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Lions Sign Replacement for 2 Disappointing Vets After Poor Preseason Debuts

ByCem Yolbulan|
Nov 17, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) runs with the ball in front of Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) during the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
Nov 17, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (84) runs with the ball in front of Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) during the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images | David Reginek-Imagn Images

The Detroit Lions are preparing for their second preseason game of the summer after kicking things off with a loss against the Chargers in the Hall of Fame game. Dan Campbell isn't expected to play starters, giving the backups and players on the roster bubble a chance to prove themselves. Even though the significant majority of the 53 roster spots are all but decided, there are a few position battles that will come down to individual performances in the remaining three preseason games.

On Thursday, one of those position battles just got more interesting. UFL reporter James Larsen said that the Lions were signing tight end Steven Stilianos, who spent last season with the San Antonio Brahmas. Stilianos has previously played college football at Iowa alongside Lions star Sam LaPorta.

What this move signifies is that the Lions can't be too happy with how the tight end competition is shaping up behind LaPorta and Brock Wright.

Lions Sign New Competition for Training Camp Battle After Poor Preseason Debuts

Assuming that the Lions will bring in three tight ends into the active roster like most teams, there is a competition between Shane Zylstra, Kenny Yeboah, and Zach Horton for the final spot. The reports out of camp suggested that Yeboah and Horton were closing in on Zylstra, who began the summer as the favorite to land the job thanks to being with the organization for the past three seasons.

While each tight end option brings a different strength, like Zylstra with receiving and Yeboah with blocking, the Lions don't seem to be satisfied with their training camp and preseason performance so far. Against the Chargers, Horton received the highest PFF grade with 63.9, while Zylstra was by far the worst with a 36.3 in 19 offensive snaps. Yeboah was good in the areas he was supposed to be good at, receiving 69.6 as a pass blocker and 71.4 as a run blocker, but didn't do much else.

The Stilianos signing by the Lions should be seen from this perspective. The Lions love trying to find diamonds in the rough, constantly giving a chance to UFL talent. They have already brought in Jacob Saylors, Nick Whiteside, and DJ Miller to camp this offseason with the hopes of them landing a spot on the roster or the practice squad.

Stilianos is the latest signing that the Lions hope will push for a roster spot among the underwhelming options at tight end.

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