ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Detroit Lions have a crowded backfield. And they have no plans, at least publicly, to trim it.

That includes at fullback, where the Lions are rolling two deep after the signing of Jed Collins this offseason.

They lured Collins away from New Orleans earlier this month to be their blocking fullback, and say that move will not affect Montell Owens' standing with the team.

General manager Martin Mayhew said the players fill different roles, and both could make the 53-man roster in the fall.

"Montell can play fullback, but Montell is sort of a tweener halfback/fullback guy," Mayhew said. "Obviously Jed, he's a hammering fullback. I've seen him play fullback on some run downs and short-yardage situations, he can play some special teams for you in some other situations. So they're really two different types of players.

"There's a way where you keep both of them, so we'll see how it all plays out."

Collins had just 19 carries over the past three years with New Orleans, though 15 of them came last year. He caught 39 passes, never more than 14 in a season.

But at 6-foot-1 and 255 pounds, he can be a devastating blocker and will be used as such in an offense that is expected to feature more two-back sets.

Owens, at a more nimble 5-10 and 219 pounds, had 42 carries in 2012, his last healthy season. He played only one game last year due to a pair of knee injuries.

In seven years with Jacksonville, he was one of the NFL's best and most versatile special teams players.

The Lions also intend to stand pat at tailback, where they have four players under contract, each of whom is expected to open the season in Detroit.

That includes Mikel Leshoure, the former second-round pick who has been buried behind Reggie Bush, Joique Bell and Theo Riddick. The club does not plan to engage in trade talks for him.

"I like our depth at running back," Mayhew said. "I'm not opposed to adding to it, but I do like our depth at running back."