5 Lessons Learned from Lions' Preseason
The preseason has mercifully come and gone for the Detroit Lions. And now, it's on to roster cutdown day for the Lions and the rest of the NFL's 30 franchises Tuesday.
Let's not jump ahead to Tuesday quite yet, though. Instead, let's take a look at the five major lessons All Lions learned about Detroit through its three exhibition contests.
Nate Sudfeld was not the guy
Sudfeld, the Lions' backup quarterback last season, proved this preseason that the Lions couldn't afford to enter this upcoming season with him as their backup under center once again.
He struggled all throughout the exhibition season, and crumbled far too often under pressure.
He ended up throwing three interceptions and just one touchdown pass in three preseason games. Additionally, he left Friday's exhibition tilt with the Panthers prematurely with an apparent left knee injury. It was far from an optimal end to Sudfeld's preseason, and likely spells the end of his time in Motown.
Lions have solid depth at defensive back
No C.J Gardner-Johnson, Cam Sutton or Emmanuel Moseley. No problem.
Detroit's reserve defensive backs showed up in a big way throughout the preseason, producing an ample amount of quality reps.
The team's group of second-and-third-stringers constantly came up with big plays, including on Friday night. Most notably, undrafted free agent Steven Gilmore and second-year pro Chase Lucas each recorded timely interceptions against the Panthers. Meanwhile, Gilmore also came up with four passes defensed and five total tackles, while Lucas wasn't too far behind with three passes defensed and four total stops.
Fellow backup defensive backs Starling Thomas V, Brandon Joseph and Brady Breeze were also fairly productive – and on a consistent basis – throughout the exhibition season.
It should lead to some difficult decisions for Brad Holmes and the Lions' front office, with roster cuts coming this Tuesday (August 29).
Jack Campbell and Brian Branch are ready to play meaningful reps
The rookie duo more than proved itself this preseason. Campbell and Branch each put together impressive game film, and more than likely earned significant playing time in Aaron Glenn's defense.
Campbell was around the ball all training camp and preseason long, and emerged as a solid run-stuffing presence as the summer progressed. Meanwhile, Branch exerted some much-needed energy and physicality from the nickel corner position, and produced some violent hits throughout the exhibition season.
At this present juncture, I'd put my money – Monopoly money, that is – on both Campbell and Branch being Week 1 starters.
© Junfu Han/Detroit Free Press / USA TODAY NETWORK
Jameson Williams still needs time to develop
The second-year pro proved this summer that he's far from a finished product.
To start off training camp, Dan Campbell and the Lions' coaching staff tried to load the Alabama product with reps.in fact, he was the recipient of seven targets in Detroit's preseason opener vs. the Giants. However, he hauled in just two of those passes, and failed to impress.
Then, the following week, he injured his hamstring in a joint practice with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Overall wise, Williams, in his first training camp as a healthy participant, showcased that he still needs to refine his route-running ability and work on getting better at catching the football consistently. Until he does those two things, he'll be unable to live up to the expectations of being the No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Lions could be in rough spot without starting offensive linemen
Detroit opted to sit its starting five up front all preseason long, and subsequently, provided its backup linemen with an ample opportunity to prove their worth.
Unfortunately, the team's reserve linemen – namely Matt Nelson, Bobby Hart, Brad Cecil, Colby Sorsdal and Germain Ifedi – struggled for most of the exhibition season, especially in pass protection. Just a week ago against the Jaguars, Teddy Bridgewater and Sudfeld were constantly under duress, and succumbed to one sack each.
The O-line did bounce back with a better performance Friday, and kept Bridgewater clean throughout the entirety of the first half.
In the team's preseason finale with the Panthers, the line also paved the way for a strong day on the ground from both Craig Reynolds (3.7 yards a carry) and Benny Snell (5.2 yards per rush). Additionally, it provided a solid push on Reynolds' touchdown run in the first half.
Of the linemen mentioned above, Nelson, Ifedi and Sorsdal have the best chance of cracking the Lions' season-opening roster. Each of them experienced their fair share of struggles this preseason, yet could still be quality depth pieces during the 2023 campaign.
After watching the subpar play of the line this preseason, Campbell & Co. have to feel even more lucky to be equipped with Graham Glasgow.
Glasgow, a free-agent acquisition of the Lions this past offseason, could be the organization's starting right guard come Week 1. Additionally, he has the ability to play both guard spots and center. Consequently, he provides Detroit with a great insurance policy along the interior of the offensive line.
Despite the presence of Glasgow, though, the Lions' offensive line could be in very rough shape – and quickly – if any of the starting linemen are forced to miss time.
