Lions tight end Joseph Fauria, a 6-foot-7 red-zone threat as a rookie, should have a bigger role in the 2014 offense, general manager Martin Mayhew told MLive.com. "I think Matthew [Stafford] had a comfort level with him in the red area more so than in the field," Mayhew said.
"And then the offensive coordinator feeling comfortable to create opportunities for him to get the ball. So, it'll be a process. He certainly has the talent level to suggest he can be more productive in the field than he has been."
Seven of Fauria's 18 catches went for touchdowns. If the Lions don't re-sign Brandon Pettigrew, Fauria could see a major spike in playing time. Fauria played fewer than a quarter of the snaps last season due to his weakness as a blocker, the report said.