One of the key position battles to watch for during the Detroit Lions’ preseason games is the tight end group. With Sam La Porta and Brock Wright locking down the top two spots on the 53-man roster, the most interesting competition is among the four remaining tight ends.
Detroit Lions Training Camp: Position Battle For the 3rd TE Spot
Rookies Zach Horton and Luke Deal are competing for that roster spot against Detroit’s 4-year veteran Shane Zylstra and former New York Jets’ TE Kenny Yeboah.
Shane Zylstra – Veteran Detroit Tight End
As the only Lions veteran, Shane Zylstra would appear to have an edge over the other three players. The 6’4” 244 lb. veteran was recently re-signed to a one-year contract extension. However, it all depends on what OC John Morton and tight ends coach Tyler Roehl envision with that third TE position. Are they looking for another pass-catching threat who can move the chains, or a versatile run-blocking specialist?
In the past, Zylstra hasn’t been used much in the passing game. He’s most effective as a key blocking tight end. Last year, he caught one pass for 22 yards. However, his most productive pass-catching season was in 2022, when he caught three touchdowns in one game for Detroit. That rare NFL accomplishment happened in Week 16 against the Carolina Panthers . Before that, Zylstra’s only other career touchdown occurred in Week 9 of that same year against the Green Bay Packers when he caught a one-yard pass.
Zylstra’s prior pass-catching athleticism suggests he is capable of more despite his sparse usage in the Lions’ offense. A graduate of Division II Minnesota State, he set records as the school’s leading receiver with 4,000 career receiving yards and 51 touchdowns. He had nine games with more than 100 receiving yards during his collegiate career, including an outstanding 220-yard, three-touchdown performance against rival Minnesota Duluth.
Following the 2021 NFL Draft, Zylstra signed with the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent. If the Lions are looking for familiarity with the team’s offense and proven veteran consistency, Zylstra could be the answer. Fun fact: In 2022, Zylstra’s older brother Brandon was with Detroit’s practice squad. If brotherly competition was the key to unlocking Zylstra’s most productive season, perhaps competing for this roster spot could bring him to a new level.
Kenny Yeboah – Veteran New York Jets Tight End
Brad Holmes acquired a 26-year-old 6’4” 249 lb. Kenny Yeboah from the New York Jets. The backup tight end began his NFL career in May 2021 as an undrafted free agent. New York waived him the following August but re-signed him to their practice squad the next day. Yeboah’s first Jets game was in October 2021, and he was elevated to the 53-man roster a month later.
Used primarily on special teams as a kickoff specialist, Yeboah didn’t have much opportunity to flash his skills as a pass catcher. In his first year, he recorded two receptions for 36 yards. After injuring his hamstring, Yeboah spent time on injured reserve. He recorded nine receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown in his four years in New York. However, most of those receptions came within the last two years.
In 2024, he had five receptions for 47 yards, including a two-yard touchdown catch. Posting more than 42% of his receiving yards in the past year suggests Yeboah was only beginning to develop his skills in this area.
If the Lions’ coaching staff is planning to use the 3rd TE spot for someone with strong special-teams skills, Yeboah offers versatility and is an experienced run blocker. The Lions prefer players who have strong blocking skills. One reason for the Lions’ scoring success is the requirement that offensive players are expected to get their hands dirty. If an offensive player isn’t the ball carrier, he should be out there, actively disrupting the defense and opening up a lane for his teammate.
Luke Deal – Lions Rookie Tight End
6’5” 252 lb. Luke Deal is one of two rookie tight ends vying for the 3rd TE position on the Lions roster. The Auburn product, originally from Greenwood, S.C., was named a team captain for the Tigers in his junior year. Playing primarily as a blocker in 2023, he recorded 17 receptions for 116 yards with two touchdowns and was a semi-finalist for the Jason Witten Man of the Year award. However, he did not have enough snaps for a PFF grade.
Signing with the Lions as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL draft, Deal brings run-blocking experience and a large physical presence to the offense.
Zach Horton – Lions Rookie Tight End
The second rookie competing for a spot on the 53-man roster is 23-year-old Indiana Hoosier Zach Horton. Like several of his competitors, Horton was used primarily for his blocking prowess. Graded 66.3 on PFF.com for his run-blocking abilities, Horton has made a strong showing in training camp, impressing his coaches with his ability to play the fullback role. In past seasons, the Lions used TE 3’s Jason Cabinda and Parker Hesse in the fullback position.
An energetic, high-motor player, Horton offers versatility with his ability to line up at multiple positions. Whether he’s deployed in-line, backfield, or slot, Horton can handle the assignment with confidence. Horton’s relatively slow 4.95 40-yard dash could be a weakness, but he compensates for it with his intensity and determination on the field.
The Lions’ Final Choice
At the end of the day, the competition for the final TE roster spot won’t necessarily go to the best pass catcher. The Lions are stacked with an arsenal of offensive weapons. Detroit’s offense is in good hands under Morton , who loves to change things up to keep the opposing defense guessing. “I’m all about making the defense uneasy. Maybe I might automatically get a defensive front coverage or blitz. I’m always looking to put our best players on the field at all times.”
Right now, Zylstra appears to have the edge. However, Horton and Yeboah are intriguing options. The ability to play on special teams could be the difference maker. Holmes has gone so far as to say that being able to contribute on special teams is “critically important.” If that philosophy holds, and it comes down to a final choice between two tight ends, bet on the player who is versatile enough to be an asset on special teams.
Main Photo: Junfu Han-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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