By Sunday 
Training camp is here, and while fans focus on star quarterbacks and wideouts, the Detroit Lions are quietly brewing one of the grittiest position battles in camp: who gets the 3rd tight end spot?
With Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright already locked in, it’s a full-on slugfest among Shane Zylstra, Kenny Yeboah, Luke Deal, and Zach Horton for that final seat at the table.
Spoiler: this battle isn’t about who makes the flashiest catch. It’s about sweat, blocks, and good old-fashioned grit.
The Veteran: Zylstra’s Familiar Face, Familiar Fire
If this were about seniority, Shane Zylstra would already be penciled in. The Lions just re-signed the 6’4”, 244 lb. vet, and he’s the only returnee in the TE room behind LaPorta and Wright.
While his pass-catching record may not jump off the stat sheet (just one reception last season), he did once pull off a three-touchdown game in 2022, reminding everyone of the hands that made him a record-setter at Minnesota State.
But Zylstra isn’t here for flash. He’s a bruiser. A blocking tight end the coaches can trust. And in a Lions system that values muscle over highlight reels, that might be his golden ticket.
“If brotherly competition was the key to unlocking Zylstra’s most productive season, perhaps competing for this roster spot could bring him to a new level.”
The Wildcard: Kenny Yeboah’s Special Teams Swagger
Then there’s Kenny Yeboah, the former Jet. He might not have had many receptions, but he has something the Lions love: versatility, especially on special teams.
At 6’4” and 249 lbs., Yeboah fits the physical profile and started finding his groove in New York with 47 yards and a TD in 2024 — nearly half his career yardage.
“Posting more than 42% of his receiving yards in the past year suggests Yeboah was only beginning to develop his skills in this area.”
More importantly? He knows how to disrupt. Whether it’s on kickoff coverage or as a run blocker, he brings lunchpail energy every time he’s called on.
The Rookies: Hungry and Hitting Hard
You can’t ignore the fresh blood either.
Luke Deal, an Auburn captain, brings leadership and serious blocking pedigree. Though his stats don’t dazzle, the Lions didn’t sign him to catch bombs — they signed him to bully edge rushers.
Then there’s Zach Horton, the high-motor Hoosier. What he lacks in speed (4.95 40-yard dash), he makes up in pure football attitude. He’s been impressing in camp by doing it all — in-line, backfield, slot… even fullback.
“Whether he’s deployed in-line, backfield, or slot, Horton can handle the assignment with confidence.”
And if the coaches want someone who can flip into a fullback role on the fly? Horton might be their guy.
So, Who Takes It?
Let’s be real — this spot isn’t going to the guy with the softest hands or the highest Madden rating. It’s going to the guy who does the dirty work.
In OC John Morton’s system, unpredictability is key. If you’re not catching the ball, you better be punching holes in the D-line or blowing up a special teams wedge.
“I’m always looking to put our best players on the field at all times.” – John Morton
Zylstra has the edge on chemistry. Yeboah has the special teams chops. Horton has the momentum. Deal has the raw tools.
If versatility and blocking win the day — and they usually do in Detroit — this race might come down to who’s willing to grind the hardest when the cameras aren’t rolling.
Stay tuned. This isn’t just a camp battle — it’s a job interview in cleats.