INDIANAPOLIS -- "Big Joe likey."

That was Joseph Fauria's reaction to new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi bringing the Saints' playbook to the Detroit Lions, and the second-year tight end has good reason to like the move.

It could hand him an even bigger role in Detroit's plans.

"I think so," general manager Martin Mayhew said last week.

The 6-foot-7 pass-catching tight end went undrafted out of UCLA last year, but was picked up by the Lions and hauled in a surprising seven touchdown catches as a rookie. That trailed only Calvin Johnson on the team.

Much of Fauria's production, though, occurred in the red zone. Six of his 18 catches -- a third of his production -- came in that final 20 yards, and he played fewer than a quarter of Detroit's offensive snaps overall due to his deficiencies as a blocker.

Mayhew envisions a bigger role for him next year after some refinement.

"It's going to be for him, learning a new offense," Mayhew said. "It's going to be his second offense in two years. Getting into a comfort level with Matthew (Stafford).

"I think Matthew had a comfort level with him in the red area more so than in the field. And then the offensive coordinator feeling comfortable to create opportunities for him to get the ball. So, it'll be a process. He certainly has the talent level to suggest he can be more productive in the field than he has been."

Detroit has said re-signing starter Brandon Pettigrew is a priority, but right now has only Fauria and blocking specialist Michael Williams under contract for 2014. Williams, a seventh-rounder out of Alabama last year, lost his rookie season to a broken hand.

If the Lions don't get a deal done with Pettigrew, they could add a tight end in the draft (North Carolina's Eric Ebron is an option in the first round) or free agency. Either way, Fauria figures to factor more prominently into the equation.

His lengthy 6-7 frame and soft hands make him a unique threat for defenses. And now he's paired with a coordinator in Lombardi who was part of a New Orleans staff that made the pass-catching Jimmy Graham an All-Pro.

Fauria should have a more prominent role in 2014, including between the 20s, a role he welcomes.

"Blocking, running routes, catching, all that stuff," Fauria said on locker cleanout day. "I want to do it all."