Injuries Put Dan Gronkowski at Center Stage in Detroit Lions' Training Camp

When Dan Gronkowski was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 255th pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, I just shook my head.

Still reeling at the questionable moves made to that point (passing on Rey Maualuga, twice, not drafting an offensive lineman until the seventh round, not addressing the middle linebacker position at all, drafting two offensive players in the first round), I could only chuckle as the next-to-last player selected became Detroit’s second tight end selection of the draft.

Since Draft Day, some of those concerns have been answered. Rey Maualuga looks to have potentially been a problem child, and the Lions acquired Larry Foote to fill the middle while a younger player is groomed for it.

But two tight ends? When Brandon Pettigrew is supposed to be the all-purpose, all-around, “complete” tight end? And Casey Fitzsimmons and Will Heller are already on the roster? Absurd.

Or not.

Though they don’t appear to be serious, Pettigrew and Fitzsimmons are out with injuries, putting Gronkowski in the spotlight with the first-team offense (whoever that is) on two-minute drills and goal-line situations.

Given the opportunity, Gronkowski has made his presence felt, reeling in a one-handed touchdown catch in practice and executing fairly well in drills.

He has also made a few catches in drills that would have been touchdowns, but he has had a difficult time getting both feet down inbounds.

Gronkowski was primarily known as a blocking tight end at Maryland, but much of that had to do with Maryland’s passing scheme, which tended to not use tight ends as receivers.

In his senior season, however, Maryland changed their scheme, and Gronkowski caught 29 passes—three for touchdowns.

So far in training camp, Gronkowski has shown to be an apt route-runner, though he won’t set any receiving records with his average speed and hands.

Still, strong play from Gronkowski and injuries in camp mean some question marks on the depth chart. Pettigrew is almost indisputably the starter, but behind him, Heller, Fitzsimmons and Gronkowski are in a logjam.

Heller has established history (and favor, it seems) with offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, and Fitzsimmons is the lone holdover from last year.

The odds are against Gronkowski even making the team, and if he does, that means either Heller or Fitzsimmons is out. My money’s on Fitzsimmons.

Still, whether Gronkowski makes the 53-man roster or not, draft pick No. 255 of 256, the most irrelevant pick without being Mr. Irrelevant, is letting people know he’s there.