It’s been a busy few days for the Detroit Lions.
On Tuesday, they narrowed their roster to 52 gamers, then picked up former Lions UDFA LB Trevor Nowaske off of waivers on Wednesday afternoon. By the top of Wednesday, they established their preliminary follow squad, including 15 gamers with one other (Donovan Peoples-Jones) reportedly on the way in which. On Thursday, the Lions continued to make strikes, inserting John Cominsky on injured reserve (opening a spot on the lively roster), including Peoples-Jones, and defensive again Erick Hallett to the follow squad—and in flip releasing C.J. Moore in a corresponding transfer.
The Lions’ follow squad is definitely distinctive in comparison with what we have now seen in previous seasons. As a substitute of utilizing the follow squad as a developmental area to develop gamers, this yr’s squad is comprised of gamers able to compete instantly. This purposeful squad building appears to go hand-in-hand with the Lions being firmly in Tremendous Bowl competition and desirous to have accessible choices on the prepared.
“I do know the main target is on the 53 (man roster), however our follow squad, we put plenty of work and delight into that, and we’ll have to make use of all of these guys sooner or later as we usually do,” common supervisor Brad Holmes mentioned on Thursday.
With a number of of those gamers possible discovering the sphere on recreation days sooner or later this season, let’s take a better take a look at the present 16 gamers on the Lions follow squad.
QB Jake Fromm
Fromm is not any stranger to stepping right into a starter position with minimal prep. At Georgia, he earned a backup position as a real freshman, and when Jacob Eason went down with an harm, Fromm took over because the Bulldogs starter. He would lead Georgia to the School Soccer Playoff however finally misplaced to Alabama in extra time of the Championship recreation. The next season, Fromm confronted competitors from incoming freshman sensation Justin Fields, however Fromm gained the beginning job, and Fields transferred to Ohio State.
Fromm opted for the NFL following his junior season at Georgia and was chosen within the fifth spherical by the Payments. After two seasons because the backup, he moved to the Giants for a yr, then spent the latest three seasons with the Commanders. Regardless of having six years of NFL expertise, Fromm has solely seen motion in three video games, beginning two for New York in 2021.
He joined the Lions midway by way of coaching camp as insurance coverage towards a concussion harm suffered by backup Hendon Hooker. Whereas Fromm labored to get reps, Hooker rapidly returned from harm, and Fromm dropped to QB4 on the depth chart. His solely likelihood to make an impression on the Lions got here with 10 minutes remaining in preseason Sport 3 towards the Steelers, however he took full benefit, and the true freshman model of Fromm reappeared.
On simply two drives, Fromm accomplished six of eight passes for 89 yards, led the crew to a lead-extending area aim, and regarded totally answerable for the offense. The Lions coaches took discover.
“Fromm,” coach Dan Campbell mentioned with a smile following the sport. “Man, I like Fromm. The child can play just a little ball, there’s one thing about him. He understands the place his solutions are at, what to do with the soccer.”
When it got here time to ascertain the roster/follow squad, the Lions entrance workplace have been additionally impressed.
“I’ve all the time been a fan of (Fromm) ever since he got here out of Georgia and even courting again to highschool popping out of Warner Robins,” common supervisor Brad Holmes mentioned of Fromm. “He’s all the time been a winner […] Clearly, there’s much more different issues that he confirmed in a brief period of time that was not seen on movie, however he was spectacular in a short while. That’s what did it for him, and we’ll simply see the way it goes, the extra that we’re round him, the extra comfy he’ll get.”
RB Jermar Jefferson
Jefferson was chosen by the Lions within the seventh spherical of the 2021 NFL draft however an harm shortened his rookie season, and he’s been combating again ever since. He’s has been on the Lions follow squad the earlier two seasons and displaying regular enchancment, particularly as a go protector and increasing his roles on particular groups.
This offseason, Jefferson had positioned himself in a spot the place coaches have been certainly contemplating maintaining a fifth working again on the lively roster, however a mid-training camp harm put him behind, and he was not in a position to return to kind rapidly sufficient. If the Lions endure an harm to one in all their high 4 backs, Jefferson is a balanced, regular choice who may very well be elevated to a plug-and-play position on the lively roster.
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
The Lions traded for Peoples-Jones in the course of the 2023 season, then re-signed him this offseason, giving him the chance to compete for the crew’s beginning WR-X job. After a season-ending harm to Antoine Inexperienced, Peoples-Jones discovered himself in an enviable spot amongst the starters, however he was by no means in a position to seize the job, and flat-out disillusioned in the course of the preseason.
The Lions nonetheless wouldn’t have a solution for the WR-X position and are planning on persevering with the competitors into the common season. The Lions introduced in two extra veteran WR-X receivers to compete with Peoples-Jones, but when neither can stand up to hurry with the playbook quick sufficient, it wouldn’t be stunning to see Peoples-Jones elevated for the Lions Week 1 recreation as a consequence of his familiarity with the Lions offensive system and terminology.
WR Tim Patrick
At 6-foot-4, 212 kilos, Patrick is a prototypical WR-X. Undrafted out of Utah in 2017, Patrick bounced across the Ravens and 49ers follow squads earlier than becoming a member of the Broncos to shut out his rookie season. He would stay on the Broncos’ lively roster for the following six seasons and developed right into a full-time starter by 2020. Sadly, an ACL harm value him the 2022 season, and an Achilles harm suffered in coaching camp ended his 2023 season prematurely.
Patrick returned to the Broncos in 2024 and totally previous his accidents throughout coaching camp, however with Denver spending a ton of capital to create competitors of their receiver’s room, he was squeezed off the roster.
“I assumed that it was actually cool to see Tim Patrick, after all the pieces that he’s executed, transfer round within the preseason, run routes, present that he can nonetheless drop his weight, snap down, get out of breaks and nonetheless catch the soccer. So, we have been excited so as to add him,” Holmes mentioned on Thursday.
With Patrick’s historical past and preseason efficiency, he may very well be thought of the front-runner for the Lions WR-X job as soon as he’s introduced up to the mark with the Lions’ scheme.
WR Allen Robinson
Robinson (6-foot-3, 220 kilos) was a famous person WR-X in Jacksonville from 2014-2017, making the Professional Bowl and main the NFL in landing receptions in 2015. He turned that manufacturing right into a three-year contract with the Bears, who used the franchise tag on him in 2021 to maintain him for a fourth season. Sadly for the Bears, Robinson’s manufacturing quickly declined that season, resulting in him departing in free company for the Rams. Los Angeles signed him to a three-year contract, however he solely noticed one season with the Rams earlier than being launched. Final season, Robinson joined the Steelers, who made him their beginning slot receiver, however with Pittsburgh’s poor play at quarterback, it was one other disappointing season and one other launch from his contract. He joined the Giants this offseason, however they elected to stay with youthful developmental choices, resulting in his alternative with the Lions.
After six seasons of stellar soccer, the next three years have been a disappointment. Whereas his play has declined with age, it’s additionally value noting that he hasn’t been helped a lot by his quarterbacks. In 2021, Justin Fields was a rookie in Chicago. In 2022, the Rams scrambled after Matthew Stafford was misplaced for the season. In 2023, Pittsburgh ran by way of three totally different quarterbacks—none of which have been adequate to stick with the Steelers in 2024.
The Lions are hoping there’s nonetheless some magic left and that Jared Goff may also help him discover it.
“(Allen Robinson) was a man that we wished so as to add in free company a few years in the past,” Holmes mentioned. “Clearly, a Detroit child from right here—however that’s not the explanation why he’s right here—however he’s one other man that may step in and we all know he can play.”
Whereas Robinson just isn’t the offensive producer he as soon as was, the Lions gained’t want him to be, and his effectiveness as a run blocker might earn him a roster promotion/elevation before many expect.
WR Tom Kennedy
A gentle and dependable slot choice for the Lions, Kennedy enters his sixth season with the Lions. As a slot-only choice, he’s additional down the depth chart than ever earlier than, however he’s possible on the follow squad for his work on the scout crew. Kennedy is a singular athlete who can present the Lions’ protection totally different seems past simply being a receiver, which is extremely invaluable in the course of the common season.
TE Shane Zylstra
Zylstra was believed to be the chief for the TE3 job for many of coaching camp and was arguably one of many Lions’ most stunning choices at cutdowns. With dependable arms and improved blocking, Zylstra has an opportunity to be a roster elevation sooner or later in the course of the season, and a possible candidate for promotion to the lively roster because the season wears on.
TE James Mitchell
A uncommon Holmes draft decide to not make the Lions’ lively roster, Mitchell has battled harm over his first two seasons within the NFL and has not persistently developed as hoped. The Lions do have a historical past of getting essentially the most out of their third-year gamers, so there’s nonetheless a stable likelihood issues come collectively for him and he contributes this season.
IOL Kingsley Eguakun
One of many Lions’ high-priority UDFA targets this offseason, Eguakun had a really difficult highway to the roster with the depth on Detroit’s offensive line. Eguakun confirmed constant development all through camp and began all three preseason video games at middle, whereas additionally displaying the vary to play guard. It was a little bit of a shock to see the Lions follow Michael Niese over the younger and promising Eguakun, nevertheless it wouldn’t be stunning to see the rookie discover his means onto the game-day roster, both by elevation or promotion. Even when Eguakun does not see the sphere in 2024, there’s sufficient expertise in his recreation that he seems poised to compete for a task in 2025.
OT Jamarco Jones
A mid-training camp addition to the Lions roster, Jones’ versatility to play each left and proper deal with, in addition to guard, makes him a invaluable asset. As soon as thought of a candidate to begin for the Titans in 2023, Jones regarded good in camp and may very well be able to step into a bigger position if wanted.
NT Kyle Peko
With DJ Reader recovering from harm, Peko was the Lions’ beginning nostril deal with for almost all of coaching camp. Peko did rotate snaps with Brodric Martin at instances, however with Martin on injured reserve, and Reader not anticipated to be prepared for Week 1, Peko goes to be a participant the Lions might have to depend on early within the season. Search for Peko as a possible Week 1 elevation for the Rams recreation, or probably even somebody to be signed to the lively roster sooner or later.
DT Chris Smith
Smith is a growing younger defensive deal with who Campbell mentioned has proven constant development throughout his time in Detroit. A tough employee who can present the Lions depth on the 3-technique, nostril deal with, and three/5-technique roles, Smith offers the Lions choices.
EDGE Isaac Ukwu
Ukwu being left off the lively roster was most likely one of many hardest and final choices the Lions made at cutdowns. After recording a sack in every of Detroit’s preseason video games, Ukwu flashes pass-rushing expertise whereas additionally displaying effectively towards the run. His largest impediment was a scarcity of expertise and the elite go dashing abilities of James Houston. If the Lions battle with their go rush in 2024, don’t be shocked if Ukwu will get a shot to show his value.
A real developmental participant, Ukwu will possible be confronted with a tough choice on the finish of the season as a result of he was drafted by the UFL. When the NFL season is over Ukwu might face the selection between sticking within the NFL vs. going to the UFL the place he can showcase his abilities, and search for a much bigger alternative.
EDGE Mitchell Agude
Agude is one other younger pass-rushing expertise who wants a bit extra polish earlier than discovering the sphere. He has proven the power to line up at a number of totally different spots alongside the defensive position and is without doubt one of the solely go rushers to search out success within the SAM linebacker position. With Derrick Barnes at present the one true SAM on the roster, and the position being of significance to the Lions’ protection, Agude is an underrated and vital insurance coverage choice for the Lions.
DL Pat O’Connor
Regardless of being the fifth defensive lineman on the Lions follow squad, O’Connor brings one other distinctive ability set to the desk. His skill to play on the 3, 5, and seven methods offers him comparable vary to Josh Paschal and John Cominsky. With Cominsky already on injured reserve (and never anticipated again till the top of the season), the Lions will flip to O’Connor to function insurance coverage for Paschal.
DB Erick Hallett
Drafted within the sixth spherical of the 2023 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Hallett spent his rookie season on their follow squad, then was launched at cutdowns this week. On the College of Pittsburgh, Hallet was a two-year starter, splitting time between nickelback and security. In the course of the Jaguars preseason, Hallet was sometimes used at security, whereas additionally contributing on particular groups, however he’ll possible be headed for the security/slot position within the Lions’ protection.
