Isaac TeSlaa and other Detroit Lions to watch in Saturday's preseason game vs. Dolphins

New York Times

21 hours ago

Joint practices are for the starters. Preseason games are for the hopefuls.
The Detroit Lions' first-team units got some good work in this week, taking on the Miami Dolphins in joint practice. The offense found its rhythm, the defense carried over its intensity and Dan Campbell had to have been satisfied with the two-day period. Now, these teams put a bow on the week with a preseason game consisting of players looking to carve out a role, make a name for themselves or dig themselves out of a hole.
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Here are some players to keep an eye on:
The pressure is on Hooker. Following his second fumble during last Friday's preseason game vs. the Falcons, Hooker, who was supposed to play the entire first half, was benched in favor of Kyle Allen before the end of the second quarter. Campbell confirmed the following week that the move was a product of Hooker's fumbles. And while it wasn't a bad performance when you exclude the fumbles — Hooker completed 7-of-10 passes for 38 yards and had two drops — it wasn't necessarily inspiring, either.
Making matters more complicated is how well Allen played in place of Hooker. The offense was far more efficient with him in the game and has been in both preseason contests. The Lions tend to alternate starting quarterbacks, so it's likely that Allen will get the start vs. the Dolphins. That means Hooker needs to show some promise in the second half. It's been a rough stretch for a player who previously looked like he had turned a corner.
Vaki has had a difficult training camp, but only because he's been in and out of practice. He's dealt with a lingering hamstring injury that managed to sideline him for Detroit's first two preseason games. It's unfortunate, because when Vaki practices, he looks great. I watched the offense during Thursday's joint practice vs. the Dolphins, and Vaki scored a pair of red-zone touchdowns and showed great vision running between the tackles. He made it known every time he scored, screaming to the skies. It's time for Vaki to show what he can do in a game setting, and time for Lions fans to see him for themselves.
The more you watch TeSlaa, the more you wonder how much longer he's going to play in these preseason games. Yes, he needs the reps — since he isn't getting many with the first-team offense right now. He's far from a finished product. But man, he's starting to feel increasingly important as time goes on. When the Lions line up for QB-WR throws in warm-ups, you see TeSlaa catching passes exclusively from Jared Goff. Most of Detroit's top weapons only catch passes from Goff during this period. It is perhaps a sign of what's to come. Not to mention, TeSlaa has impressed in both preseason contests — hauling in his first touchdown vs. the Falcons. As long as he's out there, he's must-see TV if you're a Lions fan.
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Lovett has lost some of the momentum he gained early in training camp, after missing about 10 days with an abdominal injury. When he returned to practice Thursday, he failed to tightly secure a pass during a team period vs. the Dolphins and fumbled. Campbell was spotted lecturing his young receiver after the play, with several teammates patting him on the helmet. To make this roster — even as a draft pick — you have to limit mistakes and mental errors. Lovett shows good short-area quickness and an ability to cut on a dime, but he's had some drops, isn't a big, physical receiver and his game is a bit redundant with Kalif Raymond on the roster. If he can find a rhythm again, he still has a chance to be the sixth receiver — should the Lions choose to carry that many.
That said, Ronnie Bell and Jackson Meeks have taken advantage of his absence. Meeks did damage vs. the Falcons, catching three passes for 78 yards and a touchdown from Allen. Bell, the former Michigan Wolverine, has earned more and more opportunities in training camp, particularly during Wednesday's practice vs. the Dolphins. With Tim Patrick limited, Bell earned some first-team looks and some love from his head coach.
'He's pretty steady,' Campbell said of Bell. 'He is a pretty smart guy, and because of that, he mentally knows the positions. And we got down there — we had lost a few guys — and so we needed him. And I thought he stepped in there and knew what to do. So, look, he puts the work in. You see his blocking, he'll block on the perimeter, and he's another guy that's kind of a crafty receiver. So, he's been pretty dependable for us in the preseason here and training camp.'
We haven't really discussed Martin much this training camp. He looks like he's slimmed down a bit and is moving a bit better. It's Year 3, so you have to think he's picked up a thing or two by now. However, he hasn't worked himself into any first-team reps and his time with the second unit has been limited as well. I thought he flashed at times vs. the Falcons, but flashes aren't enough for him at this stage. If he's going to make a push, it feels like now or never. He's got two more preseason games to change the narrative before roster cuts. That said, it certainly feels like he's on the outside looking in.
One of the more intriguing names defensively when the Lions began training camp was edge rusher Nate Lynn. It's easy to forget about him. He was showing flashes in training camp a year ago as a rookie UDFA, before a season-ending injury killed his momentum. But Lynn is back now, and he's picked up right where he left off. Among the 37 edge rushers with at least 20 pass-rush snaps this preseason, Lynn ranks second with a pass-rush win rate of 29.9 percent. He's also tied for first among all edge rushers in pressures with seven. Lynn has been excellent in the chances he's been given in these preseason games, and has been one of the best defenders on the second-team defensive line in practice. If the season started tomorrow, I'd personally have him on the roster.
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Detroit's cornerback depth is still solid, but the loss of Ennis Rakestraw Jr. for the season stings. He was a promising young player who would've been the first man off the bench at outside corner or nickel in the event of an injury. It feels like they've got a solid five roster locks in Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, Amik Robertson, one of Avonte Maddox or Rock Ya-Sin (who's been playing more safety of late) and Khalil Dorsey. If the Lions want a sixth corner, one player who's been helping his case is Nick Whiteside.
A Saginaw Valley State product and Auburn Hills, Mich. native, Whiteside has been spotted with the first-team defense on occasion when Arnold was nursing a hamstring injury. He had a strong performance against the Falcons and a rock-solid week of practice against the Dolphins. It'll ultimately come down to numbers, but Whiteside is making a push at a position that's down some bodies.
The Lions have an opening for a fourth safety, and right now, the names to keep an eye out for are Kennelly and Loren Strickland. Strickland made the roster as a UDFA a year ago, mostly because of his special teams contributions. However, there's more competition this year. Kennelly, a Grand Valley State product, is the better athlete — recording a 9.14 relative athletic score. He hits hard, he's a physical tackler and he shows very good instincts at safety. Feels like he's the upside play in this battle.
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