bubble at running back are Zach Zenner, Dwayne Washington, and Matt Asiata. Zach Zenner has been the personification of hard work and hustle for the Lions. It is very easy to cheer for him. He has the look of a player giving everything he has on every down. The question is whether what he has can ever be enough. Zenner lacks any elite traits, and has shown difficulty blocking in both the passing and running game this preseason.

Dwayne Washington has the athletic traits Zenner lacks, but has had difficulty identifying holes. He is going to go where the play is called every time. If the blocking is there, that is a good thing. If the blocking is not there, he runs in to the back of blockers, rarely making obvious cutbacks. He is capable in the running and passing game, but on completely different calls than the Lions top two backs.

Matt Asiata is not a good running back. He is slow, lacks vision, and doesn’t run with the power you would like from someone without those other traits. With all that said he still has a chance to make the team. on every punt Asiata is on the field for, he is in the frame when the tackle is made. he is a very good, very disciplined special teams player. Bob Quinn has shown that to be something he values. Between Thursday night and Saturday we will see just how much.