Two preseason games are in the books for the Detroit Lions, and we are still left with many questions for the fast-approaching regular season.
We often enter training camp with rough ideas of how the roster battles will play out, but nothing is set in stone until the inevitable cutdown day arrives. Until then, plenty of these players are fighting for their roster spot—and their professional career. Every season, many players rise to the occasion and earn themselves a place on the 53-man roster. On the other end of the spectrum, many players falter their way off the roster entirely.
With limited time remaining to assess the roster, which players have stood out in camp and preseason?
Today’s Question of the Day is:
Which Lions players have impressed or disappointed you the most so far?
My answers: Brandon Joseph for most impressive and Donovan Peoples-Jones for most disappointing.
The Lions have had many strong preseason and training camp performances thus far, including Kyle Peko (who has been rested for each preseason game), Isaiah Williams (who is making it tough for the Lions to cut), and Parker Hesse (who has gone from a camp body into a strong candidate to make the team as a fullback and depth tight end). However, the most surprising player to me has been safety Brandon Joseph.
Back in my post-draft 53-man roster prediction, I had Joseph as my fourth safety on the roster, though this was prior to the signing of C.J. Moore. I was not confident in this selection, and it seemed likely that the Lions would bring in a capable veteran to bolster the group. Instead, it has been Joseph standing out and justifying the coaching staff’s faith. With Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch not playing against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second preseason, it was him and Ifeatu Melifonwu as the first safeties out on the field. Joseph may have been victimized by a Patrick Mahomes trick play, but he rebounded by forcing a fumble later in the drive—though it bounced into the arms of the Chiefs. Joseph has been making plays on defense throughout camp, and in the event of an injury, I am feeling more and more confident with him as a replacement.
I am not feeling confident, on the other hand, in Donovan Peoples-Jones. I will try not to beat a dead horse by discussing the failures for an outside receiver to emerge as a WR3 or WR4 candidate, but of all the candidates, the inability of Peoples-Jones to secure an easy roster spot is most disappointing. Unlike Daurice Fountain or Kaden Davis, he has a respectable track record in the NFL (1,895 career receiving yards). Unlike Isaiah Williams, he has the size that the Lions are looking for to replace Josh Reynolds.
When the Lions failed to sign a capable receiver in free agency or select one in the 2024 NFL Draft, it seemed like Peoples-Jones was guaranteed a roster spot. Sure, he totaled just 58 receiving yards with the Lions last season, but it was likely a trial period—they clearly liked him enough to re-sign to a deal worth upwards of $2 million.
Yet through two preseason games and multiple practices, the only consensus surrounding Peoples-Jones is that he has not done enough. He is struggling to separate, both against his opponents and against his fellow receiver competition. Peoples-Jones was on Jeremy and Erik’s recent 53-man roster prediction solely because nobody else has stood out at outside receiver with the tie going to the veteran.
Which Lions players have caught your eye so far in preseason, for better or for worst? Let us know in the comments below.
