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As part of our season wrap-up series, we are going to examine how each player on the roster performed in 2013. Next, let's take a look at the Detroit Lions' tight ends.
Brandon Pettigrew - 14 games (14 starts) | 41 catches, 416 yards, 2 TD | 1 lost fumble
Coming into 2013, Pettigrew was best known for his drops and fumbles. However, he really turned things around last season. He was by no means one of the best tight ends in the NFL from a statistical standpoint, but he became a pretty reliable target for Matthew Stafford. Drops and fumbles became a rarity, and Pettigrew continued to do a decent job as a blocker. With him headed for free agency this year, it will be interesting to see if the Lions decide to re-sign him or let him walk.
Joseph Fauria - 16 games (2 starts) | 18 catches, 207 yards, 7 TD | 0 lost fumbles
Fauria somehow wasn't drafted, but the Lions landed him as an undrafted free agent. His size made him an intriguing player, and he earned a spot on the 53-man roster after a strong preseason. He quickly made an impact with a touchdown in the Lions' season opener, and he actually ended up finding the end zone on 7 of his 18 catches as a rookie. Fauria was a big-time threat in the red zone, and his penchant for dancing after touchdowns earned him national attention. He should become even more involved in the Lions offense going forward.
Dorin Dickerson - 5 games (0 starts) | 2 catches, 34 yards, 0 TD | 0 lost fumbles
Dickerson spent all of five days on the roster in October while Tony Scheffler was recovering from a concussion. Scheffler was actually released shortly after, and the Lions moved forward with only two tight ends on their roster until Dickerson was brought back in November. Dickerson's 2013 season will probably be best remembered for him hiding the fact that he was concussed from team doctors until after he had a drop and a penalty in overtime against the New York Giants in Week 16.
Matt Veldman - 1 game (0 starts)
Veldman was with the Lions last summer and joined their practice squad late in the season. He was promoted to the active roster a short time later because of injuries, and he got a chance to play in the Lions' season finale.
Michael Williams - 0 games (0 starts)
A seventh-round pick out of Alabama, Williams seemed destined to be the Lions' third tight end in 2013. However, he was placed on injured reserve after breaking his hand in the preseason, meaning his regular-season debut will have to wait until 2014.
Previously: Quarterback, running back, wide receiver
