Lions release Burton to make room for Asiata

By Brett Whitefield
Posted May 30, 2017 6:05 am EDT • Detroit Lions

As reported by Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, the Detroit Lions have released fullback Michael Burton to make room for newly signed running back Matt Asiata.
Burton was a fifth-round draft pick in 2015 by the Lions former general manager Martin Mayhew. The Lions clearly valued the position less this past season as Burton only saw the field for 95 offensive snaps despite being the only fullback on the roster, down from 244 in 2015.
Burton has performed well so far in his career, earning the third-highest grade among fullbacks in 2015 at 80.6. While he didn’t play enough snaps to qualify for a rank in 2016, his 79.3 overall grade was similar to his rookie season.

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