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For the second day in a row, a tight end took a pre-draft visit with the Detroit Lions. On Thursday, Alabama tight end Michael Williams was in town to visit with the Lions. On Friday, Michigan State's Dion Sims stopped by the Lions' facility in Allen Park for a pre-draft visit.
This isn't the first time Sims has met with the Lions. He was one of the players the Lions spoke with at the 2013 NFL Combine, meaning this is at least their second meeting with Sims.
Why are the Lions suddenly so interested in tight ends? They haven't re-signed Will Heller, and both Brandon Pettigrew and Tony Scheffler are set to become free agents after the 2013 season. For 2013, the Lions need to find a new third tight end, and for next year and beyond, they may need someone to replace Pettigrew and/or Scheffler.
Sims figures to be an option in something like the third or fourth round of the draft. If the Lions decide to take him, he would be a big body in the passing game and a solid blocker in the running game. Williams is a similar player in that regard, so the Lions seem to be after a specific type of tight end.