Last season, tight ends were targeted 119 times within the Detroit Lions offense. This positional unit recorded 74 receptions for 797 yards and seven scores.
Yet, this offseason, the Lions released starter Eric Ebron after four years. The former first rounder could never quite live up to his draft status. His primary backup, veteran tight end Darren Fells, was lost to the Cleveland Browns via free agency.
That left the Lions with 2017 fourth rounder Michael Roberts topping their depth chart. Roberts recorded just four catches for 46 yards during his entire rookie season.