Dave Birkett

Detroit Free Press

With most of their starting spots sewed up, the Detroit Lions can spend the next four weeks evaluating players for back-end roster jobs.

One of the most hotly contested openings appears to be at the wide receiver position, where undrafted rookie Jay Lee and veteran Andre Roberts both made convincing cases for longer looks at Saturday's mock game.

Lee had a big day catching passes from backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky against the Lions' mostly first-team defense, and Roberts left an impression with a long kickoff return after Orlovsky's first touchdown pass.

Officially, Roberts was ruled down at the 29-yard line to set up a field goal by the first-team offense. But there was no live tackling in the game and it's quite possible he could have made it inside the 10 before defenders chased him down from behind.

Roberts, who signed with the Lions in June and is competing for one or two receiver spots along with Lee, Andre Caldwell and Jeremy Kerley, among others, is coming off an 11-catch season in Washington in which he was hurt and rarely used. Earlier in his career, he was a productive receiver and return man for the Arizona Cardinals, and Roberts said he'd love to handle return duties for the Lions.

"I've been doing returns since I’ve been in the NFL and I want that spot," Roberts said. "I know Ameer's been doing well at it and I know that he wants to focus on running back a little bit. So if he can focus on running back and let me take on those duties, that’ll be nice."

Ameer Abdullah led the Lions in rushing and handled kick returns as a rookie, and Lions coach Jim Caldwell said this summer he expects the running back to play a similar role this fall.

But performances like Saturday can only help in Roberts' pursuit for a spot on the 53-man roster and a role on the team.

"I think it always helps when you put good things on tape," Roberts said. "So hopefully it helps. You never know, but it can’t hurt."

Contact Dave Birkett: dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.

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