Tight ends and running backs tend to be undervalued in the NFL Draft.
Yet, it's indisputable how important they become game day.
Tight ends Travis Kelce (Kansas City), Rob Gronkowski (New England) and Zach Ertz (Philadelphia) were undeniably important parts of the most recent Super Bowl champions. There are many reasons the 49ers have turned it around. None more important, though, than George Kittle.
Running back Marshawn Lynch's role with the Seahawks was clear during recent Super Bowl runs.
Each spot is important in short yardage, on third down, in the scoring zone and involve numerous ball touches.
What's the saying? "There are five or six key plays that determine an NFL game…"
...And they often involve tight ends and running backs.
These are positions the Lions have struggled mightily to fill.
The Lions need it to be different in 2020 now that first-round tight end T.J. Hockenson has a season under his belt, and rookie second-round draft pick D'Andre Swift has joined Kerryon Johnson in the backfield.
The Lions' offense could be prolific. Matthew Stafford's arm talent has never been in question and wide receiver Kenny Golladay is an emerging star. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell's system flashed brilliance last season before Stafford was injured.
But in order to fully exploit the QB and system, the Lions need much more production at running back and tight end.
It was not a coincidence the Lions' offense moved exceptionally well when Johnson was effective, getting 26 and 21 touches as the Lions nearly upset Kansas City and beat the Eagles on the road.
Hockenson was really good in the opener at Arizona - and so was the Lions' offense, at least until the fourth quarter.
The Lions must get much better production in the middle of the field and scoring zone from TE. Lions' tight ends combined for just three TDs in 2019.
Swift is electrifying in the open field, and needs to push the edges to take at least half the load so the often-injured Johnson can stay healthy and productive.
The Lions, of course, have been here before. They have had just one Pro Bowl tight end (David Sloan 1999) since Hall of Farmer Charlie Sanders retired in 1977. They haven't featured a Pro Bowl running back since Barry Sanders.
Given the Lions have picked three tight ends in the first round (Brandon Pettigrew, Eric Ebron and Hockenson) the past dozen years, and have continually traded up to draft running backs (Kevin Jones, Kevin Smith, Jahvid Best, Mikel Leshoure and Johnson) under three front office regimes, it points to their overall issues.
The Lions have understood the importance of running back and tight end, and have drafted the spots constantly - to the detriment of other positions, especially defensively.
It's led to poor use of draft capital in a salary cap league, and a devastating domino effect.
The Lions' defense remains questionable entering 2020, but the Lions would be better able to compensate for it if Hockenson and Swift produce at a high rate.
And it would finally clear the future for the Lions to work on positions other than running back and tight end.
