The Detroit Lions have been undergoing a lot of changes in recent years, and that includes their tight end depth. With a new coaching staff and a revamped roster, it can be tough to keep up with who's who on the team. In this article, we'll take a deep dive into the current state of the Lions' tight end depth chart and what we can expect from the players heading into the 2023 season.
The Top Dogs: Hockenson and Fells
It's no surprise that T.J. Hockenson is at the top of the Lions' tight end depth chart. The former first-round pick has been a key part of the team's offense since he was drafted in 2019. Hockenson is a versatile player who can line up in a variety of positions and is equally effective as a blocker and a pass-catcher. He's coming off a career year in 2022, where he caught 85 passes for 1,067 yards and 9 touchdowns.
Behind Hockenson, the Lions have Darren Fells, a veteran tight end who was signed as a free agent in the offseason. Fells is a reliable pass-catcher who has spent time with several NFL teams, including the Texans, Cardinals, and Browns. He's not as dynamic as Hockenson, but he's a valuable player who can provide depth and experience to the Lions' tight end room.
The Young Guns: Brock Wright and Hunter Bryant
After Hockenson and Fells, the Lions' tight end depth chart gets a bit murkier. Brock Wright is a 24-year-old tight end who was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame in 2022. He didn't see much playing time in his rookie year, but he has the potential to develop into a solid player if given the opportunity.
Hunter Bryant is another young tight end who could make an impact for the Lions this season. Bryant was a standout at the University of Washington and signed with the Lions as an undrafted free agent in 2020. He missed the entire 2022 season due to injury, but he's healthy now and could be a sleeper pick to make the team's roster.
The Long Shots: Alize Mack and Jake Hausmann
Finally, we have Alize Mack and Jake Hausmann, two tight ends who are facing an uphill battle to make the Lions' roster in 2023. Mack was signed as a free agent in the offseason after spending time with the Saints and Chiefs, but he's yet to make a significant impact in the NFL. Hausmann, on the other hand, was a seventh-round pick in the 2023 draft and will need to prove himself in training camp if he hopes to stick around.
Conclusion
Overall, the Lions' tight end depth chart is solid at the top with Hockenson and Fells leading the way. Behind them, there's a lot of uncertainty with a group of young and unproven players vying for playing time. It will be interesting to see how the depth chart shakes out during training camp and the preseason, but one thing is for sure: the Lions' tight end position is in good hands with Hockenson leading the way.
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