The NFL preseason offers each groups and followers an opportunity to see rookie gamers take the sphere for the primary time as professionals. Within the Detroit Lions’ preseason debut in opposition to the New York Giants, a number of of their first-year gamers stood out.
The primary two gamers to make their presence recognized had been undrafted free agent signings Isaac Ukwu and Nate Lynn. Getting reps early within the recreation at defensive finish, the 2 proved to be disruptors in opposition to the Giants’ passing offense.
Ukwu was first to document a sack within the recreation. The previous Ole Miss defensive lineman utilized his power and energy to get exterior leverage on Giants left sort out Joshua Ezeudu. What was most spectacular was his capacity to constantly apply strain and be affected person so as to get to quarterback Drew Lock.
Lynn, in simply 22 snaps, arguably put collectively a good higher recreation than Ukwu. The undrafted rookie from William & Mary has a pure capacity to hurry the passer and retains just a few pass-rush strikes in his toolbox that helped him amass 5 quarterback pressures and a sack within the first half of the sport. His finest play wasn’t the sack, however as an alternative a spin transfer on Ezeudu’s inside shoulder that allowed him to use strain on Lock and power New York to punt.
On the offensive line, undrafted free agent Kingsley Eguakun began at heart whereas fellow rookies Bryan Hudson, Duke Clemens, and Giovanni Manu had been repping with the second-team offense at heart and left guard, and left sort out respectively. As an entire, the unit didn’t play effectively all recreation.
Eguakun struggled in opposition to New York’s three-man entrance and was overpowered on most of his 35 snaps on offense. Manu, who performed collegiately on the College of British Columbia, proved how a lot of a studying curve there’s coming into the NFL from a smaller college. Manu was beat typically by the Giants’ move rush and allowed a sack within the second half. Each Hudson and Clemens didn’t stand out in a constructive or unfavorable method on this recreation.
Right here’s how the opposite rookies fared of their first preseason recreation:
First-round draft decide Terrion Arnold was a beginning exterior cornerback and was on the sphere for simply 13 performs on protection earlier than sitting out the remainder of the sport.
Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw began reverse of Arnold and in addition took reps on the nickel place. Rakestraw completed the sport permitting one reception for no acquire in protection and recording three tackles.
Security-turned-running again Sione Vaki acquired some appears to be like within the second half of the sport and seemed electrical when the ball was in his fingers. Vaki had 4 carries for 29 yards and was a key participant in each section of Detroit’s particular groups unit.
Sixth-round decide Mekhi Wingo confirmed some flashes of potential as an inside defensive lineman. His stat sheet may not present it, however Wingo is a succesful move rusher from the 3-technique spot and was capable of put strain on the Giants’ offense just a few occasions.
Versatile defensive again Morice Norris has turned some heads throughout coaching camp, however sadly didn’t replicate that success throughout the recreation. The undrafted rookie out of Fresno State was faked out on Eric Grey’s 48-yard landing run and was later overwhelmed in protection by tight finish Tyree Jackson for an 18-yard acquire—establishing one other Giants’ landing.
Fellow undrafted defensive backs Loren Strickland and Chelen Garnes performed for a mixed 32 snaps however didn’t do a lot to make their presences recognized. Strickland notched three tackles whereas Garnes’ identify was overlooked of the field rating.
Linebacker and Detroit-area native DaRon Gilbert was a key participant for the Lions’ protection on this recreation. When within the field, he carried out effectively in opposition to the run and in zone protection versus shorter routes in the course of the sphere. When he was compelled to play man protection in opposition to a receiver on a deep route, the previous collegiate defensive again struggled to maintain up.
Large receiver Isaiah Williams led the group with 4 catches for 35 yards. The undrafted rookie proved to be a dependable possibility for each Hendon Hooker and Nate Sudfeld all through the sport. He additionally fielded two kick returns, every going for 28 yards.
Fellow rookie receiver Jalon Calhoun was focused twice on his 15 snaps of offense and solely got here away with one catch for 2 yards.
Lengthy snapper Hogan Hatten not solely appeared to have outperformed incumbent Scott Daly, however he additionally stunned many by taking reps at linebacker late within the recreation. That form of versatility might make him extra invaluable for the group transferring ahead. Hatten made two tackles in opposition to the Giants.
