The next installment in our training camp preview series looks at the Lions’ tight ends room.
In this installment of our Detroit Lions 2025 training camp preview, we examine the Lions’ tight ends room, speculate on current and future roles, and discuss how many players from this group could make the 53-man roster.
Previous training camp previews:
- QB: Can Hendon Hooker stick at QB2?
- RB: Will there be any changes to the room?
- WR: Loaded with depth options and youth
Setting the table
The Lions entered 2024 training camp with Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright locking down the Lions’ top two tight ends spots and a battle for their TE3 role. Tight end/H-back Parker Hesse eventually won the job, beating out Shane Zylstra and James Mitchell, who both ended up signing to the practice squad.
The Lions rely heavily on their top two tight ends, and in 2024, they ran 12 personnel (two tight end sets) 32.2% of the time, the third-highest rate in the NFL. Their TE3 role is used less frequently (the Lions deployed 13 personnel 3.49% of the time, ninth most), but Detroit asks a lot of this player. Not only does TE3 have to assume tight end responsibilities, but they are also required to play fullback/H-back, and start on special teams.
Last season, Hesse averaged just under 10 offensive snaps over the first six games, but was a healthy scratch in Weeks 7 through 9. Zylstra, who had expanded his game to include H-back responsibilities, was elevated from the practice squad for the TE3 role during those three games. By Week 10, the Lions released Hesse and signed Zylstra, who also averaged just under 10 offensive snaps for the remainder of the season.
The Lions entered the 2025 offseason with LaPorta and Wright still under contract, and once again, their TE3 role was up for grabs. To compete for the job, the Lions re-signed Zylstra , signed Kenny Yeboah to a one-year deal in free agency, and signed rookies Zach Horton and Caden Prieskorn to UDFA contracts . Prieskorn was released following rookie minicamp, and rookie UDFA Luke Deal was signed after a tryout . Former Lions draft pick/practice squader James Mitchell signed with the Panthers .
Roster construction
Under the Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell regime, the Lions have been inconsistent with the number of tight ends on the active roster, initially using a fullback early in their tenures but opting for TE/H-backs in recent seasons.
Let’s take a look at what they’ve done in the previous four seasons:
- 2021: Mainly deployed just two tight ends and a fullback (Jason Cabinda) on the active roster, along with another two on the practice squad.
- 2022: Opened with four tight ends on the roster before reducing to three and re-adding a fullback (Cabinda returned from IR) mid-season.
- 2023: Opened the season with three tight ends and a fullback, but when Cabinda landed on IR, the Lions only replaced him with a fourth tight end for a few games before returning to just three for the majority of the season—leaning on a variety of players to play an H-back role.
- 2024: Opted for three tight ends and asked TE3 to take on an H-back role. The roster spot previously dedicated to fullback was repurposed.
The battleground
Entering 2025 training camp, the Lions are set with their top two tight ends; however, the remaining depth roles could end up going in a variety of different directions.
Will the Lions keep a TE4?
There is precedent to suggest that the Lions would consider keeping four tight ends, but with a deep roster and the elimination of the fullback position, it appears that they would prefer to keep just three tight ends and expand their roles.
Who has an inside track for the TE3 role?
Let’s take a quick look at the four candidates for the role.
- Shane Zylstra: The TE3 incumbent should have an upper hand on the rest of his competition, considering he’s entering his fifth season in Detroit, but he’ll have to show that he’s continued to expand his game to re-secure his job.
- Kenny Yeboah: A four-year NFL veteran, Yeboah spent the previous four seasons with the Jets, playing in 33 games and making two starts. He’s primarily a blocking tight end with starter-level special teams skills, but he’ll need to show he can line up in the backfield in training camp if he wants to knock off Zylstra.
- Zach Horton: A natural H-back, Horton has experience lining up all over the field, including inline, in the backfield, split out, and in bunch sets. He’s a tough and technique-sound run blocker who can get out into his routes quickly, but he’ll need to improve his pass protection and route running at the NFL level. His $100,000 in contractual guarantees suggest the Lions have a plan for him, even if he doesn’t win the TE3 job.
- Luke Deal: After impressing during his tryout at rookie minicamp, Deal will need to show that he can be more than just a solid blocking tight end. He’ll enter camp at the bottom of the depth chart, but he’ll get as much of a chance as the other three competitors to prove that he belongs.