Lions Tight Ends situation ( 2023 season )

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Lions barely threw to TEs aligned in the slot in 2022

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This new thread is a continuation of the following thread

Lions Tight Ends situation ( 2022 season )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1474/lions-tight-ends-situation-season


This new thread relates to the following thread:

Round 2a: TE Sam LaPorta (Iowa) : Pick # 34 ( 2023 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1780/round-laporta-iowa-pick-2023

With the Lions using Pick # 34 near the top of Round 2 on Sam LaPorta, the team brass clearly sees LaPorta as having differential skills in the passing game. I'm anticipating the Lions using plenty of 2 TE formations this season, with LaPorta in the slot in much of these times.

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Lions training camp preview: Sam LaPorta adds slippery ability at tight end

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With Jameson Williams being suspended by the NFL for the first 6 regular season games, the Lions very likely won't keep more than 6 WRs on the 53 man roster during that time frame. It's far from a given that the Lions would keep as many as 6 WRs on the 53 man roster, while Williams is serving the suspension.

Other than Sam LaPorta, who's a lock to be on the Lions 53 man roster, barring a major injury or something not football playing related, there's uncertainty regarding which TEs will be on the opening day roster. James Mitchell's health situation is a question mark at present.

[D6]

Detroit Lions Training Camp Battles: Tight Ends

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James Mitchell was drafted by the Lions in the 5th Round of the 2022 Draft.

Sam Laporta is on a path to be more productive and effective as a receiver than most rookie TEs, including draft picks in the top 2 Rounds.

At this time, the question marks with Laporta are regarding his run blocking and pass blocking? How Laporta handles In-Line Blocking, both run and pass blocking, with likely determine whether the Lions can use him as a Y TE with '21' personnel?

Barring a significant injury, I think Sam Laporta, James Mithcell, and Brock Wright will be on the Lions opening day 53-man roster. Shane Zylstra is an NFL regular season roster caliber player. But he could easily be caught in a numbers game with the Lions. Special Teams will likely be critical for Zylstra in order to land a spot on the Lions opening day roster.