The Lions spent a significant portion of their pre-draft preparation looking at players that could provide an upgrade in the return game, and with several young players with return experience in college, they won’t need to keep a player on the 53-man roster strictly as a returner.
Jeremy Ross, who held the duties the past year and a half, remains one of the top receivers on the depth chart, so even though his return job could be in jeopardy, he still has a chance to make the team because of his offensive skills.
For the Lions, the winner of the return position might not become clear until after four exhibition games, but the first exhibition Thursday night against the Jets should provide some idea of which players the coaches most want to see at that spot.