Detroit Lions hosting C.J. Fiedorowicz
C.J. Fiedorowicz (86) against the LSU Tigers. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Detroit Lions are in the market for some pass-catching help in the 2014 NFL Draft, and it looks like adding an impact WR or TE will be a priority for Martin Mayhew, especially after the team decided to re-sign veteran cornerback Rashean Mathis to a one-year deal. While I expect the Lions to go after a guy like Mike Evans or Odell Beckham Jr. (Eric Ebron is also strongly in play) with the tenth overall pick, they could still decide to take a cornerback like Justin Gilbert in the first. But even if they do what most of us expect and take a top pass-catcher in the first round, they could still add another weapon to help Matthew Stafford out later on.
Per a league source close to the National Football Post’s Aaron Wilson, Iowa Hawkeyes tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz is visiting the Detroit Lions today, and it will be interesting to see if the Lions decide to draft the well-rounded tight end. Fiedorowicz spent most of his time blocking at Iowa, but he’s also a very talented pass-catcher with decent speed and very good hands. He has the ability to make difficult catches in traffic and make an impact as a pass-catcher. While he isn’t as touted as Troy Niklas, Fiedorowicz is the fifth-best TE in the class and would be a solid value for the Lions in the third round of the draft.
The big TE has the upside to be a top starter in the league due to his pass-catching upside and already-stout in-line blocking ability, and the Lions could have a very good TE duo in Fiedorowicz and Brandon Pettigrew. OBJ, a second-round DB, and Fiedorowicz in the first three hands would be the foundation for another strong draft in Detroit, and it’s always important to note that the Lions do an excellent job of identifying late-round talent.