The Facts: On most teams, Fauria would be tabbed as a breakout star. Of course, he plays for a Lions team that just spent the 10th pick in the NFL Draft on tight end Eric Ebron, so he might not have as many chances. Fauria was upbeat but realistic, knowing it’s going to be tougher to come by seven touchdowns again this year. “When you’re in the first round, you pick the best player,” Fauria said of Ebron. “And at No. 10 the Lions’ front office thought that was the best player, and he’s a heck of a teammate.”

Diehards Line: Fauria talked about the way new OC Joe Lombardi had made use of tight ends in the past, but the Lions are now deep at the position with Brandon Pettigrew and Ebron. “I think it fits perfectly,” he said. “Guys in the New Orleans offense thrived in this offense, like Jimmy Graham and guys like Ben Watson. So this is tight-end friendly, tight-end pass-catching friendly. It gives everybody a chance to make some plays. ..." For fantasy owners, however, it will be hard to view Fauria as anything more as bye-week filler if somebody ahead of him gets cut.