Along with getting drafted in the first round, come big expectations.

So far defensive tackle Nick Fairley, the Lions 13th overall pick in 2011, has not delivered.

In his rookie season he was hampered by lingering effects from a broken foot. He showed glimpses, but couldn’t play consistently at a high level.

This season he’s healthy. Yet so far he hasn’t really shown us much.

He’s got another chance on Saturday night at the Oakland Raiders in the Lions third preseason game.

“He struggled early when we started camp and he’s starting to get into shape,’’ defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham said this week.

“A lot of these young guys like Willie Young for example, not being mature (as a rookie), (Fairley) lacked some of that maturity. He had to work overtime.

“Last week in the first half you could feel the Nick Fairley I know,’’ Cunningham added. “He’s run after practice, he’s done lot of good things to get himself ready to play. Last week I was really impressed in that first half.’’

Fairley should be even more motivated after embarrassing himself and the team with two offseason arrests — one for drunk driving, one for marijuana possession. He faces possible suspension by the NFL.

He also faces tough competition among defensive linemen.

Ndamukong Suh and Corey Williams have lined up with the starters in camp. Fairley is in the second group along with Sammie Hill. Andre Fluellen has had a good camp and is versatile.

Time for a healthy Fairley to show what he’s got.

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