Information sourced from: Jimmy Liao MD, Detroit Lions Podcast, CBS Sports
As time has gone on, I have assessed and re-assessed the Lions roster needs. I’m no expert, I come by that honestly. However, after much thought, I think we should talk about a particular position that may be shorthanded depending on injury status. Let’s dive in.
The Lions Tight End Conundrum
The Lions currently carry four tight ends in total. Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Tyler Conklin and Jackson Meeks. Their current statuses are as follows:
Sam LaPorta -
Sam LaPorta has been fully cleared after disc surgery in his back. This is a relief for sure, as the Lions offense did not look the same without him last year. However, there are a couple pressing questions. Though cleared, will he start immediately, or require additional conditioning to get going? Will he start on PUP? How long will it last? And will he last the whole season? There is a lot we don’t know. While things are trending in the right direction, I am still a bit… uneasy trusting him. I will need to see him in pads and on the field regularly to ease my worries.
Brock Wright -
Brock Wright is Brock Wright. He isn’t a stellar tight end, but he generally does what he is asked to do acceptably as a reserve tight end. However, last year he couldn’t play all games, and when he played he seemed off to me. Like he had taken a step back. While I certainly want him on the team, I would feel much better with him as TE3.
Tyler Conklin -
Tyler Conklin is kind of a question mark, as he was missing from OTAs. Jeff Risdon of Detroit Lions Podcast stated on a recent issue of the Daily DLP that Conklin was recovering from a jones fracture last year, and that likely had something to do with his absence from OTAs. The preceding quote has been removed as I was incorrect and in my reference. I loved the Conklin signing, but the idea of him recovering from an injury at his age (30) makes me a little more concerned than I would like. To be fair, we may have nothing to talk about if Conklin shows up to training camp, but only time will tell.
Jackson Meeks -
Word on the street is Jackson Meeks is converting to tight end. This will make him a small receiving tight end. This seems like an experiment to make room for him on the roster. I certainly like the thought of another tight end, but I don’t know if I see Meeks is the right fit there.
If Conklin can’t play, and LaPorta has issues, the Lions are in hot water.
So Who?
The tight end barrel is pretty dry at the Lions price point, but if you’re looking for a tight end similar to Conklin (older with the possibility of production, provides a veteran target and presence, can be had for a relatively small contract) I would point to Zach Ertz. He had a brief stint with the Lions a few years back. He is 35, so he’s not going to jump off the stat sheet, but he could slot in relatively easily. It’s not ideal, but he would fit that mold of what the Lions got with Conklin. If the Lions added him for camp, at very least, my worries about the position would be eased.
Camp is about to start....let's gooooo