If ever a player was extra motivated, it’s tight end Joe Fauria who sat and watched as the Lions drafted tight end Eric Ebron in the first round. Immediately the Lions made a point that there will be room for Fauria in the offense too.

Here are three reasons he will still play a role.

1. At 6-foot-7 and good hands, it’s like he was born to play in the red zone and catch touchdowns. Seven of his 18 receptions last season were scores.

2. Brandon Pettigrew disagrees with people who say Fauria can’t block. On the last day of minicamp Pettigrew said Fauria had developed all around. “We work this stuff together all day,’’ Pettigrew said. “I see him. He can block, he can split out , he can catch the ball, he can high-point the ball.’’

3. There’s room for three tight ends in this offense. Eric Ebron has a ways to go to learn the offense. He’s presumably the No. 2 tight end. But this offense will play plenty of two tight-end packages and, in fact, could have three tight ends on the field at the same time occasionally. Fauria proved his worth last season. This new coaching staff is only going to work to make him better.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)