A closer look at the Lions depth chart leaves serious concerns at the tight end position beyond Jesse James."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Detroit Lions NewsDetroit Lions NotesDetroit Lions AnalysisDetroit Lions TransactionsDetroit Lions Game RecapsDetroit Lions RosterDetroit Lions AnalysisNext Man Up: Is Jesse James a one-man show at tight end?New Womens Marvin Jones Jr Jersey ,33commentsA closer look at the Lions depth chart leaves serious concerns at the tight end position beyond Jesse James.EDTShareTweetShareShareNext Man Up: Is Jesse James a one-man show at tight end?Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY SportsOne of the Detroit Lions’ biggest splash signings of this offseason was tight end Jesse James. As it stands now, James is set to take over the role of TE1 due to his ability, experience, and paycheck. James’ previous production has shown that he has the ability to be an average to below average starting tight end, more so a “1B” on the depth chart if you will. Nonetheless, James’ signing was necessary if the Lions wanted to go into the 2019 NFL Draft without tight end being a glaring need. If James were to go down though, then let’s just say the Lions would have to consider making some significant moves. Next Man Up: Michael RobertsThe Lions drafted Michael Roberts in the fourth round of the 2017 draft based on his extreme efficiency in the red zone while at the University of Toledo with the hope that he would blossom into just as good of a tight end between the 20s. That experiment hasn’t panned out, however. Roberts has had problems with drops and fumbles to add to his unrefined route-running ability, keeping him sidelined in favor of sub-par journeyman like Darren Fells and Levine Toilolo. Last offseason there was even talk of Roberts not making the team in his second season due to the emergence of Hakeem Valles, and Roberts’ continued his struggles into the 2018 season. In two full seasons with the Lions, Roberts has 13 receptions for 146 yards and three touchdowns to show for. For reference, Kenny Golladay Womens Miles Killebrew Jersey , who the Lions picked just a round before Roberts, had seven catches for 146 yards in Week 15 of last season alone. Aside from Roberts, the only other tight end on the Lions roster is former quarterback-turned-tight-end Logan Thomas and Jerome Cunningham. Thomas, the 6-foot-7 Virginia Tech product, was on the Lions practice squad for two days in 2016. Thomas was only active for two regular season games in his first three seasons, both in his rookie year with Arizona, and has since played in 25 games over the last two seasons with the Buffalo Bills. For what it’s worth, Thomas has been just as productive as Roberts over that time, posting 19 catches for 144 yards and one touchdown.Grade: FIf the Lions were to lose Jesse James for any reason, they might as well just stop using tight ends in the offense. Relying on either of their (lack of) depth to take over the role of starting tight end is worrisome to say the least. The Lions were fortunate to land James in Detroit with a free agent class full of average to below average tight ends, and signing James the Lions eliminated the need to draft a tight end in the first day or two of the draft. It seems clear, however Womens Devon Kennard Jersey , that they will inevitably grab another tight end to complement James or at least be a competent backup. Some names to watch on draft weekend include Dawson Knox, Jace Sternberger, Kahale Warring, and Foster Moreau. Could the Lions go from worst to first?" NFC NorthDetroit Lions Opinion2019 NFL preview: Ranking the NFC North tight endsNew,15commentsCould the Lions go from worst to first? EDTThe importance of tight ends varies from team to team. Some will use two tight ends early and often. Others will barely utilize them at all. Some of that has to do with overall scheme, but a lot has to do with the scarcity of tight end talent. Given the right talent, a good tight end group could present one of the bigger mismatches in the game. So let’s take a look at which of the NFC North teams has the best opportunity to create these mismatches. Here are my rankings for the top tight end corps in the division.Previously:Ranking the NFC North quarterbacksRanking the NFC North running backsRanking the NFC North wide receivers1. Detroit Lions (T.J. Hockenson, Jesse James, Logan Thomas, Isaac Nauta)The Detroit Lions have a serious chance of going worst to first in this category. Last year, I rightfully ranked them last and they absolutely lived up to that billing. This year, they literally gotten rid of everyone. Detroit went out and got themselves the best tight end available in free agency in Jesse James. And while he hasn’t exactly had an illustrious career Kerryon Johnson Jersey , anytime the Steelers relied upon him, he seemed to answer the call. James actually finished with a higher overall PFF grade than Minnesota’s Kyle Rudolph (65.7 vs. 64.0) in 2018, thanks—in part—to his balanced game between receiving and both pass and run blocking.Of course, the Lions also spent their eighth overall pick in the draft on T.J. Hockenson. While he’s still obviously unproven at this point, expectations are sky high. Even Logan Thomas is experienced depth at this position. It’s abundantly clear the Lions are better at the tight end position, and I think they’ve skyrocketed to the top of the division.2. Chicago Bears (Trey Burton, Adam Shaheen, Dax Raymond, Ben Braunecker) Trey Burton is in the conversation for a top-10 tight end in the league. Last year, he was the league’s best run-blocking tight end, according to PFF, and he pulled in an impressive 54 catches for 569 yards and six touchdowns Womens A'Shawn Robinson Jersey , as well. All of those stats place him in the top 15 in the league. Adam Shaheen is a player that has all the of the tools to be the perfect complement to Burton, but he has just been plagued with injuries in his first two years. The 2017 second-round pick has played in just 19 games thus far and has only caught 17 passes. There’s still plenty of time for the 24-year-old to reclaim his NFL career, but I’m not banking on it right away. 3. Minnesota Vikings (Kyle Rudolph, Irv Smith Jr., David Morgan, Tyler Conklin) The Vikings have the best (see: most proven) tight end in the division in Kyle Rudolph. In the past four years, Rudolph ranks eighth among tight ends in receiving yards and third in touchdowns. He’s also been traditionally a pretty solid pass blocker, though he’s coming off a rough year. Behind Rudolph is 2019 second-round pick Irv Smith Jr., who is not exactly a favorite of our own Kent Lee Platte:With Rudolph nearing the twilight of his career and not much else behind him, the Vikings just seem okay at this position. Rudolph is great, but if you rely on just one person, you’re asking for trouble.4. Green Bay Packers (Jimmy Graham http://www.lionslock...y-zettel-jersey , Marcedes Lewis, Jace Sternberger, Robert Tonyan) If this was 2013, the Packers would have the best crew in the division. However, Jimmy Graham and Marcedes Lewis, with their combined age of 67, are well past their prime. Graham is still capable of making a big catch or two—his 11.6 yards per catch in 2018 is right there with his career average (12.2). But the burst and speed that made him such a unique draft prospect are no longer at their peak. Lewis remains a good run blocker, but not much else. 2019 third-round pick Jace Sternberger provides a little bit of optimism for this unit’s future, but for now, the Packers are a distant fourth in the division at tight end.
Welcome to GTR Culture Forums
|
|
Guest Message by DevFuse |
Page 1 of 1
the league’s best run-blocking tight end, according to PFF,
Share this topic:
Page 1 of 1