After two weeks of training camp and three joint practice sessions with the visiting New England Patriots, the Detroit Lions finally take to the field for an actual football game on Thursday night.
Don’t expect the premium starters to play much on either side of the ball. The early preseason games are about position battles, rookies and depth.
Here are six Lions I will be focused on watching when the two teams square off in Ford Field in the exhibition opener.
Jamal Agnew
Recently I wrote that I believe Agnew is not going to make the Lions’ 53-man roster this year. Agnew has not impressed in coverage at CB or as a return man, where he thrived in his Pro Bowl rookie campaign in 2017.
This is Agnew’s chance to shut doubters like me up. The Patriots depth at wide receiver — not to mention QB — appears awful, so Agnew has a good opportunity to play well on defense.
Joe Dahl
At the start of camp, Dahl was splitting reps between the second and third team offensive lines. Now he’s the man to beat in the left guard competition and earned a 2-year contract extension to help solidify his status.
It would be nice if he showed the fans in Ford Field what he’s shown the coaches to rise up the depth chart and assume a starting role. If he flounders, the competition heats up once again and the contract extension will get more negative scrutiny from fans who have seen little from Dahl in his first three seasons as a backup.
Ty Johnson
The speedy rookie RB is the natural replacement for Theo Riddick in the Lions’ new-look offense. Johnson has looked the part in practices, notably in the passing game.
The fifth-rounder from Maryland needs to prove himself in the passing game, both as a receiver and a blocker. The Patriots are a good challenge with their revamped defense under a new coordinator, but still a familiar scheme with roots in Lions coach Matt Patricia’s style.
Johnson should also get some opportunities to cement himself as the Lions’ primary return specialist.
Jermaine Kearse
Through the first week of camp, Kearse did little to distinguish himself. The veteran WR really picked it up in the second week, pulling away from the competition for the No. 4 WR with some great catches and confident routes.
Kearse figures to get a lot of action as the primary outside target once Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones finish their brief (if any) cameos. It would be nice to see the same Kearse who tore up the practice fields in Allen Park the last few days.
Miles Killebrew
Looking for a veteran firmly on the roster bubble? Killebrew is in dire need of an impressive preseason. The hybrid safety/LB has the physical traits to blend well into Patricia’s “multiple” defense, but it hasn’t translated in more than a handful of flashes in camp.
Pay attention to Killebrew on special teams. If he’s going to stick as a reserve, the punt and kick coverage teams are his likely ticket.
Jahlani Tavai
Detroit’s controversial second-round pick has quickly earned his way into the mix at linebacker. Tavai is smart, powerful and versatile. Anxious fans would feel a lot better if Tavai could make a splash play against the Patriots to demonstrate why the coaching staff is so bullish on the Hawaiian LB.
