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Where the Roster Stands: Fullback

Previously: Quarterback, Running Back

Returning from last season: Jerome Felton

New to the team: Nobody

Jerome Felton is the lone fullback on the team right now.  Both he and Terrelle Smith made the 53-man roster last year, but Smith was waived in December with a few weeks left in the season.  So far this offseason no moves have been made to add a fullback to the team, but that may not be the case come this time next week (see the need section).

As for Felton, he will be entering his third season in the NFL in 2010 and obviously is penciled in as the starting fullback right now.  He has shown that he can be a pretty good runner in the past, and he isn't a bad option to throw the ball to either.  Felton was a common name on the injury report for much of 2009, but when healthy he is a very good and versatile.

Need going forward?

I would be surprised if the Lions go into training camp with only one fullback on the roster, and I personally think there is a very good chance we see a fullback drafted next week.  The Lions have shown great interest in Kentucky's John Connor, who most believe is the top fullback in this year's draft.  I don't believe he will be around in the seventh-round and don't expect the Lions to use a high fourth-rounder on him, but perhaps if the Lions make a trade that includes a fifth- or sixth-rounder, they could select the Terminator.  Even if they don't get a shot at Connor, the Lions do have three seventh-round picks to use, so that could be when the Lions opt to look for another fullback.

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