by Preseason snap counts can be a good indicator of where players currently stand on the depth chart. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the Detroit Lions’ snap distribution for their preseason opener against the New York Giants.
Did not play:
QB Jared Goff
RB David Montgomery
RB Jahmyr Gibbs
WR Amon-Ra St. Brown
WR Jameson Williams
WR Kalif Raymond
TE Sam LaPorta
TE Brock Wright
OT Taylor Decker
OT Penei Sewell
G Graham Glasgow
G Kevin Zeitler
G Christian Mahogany (illness)
C Frank Ragnow
EDGE Aidan Hutchinson
EDGE Josh Paschal
EDGE Marcus Davenport
EDGE John Cominsky (injured)
DL Levi Onwuzurike
DT DJ Reader (injured)
DT Alim McNeill
DT Kyle Peko
LB Alex Anzalone
LB Jack Campbell
LB Derrick Barnes
LB Malcolm Rodriguez
CB Carlton Davis
CB Emmanuel Moseley (injured)
DB Brian Branch
S Ifeatu Melifonwu
S Kerby Joseph
Offense
Quarterbacks
Nate Sudfeld: 50 (71% of snaps)
Hendon Hooker: 20 (29%)
It was clear that Sudfeld would play the first half and Hooker the second. However, after Hooker suffered a concussion in the third quarter, it was Sudfeld who led the team the rest of the way.
The running backs
Zonovan Knight: 20 (29%) — 4 special teams shots (18%)
Jake Funk: 15 (21%) — 5 (23%)
Sione Vaki: 13 (19%) — 13 (59%)
Jermar Jefferson: 13 (19%) — 7 (32%)
Craig Reynolds: 9 (13%) — 7 (32%)
The order of appearance for Thursday’s game was: Reynolds > Jefferson > Vaki > Knight > Funk. It’s certainly notable that Jefferson saw the game before Vaki, as coach Dan Campbell has been outspoken about how well Jefferson is playing right now.
That said, Vaki’s spot isn’t in jeopardy, and that was made clear by his efficiency on the ground (four carries, 29 yards) and the 13 special teams snaps he played.
Tight ends
Sean McKeon: 31 (44%) — 6 (27%)
Shane Zylstra: 24 (34%) — 5 (23%)
James Mitchell: 20 (29%) — 3 (14%)
Parker Hesse: 18 (26%) — 10 (45%)
A couple of things stand out to me here. It starts with Parker Hesse. He’s already gotten a lot of praise from Campbell this training camp, but he was also on the field early against the Giants. On top of that, he played the most special teams plays of any tight end in the game, another sign of his good reputation on the team.
Meanwhile, James Mitchell had limited appearances in the game and played the fewest times on special teams. Mitchell, Zylstra and Hesse all had one catch on their lone targets, which is a positive for the team.
Wide Receivers
Fontaine Daurice: 27 (39%) — 4 (18%)
Isaiah Williams: 24 (34%) — 5 (23%)
Donovan Peoples-Jones: 23 (33%) — 1 (5%)
Tom Kennedy: 23 (33%)
Antoine Green: 22 (31%)
Maurice Alexandre: 21 (30%) — 5 (23%)
Kaden Davis: 18 (26%) — 6 (27%)
Jalon Calhoun 15 (21%) — 2 (9%)
Tre’Quan Smith: 14 (20%)
It was a pretty disappointing day for the Lions’ WR3 battle, as Fountain, Peoples-Jones and Green combined for four receptions for 39 yards. Fountain was held out, despite playing the most and seeing three targets. Peoples-Jones didn’t enter the game until the second half and barely played on special teams. Green had the most receptions of the group (three), but left with a concussion.
Elsewhere, Isaiah Williams had the best day of the group, contributing on offense and special teams. He even got a postgame cheer from Dan Campbell. On the other end of the spectrum, Maurice Alexander had just one reception for 6 yards and fumbled the game’s first punt.
Offensive Tackles
Connor Galvin: 51 (73%) — 1 (5%)
Colby Sorsdal: 45 (64%)
Giovanni Manu: 35 (50%)
Dan Skipper: 9 (13%) — 1 (5%)
Although he recently moved inside to help Detroit’s injured interior offensive line, Colby Sorsdal played all 45 snaps at right tackle, gaining valuable experience at what is likely his permanent position.
Connor Galvin alternated between left tackle and right tackle, but a knee injury sidelined him late in the game, and it appeared it could be a serious injury.
Giovanni Manu finished the game at left tackle and had a tough game.
Guards/Centers
Jake Burton: 35 (50%) — 1 (5%)
Kayode Awosika: 35 (50%) — 1 (5%)
Bryan Hudson: 35 (50%)
Kingsley Eguakun: 35 (50%)
Duke Clemens: 30 (43%)
Ike Boettger: 22 (31%)
Michael Niese: 18 (26%)
The Lions gave undrafted rookies a chance at center after Michael Niese served as the primary backup in camp — Niese had a small role Tuesday at right guard. It was Eguakun who got the start and played all of his snaps at center. The Florida rookie has earned praise from Campbell in the past, and could be in the running for a spot on the main practice squad — or maybe even a run on the 53-man roster.
Hudson served as center for the remainder of the game, while Clemens moved to left guard.
It was good to see Awosika healthy enough for half a game (playing both left and right side) after missing a few training camp practices last week.
Defense
EDGE:
Isaac Ukwu: 40 (69%) — 5 (23%)
Pat O’Connor: 26 (45%)
Mitchell Agude: 25 (43%)
Nate Lynn: 22 (38%) — 1 (5%)
James Houston: 22 (38%)
Matthew Betts: 7 (12%) — 7 (32%)
Not only did Ukwu get the most playing time of this group (and a solid job on special teams), he received one of Campbell’s biggest compliments after the game.
“Ukwu has kind of caught our attention, and I feel like that’s been the case since the end of last week,” Campbell said. “We’re starting to think, ‘Man, he’s got a little pass rush.’ It seems like every day he’s doing something on a couple of plays that are pretty important.”
He is trying to fit into the roster.
James Houston started the game and had an up-and-down time. Campbell said after the game that he had a bone bruise.
Most telling of all these snaps is the fact that Betts only played seven snaps. The Lions took the SAM linebacker duties away from him completely, and his overall workload dropped significantly.
DT:
Chris Smith: 34 years old (59%)
Brodric Martin: 33 (57%) — 2 (9%)
Mekhi Wingo: 31 (53%) — 2 (9%)
David Bada: 11 (19%) — 2 (9%)
It’s at least somewhat notable that Kyle Peko isn’t part of this group, as the 31-year-old veteran had an off night. Peko has played regularly as a first-team nose tackle, but the Lions also know what they have in Peko.
So they spent the night giving second-year defensive end Brodric Martin as many reps as possible, and it was a promising performance overall. He finished with four tackles and two passes defended.
Mekhi Wingo also received a thank-you message from Campbell after the game, but he was also the main culprit behind the Giants’ 48-yard touchdown.
Linebackers
DaRon Gilbert: 40 (69%) — 12 (55%)
Ben Niemann: 32 (55%) — 9 (41%)
Malik Jefferson: 26 (45%) — 13 (59%)
Jalen Reeves-Maybin: 13 (22%)
Hogan Hatten: 5 (9%) — 6 (27%)
With the top four linebackers in contention Thursday, it was a great opportunity for Detroit players to make their mark on the roster. Niemann was the starting linebacker at MIKE, while Gilbert got the most playing time.
But it was Jefferson, after a four-tackle night, who earned Campbell’s praise after the game.
“I think Malik made some plays at linebacker,” Campbell said.
It’s also worth noting that all of the linebackers (except Jalen Reeves-Maybin) have played a fair amount of special teams. Detroit could value the linebackers on their special teams unit, which could mean they’d be willing to keep a sixth outside of their top five.
Cornerbacks
Ennis Rakestraw: 37 (64%) — 11 (50%)
Khalil Dorsey: 27 years old (47%)
Kindle Vildor: 26 (45%) — 10 (45%)
Loren Strickland: 26 (45%) — 10 (45%)
Steven Gilmore: 18 (31%) — 9 (41%)
Amik Robertson: 18 (31%) — 2 (9%)
Terrion Arnold: 13 (22%)
Detroit’s starters were Ennis Rakestraw and Terrion Arnold on the outside. When Arnold left after four drives, Dorsey stepped in next to him. As for the nickel spot, it was split between Robertson (starter), Strickland and finally Rakestraw again.
It’s a little concerning for Gilmore that he played so late in the game and had the least amount of playing time of any corner in the bubble. It’s also interesting that Khalil Dorsey didn’t play on special teams, but my interpretation is that he’s so entrenched in that phase of the game that they wanted to give time to other players.
Security
Brandon Joseph: 32 (55%) — 8 (36%)
Morice Norris: 32 (55%) – 5 (23%)
CJ Moore: 26 (45%) — 15 (68%)
Chelen Garnès: 16 (28%) – 5 (23%)
No player has played more special teams than CJ Moore, which is who he is as a player. He’s still on the roster, in my opinion, but Thursday was a big help because he stood out in a positive way compared to Campbell.
Norris has played all over the place, but he’s been mostly a safety and a starter. Meanwhile, Brandon Joseph continues to look like the team’s best backup outside of the three starters.
Special teams
Jack Fox: 8 (36%)
Hogan Hats: 6 (27%)
Jake Bates: 3 (14)
Scott Daly: 2 (9%)
Hogan Hatten takes six long snapper reps to Scott Daly’s two. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm.
