Detroit — Here’s a look at who is trending up and who is trending down coming out of the Detroit Lions’ preseason loss to the Buffalo Bills on Friday night.
► Stock up: Running back Craig Reynolds
Even if Reynolds had been on the roster since March, his six-carry, 49-yard performance would have been a highlight. But when you consider he signed with the Lions the day before the preseason opener and was introducing himself to many of his teammates and coaches during the game, you can’t help but be impressed.
Reynolds, who has bounced around a few spots since going undrafted out of Division II Kutztown a couple years back, made the most of his abrupt opportunity. His biggest play was a 24-yard touchdown run on an outside zone where he read his blocks and went untouched until diving for the pylon to finish the play.
An emergency option to help with Detroit’s injury-riddled backfield depth chart, he’s earned a longer look.
► Stock down: Wide receiver Victor Bolden
One of the standouts from the early stages of the team’s offseason program, Bolden got off to a shaky start when he allowed two passes that hit him in the hands to reach the ground, including a third-down ball that would have extended a first-half drive.
Bolden’s woes continued in the second half, when he muffed a punt. It would have been a bigger mistake had teammate Ifeatu Melifonwu not managed to jump on the loose ball.
► Treading water: Offensive tackle Penei Sewell
Welcome to the NFL, kid. Few doubt Sewell is going to be an excellent player in this league for a long time, but Detroit’s first-round draft pick got a rude awakening on his first preseason series, allowing a third-down sack to fellow first-rounder Greg Rousseau.
Sewell’s technique was shaky on the snap as he was too upright in his stance and allowed Rousseau to get his hands into his chest. That’s all it took to put Sewell on skates, before the defensive lineman shed the block and dropped quarterback Jared Goff.
Sewell rebounded and was much better during Detroit’s 18-play scoring drive, but the sack is the moment that will stick and merits immediate correction.
► Stock up: Defensive tackles Kevin Strong and Bruce Hector
Down Michael Brockers, John Penisini and Da’Shawn Hand for the contest, backups Strong and Hector made the most of their opportunities.
Strong, who played his way onto the roster as an undrafted rookie in 2019, made several plays, including a tackle for a loss, a third-down stop where he shed a double team and a forced fumble on a run stop. He finished with a team-high six tackles, making an early case for a job, once again.
As for Hector, he joined the Lions in late July after being claimed off waivers. He was physical at the point of attack against the Bills, netting four tackles and a sack on third down.
► Stock down: Linebacker Jahlani Tavai
It wasn’t a banner evening for the former second-rounder who entered the game firmly on the roster bubble. He rightfully earned praise for meeting the coaching staff’s challenge to drop significant weight this offseason, but what good is the added speed that comes with it if you aren’t in position to make a play.
Tavai got stiff-armed on a third-down run play that led to the Bills extending an early scoring drive, then failed to pick up running back Devin Singletary coming out of the backfield, resulting in Buffalo’s lone touchdown.
► Treading water: Linebacker Julian Okwara
Okwara played a ton, likely leading the defense in snaps. There were some high points, to be sure, particularly with the pressure he put on the passer in the fourth quarter. But you have to consider the blockers he was facing in those moments. Obviously you can only beat the guy in front of you, but Okwara was less of a factor early in the game against better competition. He also struggled to defend the run, appearing overmatched on the edge on multiple plays.
Regardless, finishing strong can be a building block for his confidence and is worthy of seeing how he builds on the night as the preseason progresses.
► Stock up: Linebacker Derrick Barnes
Barnes played sparingly. The coaches exhibited caution as the fourth-round draft pick continues to work his way back from a hamstring strain that has nagged him much of the offseason. But, in those limited moments, he was disruptive.
During a second-quarter series, he showed his sideline-to-sideline explosiveness, quickly reacting to a short throw by coming forward and making the open-field stop after a short gain. Two plays later, the Lions sent Barnes on a blitz and he had no issues finding his way to the quarterback, forcing a rushed throw and incompletion.
► Stock down: Offensive tackle Darrin Paulo
Backup offensive line play is always an adventure in the preseason, but Paulo had the roughest night from the second unit, allowing multiple pressures on the quarterback. Backup Tim Boyle is going to be hurting tomorrow thanks to Paulo letting edge rusher Efe Obada through. He got a big hit on the quarterback that netted a flag for roughing.
► Stock up: Wide receiver Tom Kennedy
The former lacrosse standout quietly makes play after play on the practice field and he was able to port some of that success against the Bills. Kennedy finished with four grabs for 46 yards on six targets, including a 29-yarder late in the fourth quarter that set up a go-ahead field goal for the Lions.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Justin_Rogers