NFL Draft 2018: Detroit Lions seven-round mock draft 2.0

Round 5

Just what the Lions’ plans were at tight end were put up for debate after the release of Eric Ebron. It was a puzzling decision at the time, and one that still puzzles many even though Ebron went on to sign for less than he would have received from the Lions on his fifth-year option.

Signing Luke Willson alleviates some of the immediate need but his deal is just for one year. Dave Birkett reported that the Lions had told the free agent tight ends they visited with that their plan was to sign one tight end and draft one. That will set off alarm bells with some Lions fans still upset over the drafting of Ebron and Brandon Pettigrew, but just because a team plans to use a draft pick on a particular position doesn’t necessarily mean they plan to do so with an early draft pick.

Assuming the Lions aren’t intent on using a high draft pick on a tight end, Wisconsin’s Troy Fumagalli is a potential target. Big Ten fans will remember him as a very productive part of an overall Wisconsin passing game that was often not very productive. He was also a big reason why Western Michigan wasn’t able to complete a perfect 2016 season against Wisconsin in the Cotton Bowl. When the Badgers needed a critical play it always seemed to be Fumagalli who broke the Broncos’ heart.

Fumagalli has good size but isn’t a great athlete and isn’t regarded as a great route runner despite his success as a receiving target. He’s also more about effort than achievement as a blocker, but route running and blocking are some of the things that can improve with coaching and time.

All prospects have flaws of some kind at this point in the draft but Fumagalli’s pass catching ability and competitive attitude are worth giving a shot.