3 Key Matchups to Watch during Giants-Lions Joint Practices
The Lions are set to square off with the N.Y. Giants in a pair of joint practices this week. It all starts off on Tuesday from Detroit's Allen Park practice facility, and it'll lead into the teams' exhibition opener Friday evening at Ford Field (7 p.m. EST).
The week will bring a variety of interesting one-on-one battles between the two squads, with the players from each side getting in some vital work before the kickoff of the regular season.
Without further ado, here are three key matchups to watch during the Lions' joint practices with the Giants this week.
LB Jack Campbell/DT Brodric Martin vs. RB Saquon Barkley
Campbell and Martin will test their run-stopping prowess this week against two-time Pro Bowler Saquon Barkley. It'll be a big-time test for the rookie duo, which will be participating in its first career set of joint practices.
Through the first two weeks of training camp, Campbell and Martin have each received a solid amount of playing time. Campbell has earned first-team reps at linebacker alongside Alex Anzalone, while Martin has worked his way into the Lions' rotation of interior defensive linemen.
They've both seen nothing like Barkley so far in their NFL careers. Barkley has rushed for north of 1,000 yards three times in five NFL seasons, and amassed a career-best 1,312 yards on the ground in 2022. He should be a handful to handle for Campbell and Martin Tuesday and Wednesday in Allen Park.
LT Taylor Decker vs. EDGE Kayvon Thibodeaux
Decker has become one of the best blind-side protectors. Yet, there's no denying the fact that he'll be in for a battle against Thibodeaux. According to reports, the second-year pro has engaged in some very competitive one-on-one reps with standout left tackle Andrew Thomas in Giants training camp.
Thibodeaux, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, recorded a total of four sacks and 13 quarterback hits as a rookie. He's expected to take the next step in his career development this upcoming season. It'll be interesting to observe how his pass-rushing moves look this week against Decker.
WR Jameson Williams vs. CB Deonte Banks
Williams hasn't had the smoothest start to his NFL career. The second-year pro missed a significant portion of his rookie season recovering from a torn ACL, and then was disciplined by the league office this past offseason for violating the NFL's anti-gambling policy. Specifically, he's been suspended for the first six games of the 2023 campaign.
It's why it's of utmost importance for the Alabama product to gain as many reps as possible during training camp this summer. Williams has already missed multiple days of practice through the first two weeks of camp, but should be available for Detroit's joint sessions with New York Tuesday and Wednesday.
He's likely to receive an ample amount of playing time, and should be in store for an interesting battle with Giants first-year cornerback Deonte Banks.
Banks, who has experienced his fair share of ups and downs through his first training camp, should be the recipient of a healthy dose of reps against Williams. From all accounts, fellow rookie Tre Hawkins III, a sixth-round pick of the Giants this past April, should also get the chance to line up against the Lions' second-year receiver Tuesday and Wednesday.
I expect the matchup between Williams and the aforementioned pair of first-year corners to be highly competitive, and I believe it'll be one of the best battles in Allen Park this week.
