Growth is the name of the game for the Lions in these preseason games. There were plenty of positives for Detroit, but also points of improvement as the regular season fast approaches. Let us examine some takeaways from this preseason win.
X doesn’t mark the spot at wide receiver
The Lions have been on a quest throughout training camp to find capable pass catchers to complement with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Kalif Raymond. Specifically, they are looking for an X receiver to fill the void left by Josh Reynolds. Yet through two preseason games and multiple practices, the name standing out the most as a pass catcher is Sione Vaki.
The safety-turned-running back has looked like a natural, parlaying a great debut against the New York Giants into dominance against the Chiefs. Vaki finished the game with 60 receiving yards on four receptions. He singlehanded carried the Lions’ final drive of the first half to boot. It remains to be seen what his role on offense will be with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery ahead of him, but he is proving himself to be a weapon.
Isaiah Williams had a fantastic outing to the tune of six catches for 71 yards. He had an up-and-down day on special teams, fumbling one punt return before turning in a great return late in the fourth quarter to set up a game-winning kick attempt. Unfortunately, Williams is not a fit for the X spot and will likely be limited to the slot. The Lions have two slot options ahead of him on the depth chart (St. Brown and Raymond), so can they justify keeping a third slot receiver when they have so few options outside?
The outside receivers have done little to separate themselves. Kaden Davis had the play of the game on a 61-yard catch-and-run, but it was a masterclass of bad preseason defense; he was otherwise quiet on the day. Donovan Peoples-Jones had a great block to spring Davis on his jaunt downfield, but he struggled with separation throughout the game, even against backups. Daurice Fountain continues to be invisible after shining in training camp.
Vaki is shining as a receiver, but he is likely limited to catches out of the backfield. I think Williams is worth having on the roster, but since he is not an outside receiver, the rest of the depth chart would need to be reshuffled for him to see the field. At this rate, the Lions might have to replace Reynolds with a completely new role.
Hooker should be the unquestioned QB2
It was an improvement for Nate Sudfeld against the Chiefs, but as a whole, the offense looks completely different when he is under center versus Hendon Hooker. In the first half, Sudfeld often relied on check downs, letting players like Vaki do the legwork. He had a nice pass to Davis that he took 61 yards to the house, though followed up that drive with an ill-advised interception.
Hooker entered in the second half and, after shaking off two incompletions, looked sharp for most of the game. Hooker finished with an accurate 12-of-15 for 150 yards, also recording a rushing touchdown. He still has his growing pains, including a sack on a two-point attempt, but he looks far more electric leading the backup offense than Sudfeld. He did have a fumbled exchange late in the fourth quarter, though the snap itself was not ideal.
In the unfortunate event that Jared Goff gets hurt, it should be Hooker stepping in. Even with his lack of experience, the offense feels more alive with him at quarterback. Best of all, he actually did a quarterback slide!
Another solid showing for the backup secondary
The Chiefs started most of their first-string offense against the Lions, yet despite some chunk plays and trickery from Patrick Mahomes and company, it only amounted to two field goals. The Chiefs would score a touchdown with Carson Wentz under center, but it also came on a short field due to a fumbled kickoff by Jalon Calhoun.
The combination of Amik Roberton, Kindle Vildor, and Khalil Dorsey were faring well against the Chiefs receivers, especially once Mahomes exited the game—Wentz finished the day with just 31 passing yards. Brandon Joseph also had another excellent game, finishing with five tackles and a forced fumble (that was sadly recovered by the Chiefs).
The Jake Bates roller coaster continues
Jake Bates remains the unchallenged kicker on the Lions roster, and that will likely remain unchanged going forward. It was not an outing without drama, however. Bates finished a perfect four-for-four on field goal attempts, starting off with a 55-yarder and capping the day with a 43-yard game-winning kick. However, he missed one of his easiest kicks of the day, going wide left on an extra point attempt.
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