ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) -The Detroit Lions had all sorts of needs after going 0-16. Tight end didn’t seem like a priority, but Brandon Pettigrew was too good – and too tall – to pass up in the draft.
Detroit took the big tight end from Oklahoma State with their second first-round draft pick
If he successfully makes the transition to the NFL, the 6-foot-5 Pettigrew fills two needs for the Lions: a playmaking tight end and solid blocker on the wing.
“Every day he does something that catches your eye,” coach Jim Schwartz said Sunday.
Pettigrew started his last 43 games at Oklahoma State and ended his senior season as the first tight end in school history to catch more than 100 (112) passes in a career. He had 42 catches during his final season, which also saw him develop into an effective blocker.
His size should help in an offense that already features 6-5 wideout Calvin Johnson.
but it’s going to be fun.”
The oft-injured Dan Campbell was released after last season, leaving Casey FitzSimmons (12 catches, 85 yards) as the only tight end here who caught a pass as a Lion. Will Heller, who had 29 catches last season in Seattle, signed as a free agent during the offseason and rookies Jake Nordin and Dan Gronkowski also are in camp.
“They drafted me to help make the offense better,” Pettigrew said of the Lions, who took him 20th overall. “I want to do whatever I can to make it better.”
Detroit was 24th in passing yardage last season and got just 18 touchdown catches from its receivers last fall as it posted the first-ever 0-16 season.
David Hill was the last Lions tight end to make more than one Pro Bowl appearance. His last trip to Hawaii was 1980.
Pettigrew already has gotten some pointers from the franchise’s only Hall of Fame tight end. He had several chances to chat with Charlie Sanders during offseason training sessions.
“He gave me a lot of advice,” Pettigrew said. “He knows so much. He can be a great resource.”
Notes: WR Adam Jennings was excused from the morning session for personal reasons but was back on the field Sunday afternoon. … WR Demir Boldin and DT Sammie Hill took part in both sessions Sunday, a day after they were held out because they failed conditioning tests. … Detroit Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey attended the afternoon session.
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