Where the Lions roster stands: Fullback

As we start to look ahead to training camp, we're going to take a position-by-position look at the Detroit Lions roster. Next up is the fullback position. (The final year of each player's contract is listed in parentheses.)

Back from last season: None

New to the team: Jed Collins (2014), Chad Abram (2016)

After disappearing for a few years, the fullback position has returned to Detroit. This is thanks to the new offense that is in place. New offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi's scheme, which is based primarily on the setup in New Orleans, includes a role for a fullback, and the Lions actually brought in former Saint Jed Collins to fill the top spot on their depth chart.

The Lions also have Chad Abram, who went undrafted after playing at Florida State in college. It seems unlikely that Abram will beat out Collins at fullback, but he could manage to make the team anyway primarily as a special teams player based on how good he was in that role at FSU. At the very least, Abram seems to have a good chance of sticking around as a member of the practice squad as a rookie.

Need going forward?

With a veteran in place in Collins and a young guy to develop in Abram, the Lions seem set at fullback. This is a position that usually only has one spot available on the 53-man roster anyway, so they appear to be good to go.

Previously: Quarterback, running back