Key Detroit Lions players to watch versus the Falcons in the preseason matchup

USA Today

5 days ago

The first week of the NFL preseason slate for 2025 is here. For the Detroit Lions, it's technically the second week; Detroit played the bonus exhibition at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in what the NFL terms "Week 0" of the preseason.
That extra exhibition did not go well for the Lions, who got trounced by the Los Angeles Chargers 34-7 thanks to five giveaways, including a lost fumble on the opening kickoff. With almost no players who will appear in any regular-season game (barring another rash of injuries like last year) playing, the Lions were sloppily discombobulated and outplayed by the Chargers.
Now the depth players on the Lions, and those aspiring to stick in Detroit beyond the roster cutdowns (be it 53-man roster or practice squad) get another chance to show what they can do. This week, it's against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night. It's a big opportunity for several players to either erase the slate from a poor debut week or build off a strong showing in Canton.
Some of the players I'll be focusing on against the Falcons:
Hendon Hooker
Hooker didn't have a good night against the Chargers. Yet the third-year QB has played (mostly) much better this summer than a year ago.
This time around, Hooker will start and play with the higher-level players on Detroit's depth, as opposed to the bottom of the roster a week ago. This is a big opportunity for Hooker to show improvement in a game situation, something he could not pull off in the Hall of Fame game. Getting the ball out on time and on target is key for Hooker.
Giovanni Manu
Manu had the opposite experience of Hooker last week. After struggling to string together good reps in practices while playing offensive tackle, Manu performed reasonably well against the Chargers. Alas, he followed that up with perhaps his worst practice of the summer
The giant Manu is still learning football in his second season. With the knowledge that he's a developmental project, being able to show competence in a second straight game would be a nice boost for Manu's confidence. He figures to get considerable action at left tackle with Dan Skipper and Jamarco Jones both hobbled and Taylor Decker not expected to play.
Kayode Awosika
The big offensive lineman has been around Detroit for a few seasons, and Awosika keeps surviving as a reserve who can play guard or tackle. After starting camp slowly, Awosika has brought more intensity and physicality in the last few practices. With his roster spot far from certain, Awosika can certainly help his chances with a strong performance in Atlanta.
Sione Vaki
The second-year running back needs as many reps as he can handle as he continues to transform from a collegiate safety. The acceleration and toughness have impressed, and so have Vaki's hands. Pass protection and showing both vision and the ability to read blocks are areas to watch with Vaki, who is an integral core special teams player already. Keep an eye on whether Vaki gets a shot at returning a kickoff or punt, too.
Zach Horton
The Lions No. 3 tight end remains one of the most unsettled roster spots. Horton, an undrafted rookie from Indiana, has forced his way into the competition thanks to his sure hands. He's also got an ace up his sleeve; Horton is the only tight end who has taken fullback reps in practices, as well as in the Hall of Fame game. It's a small role in Detroit's offense, but it's Horton's best chance to stick around the Lions in 2025. Take note if Kenny Yeboah or Shane Zylstra get any looks at fullback, which probably isn't good news for Horton.
Malik Taylor and Ronnie Bell
The two newcomers at wide receiver who aren't rookies, Taylor and Bell are not likely to make the Lions roster. However, they could very well be competing for the same practice squad spot. With rookie Dominic Lovett out, it's an opportunity for the big-framed Taylor and the shiftier Bell, who had his best practice in a Lions uniform on Monday night.
Brodric Martin
It's time for Martin to show he deserves to stick around long enough for the joint practices with the Dolphins next week. A 2023 third-round pick, Martin has sunk to the bottom of the Lions depth chart at defensive tackle. He sorely needs some positive reps to build off, notably in anchoring against the run but also at getting off the snap quickly.
Trevor Nowaske
Nowaske is looking to make amends for a subpar performance against the Chargers, where the linebacker struggled with his eye discipline and pursuit angles. No. 53 faces serious competition in a crowded LB room, and Nowaske needs to show he can be relied upon in space. The pass rushing has been strong all summer, but it's the rest of his game that Nowaske must prove in Atlanta.
Anthony Pittman
Copy and paste the first two sentences about Nowaske at linebacker, but take away the pass rush successes in camp and that's where Pittman currently sits. Pittman has lasted in Detroit since 2019 for his special teams ability, but coordinator Dave Fipp has too many potential young replacements on kick and punt units to keep Pittman around if No. 41 can't play defense better than he did against the Chargers.
Erick Hallett
Hallett has had a very good camp, and part of what to watch for with No. 36 is, where is he playing? A safety by trade, the second-year DB has seen first-team reps in both the nickel/slot and outside cornerback at various points this summer. Hallett is fighting to remain as vet Avonte Maddox's primary understudy, if not more. A big play or two in Atlanta would be a boost for Hallett's chances to seize a spot on the 53-man roster.
Ian Kennelly
The undrafted rookie safety from Grand Valley State had the hit of the game last week, and No. 27 has definitely had his moments in camp. With third-team running mate Dan Jackson on I.R., Kennelly should get more chances to show his instincts and playmaking ability in coverage. Special teams will be critical, but so will his run defense--an area where Kennelly seemingly lags behind Loren Strickland and Mo Norris in the safety depth chase.