Detroit Lions TE Hakeem Valles is ready to capture opportunity One of the things Lions fans http://www.authenticsdetroitlions.com/cheap-t.j.-lang-jersey , bloggers and beat writers all have in common around July and August is the need to find that diamond in rough during training camp. It’s how we found current guys like Kerry Hyder Jr. or past players like Joe Fauria and Joique Bell. This year a lot of people focused on undrafted receiver Teo Redding early on. For me, my focus was on a little-known tight end named Hakeem Valles. After this year’s preseason performance, I believe every Lions fans will know his name in 2018.Hakeem is going into his third year in the NFL. He was actually on the Lions practice squad during the 2017 season. He’s worked his way up the roster since coming over from Arizona last year. Hakeem had himself a pretty good showing during the preseason. Valles had eight receptions for 84 yards. That may not seem like much for four games, but Valles outshined the rest of the Lions tight ends, at least in the receiving game. What will that mean for his role now that the regular season has arrived? Even Valles isn’t sure.“When it comes to role http://www.authenticsdetroitlions.com/cheap-quandre-diggs-jersey , I mean that’s all upstairs.” Valles said. “I’m pretty much ready and prepared to be wherever they throw me out at and I’m gonna capture that opportunity and just take care of what I gotta do.”Valles has a good chance to capture that opportunity as he plays a position on the Lions that is still searching for a primary receiving option. Levine Toilolo is going to be a blocker first, and Luke Willson could very well be a problem in the red zone, but as far as everywhere else on the field, that is where Valles could shine. Valles thinks so too, but he also wants to get in anywhere he can be used. “My biggest asset is obviously running routes and catching the ball Color Rush Christian Jones Jersey ,” Valles said. “I’m just ready to prove that I can be an efficient part of this team. I’m not scared to go down in the trenches and things like that.” Valles also brings some valuable special teams experience, having taken that role with Cardinals during his rookie year. So Valles is going to find his spot on this team somewhere. But entering Monday night’s season opener against the Jets, Valles is sitting fourth on the unofficial depth chart at tight end.His work is not done yet. If I were a betting man, I’d bet that Valles works with way up that depth chart and becomes a local favorite of Lions fans for his hard work and sure handedness in 2018. I look forward to watching the journey. The first week of NFL playoff action is now in the books and now things really start heating up. All eight teams will be in action this week as they will fight for a spot in the conference championships. Here are how the final eight teams stack up:[Editor’s note: An initial version of this article had the AFC matchups mixed up]1. New Orleans Saints (13-3; vs. Eagles)The Saints got an extra week of rest before their matchup with the Eagles in the divisional round. New Orleans met the Eagles in November and crushed them 48-7. Drew Brees and the offense will hope that they can repeat the performance in the postseason. 2. Los Angeles Rams (13-3; vs. Cowboys)The Rams narrowly avoided a Bears team that dominated them a few weeks ago and instead get a much weaker Cowboys squad. Their offense will still face a tough test against Dallas’ grueling defense, though. 3. Kansas City Chiefs (12-4; vs. Colts)Kansas City will face off with Andrew Luck and the red hot Colts Youth Frank Ragnow Jersey , which may give a lot of trouble to a struggling defense. 4. Los Angeles Chargers (13-4; @ Patriots)The Chargers defense was unstoppable against the Ravens. They bullied rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson all day and held the Ravens to under 50 yards for the majority of the game. Now they will take on a tough test as they head to Foxborough to take on Tom Brady’s Patriots 5. Indianapolis Colts (11-6; @ Chiefs)Indianapolis put the Texans away fairly early and then packed it in for next week. Now they face off against a Patrick Mahomes Chiefs in the buzzsaw that can be Arrowhead on the road. 6. New England Patriots (11-5; vs. Colts)New England got a week off and now they will face off against a familiar foe in the Indianapolis Colts. Their weak defense will be put to the test against Andrew Luck and the Colts’ high-flying offense.7. Dallas Cowboys (11-6; @ Rams)Dak Prescott took over the fourth quarter as Cowboys came out victorious against the Seahawks. Now the quarterback, and the vaunted defense he has behind him, will travel to Los Angeles to take on one of the NFL’s juggernauts for a chance to return the legendary franchise to the NFC title game. 8. Philadelphia Eagles (10-7; @ Saints)The Underdogs did it once again. Philadelphia’s front seven played a great game and a late missed field goal by Cody Parkey sealed the win for the Eagles. The Super Bowl champions will now continue their title defense against the juggernaut Saints at the Superdome. In memoriam:9. Chicago Bears (12-5)Audible dong struck again and this time it really hurt.10. Seattle Seahawks (10-7)The first ever victims of “Playoff Dak”.11. Houston Texans (11-6)The offense did not show up until the third quarter and even then, a string of failed fourth downs cost them any chance to beat the Colts. 12. Baltimore Ravens (10-7)Turns out trying to play football with a training dummy at guard is a bad idea.