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Updates from Week 4
Quarterbacks
Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson was optimistic about Jared Goff heading into the season. Johnson said, “I think he’s had a great camp. He’s displaying a lot of confidence within this system right now and once again; we’re trying to tailor it to what he does best.” The final preseason game saw struggles from both David Blough and Tim Boyle. Boyle started and went 5 for 15 with 64 yards and one interception. He was replaced later in the game by Blough who fumbled and was sacked twice but managed a 17-for-32 and 160-yard performance with a touchdown. Prior to the game, Head Coach Dan Campbell said he wanted one of the backup quarterbacks to step up but was not pleased with the performance. Campbell said, “I think it became very clear. I think we got things answered, and I would leave it at that.” Campbell did not endorse a backup, but his comments have drawn speculation the team will look to the waiver wire for a potential backup to Goff.
Running Backs
Coach Johnson was complimentary of DAndre Swift during the week. Johnson said, “For us, I mean, he’s an explosive playmaker, so each week it’s, ‘How can we get him the ball? How many different ways can we get him the ball?’ So, we’ll always explore that, and then there’ll be times too we’ll use him as a little bit of eye candy and get the other guys the ball,” The top of the running back pecking order for the Lions is clear: Swift is the starter with Jamaal Williams as the backup, with Craig Reynolds likely slotting in as the third running back on the depth chart. Jermar Jefferson drew the start against the Steelers in the final preseason game and broke a game-high 27-yard rush. Justin Jackson has played well in his brief stint with the Lions and led the team in rushing in the final preseason game with 44 yards. Campbell noted Godwin Igwebuike was the primary kick returner, making the position a close call according to The Athletic.
Wide Receivers
Amon-Ra St. Brown, D.J. Chark, and Josh Reynolds entered training camp as Detroit’s first-team wide receivers, and in the absence of Jameson Williams, they have solidified their standing. Williams has been placed on the reserve/NFI list, which means he will miss the first four games. Notably, Williams has “been extremely engaged since camp began. He’s attached to receivers coach Antwaan Randle-El’s hip at practice. He carries a football in his arms like a newborn baby every time he’s out on the field.” The Lions have been noncommittal on a potential return date for Williams. Quintez Cephus, Khalif Raymond, Tom Kennedy, and Trinity Benson are competing for the roster, but none figure to be impact players in fantasy formats, given their places on the depth chart.
Tight Ends
Like running back and wide receiver, the top of Detroit’s tight end core is clear with T.J. Hockenson. James Mitchell has “been moving well and has held his own as a run blocker.” Mitchell missed time during the offseason and early in training camp but has returned to camp and is projected to make the roster. Mitchell said, “The draft, the whole process, I knew I was gonna be behind in a lot of the areas. But I’ve just tried to keep my mental side up, learn the playbook and really just try to pick the vets’ brains. There’s definitely a sense of urgency in my mind with the late start obviously and camp and not having OTAs.” Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra are projected to make the roster by The Athletic.
Kickers
Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said the kicker battle between Austin Seibert and Riley Patterson is “really tight.” The performance in the final preseason game vs. the Steelers could determine the outcome. Seibert had a chance to put himself in the lead but missed a 55-yard field goal attempt last week. Patterson is better on kickoffs, which could mean the difference if the battle is otherwise even. The loser could get claimed elsewhere as both appear to be NFL-quality kickers.
Defense
Sixth-round pick linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez has been elevated to getting starting reps in training camp. Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn said, “And I think he’s doing a really good job with that because he’s a focused individual. He understands exactly what he has to do to have a role as far as this defense is concerned, and I’m proud of the way he’s operating.”
Returners
Long-time specialist Kalif Raymond returned punts for the Lions last year and has a strong grip on the job again for 2022, but the Lions need a kickoff returner. Raymond also has experience there, but he's much more natural on punts. Godwin Igwebuike remains the team’s top kickoff returner, but the Lions hope Maurice Alexander-- an all-USFL returner-- will be able to push for more playing time throughout the season.
Updates from Week 3
Quarterbacks
The Athletic projects Jared Goff and Tim Boyle to make the 53-man roster, with David Blough expected to be cut. Goff is healthy and has had an excellent training camp by all accounts. Blough had a rough ending to the first preseason game, where his fumble cost the team the game. After struggling in the first preseason game, Blough played ahead of Boyle in the second preseason game. Blough struggled, fumbling (recovered) before throwing an interception into tight coverage. Blough then led and end of the half touchdown drive. On the day, Boyle was 16 for 22 with 76 yards. Boyle played the second half and was more effective, throwing for 99 yards on 15 attempts and a touchdown. Boyle has consistently been ahead of Blough on the depth chart, so the start by Blough was atypical of their usage. The situation deserves monitoring, but Blough has done nothing to establish himself ahead of Boyle if the team keeps two quarterbacks.
Running Backs
A theme in Detroit’s training camp has been running back coach Duce Staley attempting to get the best out of DAndre Swift. Staley was featured on Hard Knocks saying, “I need to know when he’s one-on-one — no matter if he’s running a route or has the ball in his hands — no one can guard him or tackle him. … He’s got it. It’s in there. (That) boy’s special. And every day we get out there, in between those lines, he’s gotta believe that.” According to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic, this has also been true in practice, where “Staley has never been shy about pushing Swift. He’s constantly in his face at practice. He challenges him in each drill and wants the other backs to give him everything they’ve got. That’s the standard Staley has set. But it’s all in the effort to get the best out of Swift because Staley knows what he has in his young running back.” The Athletic projects the Lions to keep five running backs, including Swift, Jamaal Williams, Craig Reynolds, and Godwin Igwebuike, to go along with fullback Jason Cabinda. This would put both Reynolds and Igwebuike ahead of Justin Jackson and Jermar Jefferson. The movement of Igwebuike ahead of Jefferson is notable because Jefferson was listed ahead of Igwebuike on the depth chart last week. The second preseason game held closer to the team’s depth chart, as Reynolds started with Swift and Williams inactive. Reynolds played the first two series before giving way to Jefferson and Jackson in the second quarter. Igwebuike scored a touchdown, but it was late in the second half of the game. The situation remains fluid behind Swift, Williams, and Reynolds as the top three on the depth chart, with uncertainty on who, if anyone, will make the team.
Wide Receivers
The Athletic projected the Lions to keep Amon-Ra St. Brown, D.J. Chark, Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, and Quintez Cephus, with Jameson Williams still on the NFI list. Quintez Cephus traveled with the team and participated in individual work but has yet to participate in team activities as he works back from injury. St. Brown, Chark, and Reynolds all sat out the team’s second preseason game. St. Brown and Chark have both been the subject of positive reports throughout camp, with Chark opening the vertical passing game in ways Detroit did not have the personnel for in 2021. Tom Kennedy is projected to miss the depth chart but continues to play well in the preseason, scoring the two receiving touchdowns for the Lions in the second preseason game.
Tight Ends
The Athletic projected the Lions to keep T.J. Hockenson, James Mitchell, and Brock Wright on the 53-man roster. Devin Funchess left practice midweek with an apparent shoulder injury. Mitchell was a slow starter in camp as he is recovering from a torn ACL that ended his season but is “moving well and holding his own as a block. His spot is secure.” Hockenson did not play in the team’s second preseason game, but Zylstra tied for a team-high in receptions (5) for 34 yards. Zylstra’s work came in the first half, while Mitchell’s two targets were late in the second half.
Kickers
Riley Patterson made both of his extra point attempts in the win over the Colts but didn’t attempt a field goal. Austin Seibert made his extra point attempt but missed one of his three field goal attempts, coming from 55 yards. Seibert is probably still in the lead, but he would have closed the door on Patterson if he had been good from 55 in a preseason game.
Defense
Malcolm Rodriguez has begun to take first-team reps against the Colts in joint practice. Rodriguez has drawn praise from Detroit’s Linebacker Coach Kelvin Sheppard. Austin Bryant had a sack in the team’s second preseason game after a strong performance in training camp. According to Colton Pouncy of The Athletic, “He was a menace against the Colts in joint practices, particularly Thursday when he recorded three sacks during the scrimmage portion.”
Offensive Line
Casual fans may not realize how highly this offensive line ranks this season. Our model has them sneaking up to third overall, and their play during early preseason has backed up this take. Center Frank Ragnow is showing no sign of rust after last season's surgery, and right tackle Penei Sewell has had epic battles with rookie defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai had back spasms, but he returned the next day. This group is underrated.
Updates from Week 2
Quarterbacks
Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic praised Jared Goff, saying, “Based on everything I’ve seen from him this spring and summer, I’d feel comfortable saying Goff’s had a terrific offseason. He’s in control of the offense. Players respect his voice. He has a rapport with his top three wide receivers and T.J. Hockenson. He looks like a confident NFL player again, and that’s a great thing for the Lions.” Goff’s performance this offseason has consistently drawn positive reviews, a good sign heading into a critical year for his career trajectory. Goff played the first drive of Detroit’s preseason game with the first team offense and led the team down the field for a 10-play touchdown drive. Goff had an excellent rollout with touch to Amon-Ra St. Brown, setting up the Lions in the red zone for a score. Tim Boyle was listed ahead of David Blough on the team’s first depth chart and played ahead of Blough against the Falcons. Boyle led two scoring drives, including one culminating with a touchdown pass to Devin Funchess. Boyle had a great throw to Khalif Raymond to split the corner and safety along the perimeter, highlighting excellent arm strength. Boyle threw an interception on an out route undercut by a cornerback but generally outplayed Blough, who led the team in passing but had a terrible fumble which set the Falcons up to win the game in the fourth quarter. Boyle continues to have a firm hold of the QB2 spot behind Goff.
Running Backs
There was no surprise with the team’s first unofficial depth chart. D’Andre Swift was listed with the first team and Jamaal Williams on the second. Swift played in the first drive against the Falcons and scored a nine-yard rushing touchdown before exiting the game. Williams also drew first drive work, including a drop. Craig Reynolds and Jermar Jefferson are listed on the third team, ahead of Godwin Igwebuike and Justin Jackson. This ordering was consistent with the first preseason game. Jefferson had led the team in carries, but no one distinguished themselves outside of Swift and Williams.
Wide Receivers
D.J. Chark continues to receive positive reviews, including Kyle Meinke of Mlive.com, who wrote, “Chark has been nearly unguardable for the last week or so, including catching a team-high two touchdowns in the scrimmage on Saturday.” Meinke also noted St. Brown’s training camp is better than last year, observing that “his route running -- his explosion in and out of breaks -- is on another planet from where he was this time last year. His hands have remained sure. And coaches are especially pleased with his new abilities once he has the football in his hands.” Meinke also noted that Goff loves throwing to St. Brown with the offense seeking to find “creative ways to deploy him.” St. Brown caught multiple balls on the first drive of the first preseason game, including an intermediate crosser that set up the first-team offense’s touchdown. Josh Reynolds is listed on the first team along with Chark and St. Brown on the team’s first depth chart. Jameson Williams’s return from his torn ACL is still a question as head coach Dan Campbell said, “Until we really get him out there on the grass and doing some serious cuts and moving and then seeing how he reacts to it, it’ll be hard for me to say (a timeline) right now.” Tom Kennedy led the team with 12 targets, 8 receptions, and 104 receiving yards in the team’s scrimmage. Much of Kennedy’s production was in the second half of the game, and this is the second consecutive preseason when Kennedy has done well in preseason games.
Tight Ends
T.J. Hockenson had some time off with a minor injury during the week, but this should not be a regular season concern. Baumgardner noted James Mitchell has been practicing and was looking “pretty good” and he should “feel better about him making the 53-man roster.” Mitchell was listed as a fourth team player, behind second teamers Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra and third teamers Garrett Griffin and Devin Funchess. Hockenson was inactive for the first preseason game against the Falcons, and Wright drew first-team snaps, including the first target of the game from Jared Goff. Funchess caught a goal line fade for a touchdown from Tim Boyle while working with the second-team offense.
Kickers
Austin Seibert is staying ahead in the kicker battle with Riley Patterson after head coach Dan Campbell said he was a “tick better” than Patterson and that he felt “really good” about the kicker the team had to start the 2021 season. Both kickers were perfect in the loss to the Falcons, with Patterson going 2-for-2 on field goals and making his extra point attempt, while Seibert made his field goal attempt from 46 and converted his extra point attempt. Patterson would be a top candidate to be signed elsewhere if Seibert can hold onto the job.
Defense
Second-round pick Josh Paschal had surgery for a sports hernia and is being held out of training camp. Jeff Okudah and Will Harris are listed as the starters at the team’s cornerback position on the first depth chart. Okudah is working back from a torn Achilles while Harris is a converted safety. According to Meinke of Mlive.com, first-round rookie Aidan Hutchinson “was unstoppable while working with the backups throughout the offseason program, and has remained disruptive since getting promoted to the first team for the start of camp. That’s especially true from the interior, and he should have an immediate role there when the season opens in a month.” This work carried over to the game against the Falcons when Hutchinson had a tackle for loss on the first play from scrimmage.
Returners
Long-time specialist Kalif Raymond returned punts for the Lions last year and has a strong grip on the job again for 2022, but the Lions need a kickoff returner. Raymond also has experience there, but he's much more natural on punts. The leading candidate is last year's choice, Godwin Igwebuike, but the Lions also recently signed Maurice Alexander-- an all-USFL returner-- to push him.
Updates from Week 1
Quarterbacks
The Athletic’s Nick Baumgardner was positive about Jared Goff, noting it’s been a good offseason for Goff. Goff calmed down, got better, is more involved with everything, and is looked to as a leader now. Beat reports are similar, saying that Goff looks “comfortable right now,” according to Colton Pouncey at The Athletic. Goff’s accuracy is sharper, and his efficiency to get plays called and out of the huddle is better. His dunk highlighted his improved performance in camp. Goff’s practice performance carried over to the intrasquad scrimmage, where he completed 13 of 17 passes with four touchdowns, one to Josh Reynolds and Amon-Ra St. Brown and two to D.J. Chark. Goff struggled with deep passing last year, but Chark was optimistic from training camp. After the team’s intrasquad scrimmage, Chark said of Goff, “We practice a lot of these things, talk about a lot of these things. A lot of it showed up today. He took some chances on me, on (Amon-Ra St. Brown), with the deep ball. It’s our job to continue to help him feel comfortable. We’re starting to get a rhythm.” According to Kyle Meinke of Mlive.com, the backup quarterbacks struggled in the scrimmage and “didn’t do much to impress” as Tim Boyle and David Blough compete for the backup quarterback spot.
Running Backs
DAndre Swift “operates at a different speed from anyone else around him, and he pulled away from the defense on a few big runs Saturday,” according to The Athletic. Dan Campbell was positive about Swift, calling him “one of our most explosive players on offense.” He is the backfield leader, with Jamaal Williams looking “jacked and ready to rumble up the middle.” After being “a little bit of a deer in the headlights” as a rookie, Jermar Jefferson was one of the players who made the biggest progress from his rookie season, according to Campbell. Jefferson’s showing growth on special teams - a critical role for him in making the team. The team added free agent Justin Jackson after UDFA Greg Bell was injured in training camp. Jefferson was a multiple-year backup with the Chargers.
Wide Receivers
After struggling with a weak receiving corps in 2021, the Lions have revamped the position. Rookie breakout Amon-Ra St. Brown catches 200 passes on the Jugs machine daily after practice. St. Brown is anchored in as the slot wide receiver and a leading candidate to lead the team in receiving yards. Josh Reynolds drew multi-species praise from head coach Dan Campbell. Campbell said, “He’s different now; he’s a different athlete. He’s slippery, man. I call him the ‘praying mantis.’ He’s a spider of death. He’s just — there’s something about him. Freaking serpent. So, I love where he’s at right now. I really do; I’m glad we got him.” D.J. Chark had one of the better weeks of practice for the Lions this past week. Kyle Meinke of Mlive.com noted it was “Chark Week” with multiple days of big catches. Chark had two touchdowns and four catches working with the first team in Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage. The timeline for first-round wide receiver Jameson Williams is a question at this point in the season. According to The Athletic, “The Lions haven’t said anything publicly about when they believe Williams will be ready to play this year, and they probably won’t.” Quintez Cephus fell in practice with what looked like a leg injury but avoided anything serious and should be returning to practice. Cephus will fight for a roster spot behind Jameson Williams, Amon-Ra St. Brown, D.J. Chark, and Josh Reynolds.
Tight Ends
T.J. Hockenson is a favorite of Goff’s so far in camp as he was in last year’s training camp. Hockenson was banged up in practice and received a practice day off during the week. Rookie James Mitchell tore his ACL 11 months ago, but he is already practicing. His work was limited, but began to pick up his practice volume later. His usage and involvement in preseason games will be telling. Dan Campbell noted Brock Wright and Garrett Griffin are battling for the blocking role.
Kickers
Austin Seibert is ahead in the kicker battle with Riley Patterson after the first week-and-a-half of camp. Seibert is more consistent, rarely missing a kick and even making one off the crossbar from 62 yards at the team Family Fest practice on August 6. Patterson was well short from the same distance.
Defense
Head coach Dan Campbell was encouraged by first-round pick Aidan Hutchinson’s progression during training camp. Campbell said, “To watch him just continue to work and go through it, I’m telling you every day he just gets a little bit better, and that’s all you care about is that you just see a little bit of improvement every day.” Jeff Okudah and Will Harris will get the first opportunity at the perimeter corners heading into the first preseason game. According to Nick Baumardener of the Athletic, “Okudah and Harris are going to get a chance to make a splash next week, and the staff will have the microscope on both, to be sure.” Romeo Okwara is working his way back from a torn Achilles last summer. Okwara said, “I never really faced a challenge like this. So, I think mentally just getting over that hurdle, coming back from an injury like this, it teaches you a lot about yourself.”
