The Detroit Lions' preseason opener against the Cincinnati Bengals was a mixed bag, with some players shining and others struggling. While it's still early, this game provided valuable insights into the team's roster and potential starting lineup. Here's a deep dive into the winners and losers, with a heavy dose of personal commentary and analysis.
Winners
DE Ahmed Hassanein
Ahmed Hassanein was a standout performer, transforming himself from a player I wasn't sure would make the roster to someone who might not even need to play in the third preseason game. His performance against the Bengals was a testament to his hard work and dedication. Hassanein's ability to sack Joe Burrow and force a fumble against the starting offensive line was impressive, and he finished with four tackles, three quarterback hits, 2.0 sacks, two tackles for loss, and a forced fumble. His red-zone sack and forced fumble of Josh Johnson were particularly reassuring, showing his ability to shut down a drive while creating a takeaway opportunity. Hassanein's progress has been nothing short of remarkable, and he continues to exceed expectations.
DT Skyler Gill-Howard
Another young defensive lineman who is on an upward trajectory, Skyler Gill-Howard had a solid performance against the Bengals. He consistently found himself around the football, recording one tackle by chasing down Josh Johnson on third down and forcing Cincinnati to settle for a field goal. His effort and athleticism were on full display, and he also added a quarterback hit and a tackle for loss. Gill-Howard's progress as a pass rusher is evident, and he's making a strong case for a roster spot.
RB Jacob Saylors
Jacob Saylors had a strong performance, showing off his acceleration and ability to run through arm tackles. He finished with eight carries for 55 yards (6.9 yards per carry), including a long of 27 yards and four other runs of seven or more yards. He also added three catches for 28 receiving yards. Saylors looked noticeably fresher than he did last season and is poised to surpass the two offensive touches he received for the Lions last year. His performance against the Bengals was a strong statement of intent and a reminder of his potential as a key contributor to the offense.
LG Christian Mahogany
Christian Mahogany had a solid performance, helping to provide multiple sparks in the run game. He played a key role in springing Jacob Saylors' first carry for seven yards by plowing Dexter Lawrence downfield. Mahogany also benefited from 24 live reps in pass protection, which is crucial for his development. His performance gives him an early lead in the position battle for the honor of lining up next to left tackle Penei Sewell.
RT Blake Miller
Blake Miller had a promising first performance in a Lions uniform, receiving valuable reps against Myles Murphy, Cedric Johnson, and Jonathan Allen. While he still has room for improvement, particularly with his footwork, Miller showed potential and could be a key contributor to the offensive line.
ED Eric O'Neill
Eric O'Neill had a strong performance, showing a lot more bounce and spring in his step. He beat Zeus Jr. for a quarterback hit on Joe Burrow on third down to force a field goal, and he added a handful of impressive pass-rush wins and two tackles in run defense. O'Neill's performance was a reminder of his potential as a key contributor to the defensive line.
DB Christian Izien
Christian Izien showed off his skill set in the box, including a blitz where he beat Chase Brown in pass protection and another run stuff while essentially operating as a third linebacker. Izien gives Kelvin Sheppard a different type of optionality at nickel, and his performance was a strong statement of intent.
S Thomas Harper
Thomas Harper had a solid performance, showing off his range while providing help coverage to force an incompletion on a deep ball along the sideline. He also kept everything in front of him and was controlled coming downhill in tackle support against checkdowns. Harper's performance was a reminder of his potential as a key contributor to the secondary.
CB Nick Whiteside
Nick Whiteside had a strong performance, getting his hands on some pigskin and recovering to break up a deep ball. His performance was a reminder of his potential as a key contributor to the secondary.
CB Keith Abney II
Keith Abney II had a strong performance, collecting a handful of eye-opening plays, including a fortuitous fumble recovery, a pass breakup, and a textbook decleation on a checkdown off play action. While he did have one rough rep where a Bengals receiver swallowed him whole on an outside run, Abney showed potential and could be a key contributor to the secondary.
NT Chris Smith
Chris Smith had a strong performance in run defense, showing penetration on one Chase Brown run while also pushing the pocket at times. Smith remains in the running to make the 53-man roster as a reserve nose tackle.
LB Trevor Nowaske
Trevor Nowaske had a strong performance, surprisingly receiving more work at MIKE linebacker than SAM and making several plays against the run. His performance was a reminder of his potential as a key contributor to the linebacker corps.
QB Luke Altmeyer
Luke Altmeyer had a strong performance, moving past the hand-size issues and playing aggressively. He pushed the ball downfield and gave his receivers opportunities to make plays, which is crucial for his development as a quarterback.
Losers
WR Isaac TeSlaa
Isaac TeSlaa had a rough preseason debut, coughing up his first target off his helmet, resulting in an interception. He also dropped a well-thrown slant on fourth down to end a possession. TeSlaa's performance raises questions about the Lions' trust in him with primary WR3 snaps in Week 1 against a Brandon Staley-led defense. His struggles are a concern, particularly for an offense already preparing to start a new backup center in a big spot.
OL Miles Frazier
Miles Frazier had a rough night, with three penalties, a sack allowed, and balance issues across both positions. His performance was a disappointment after impressing with his versatility throughout training camp. Frazier will need to step up his game if he wants to secure a roster spot.
DL Mekhi Wingo
Mekhi Wingo suffered an injury and wasn't able to string together the same level of impact plays as his direct roster competition, Skyler Gill-Howard. His performance was a concern, particularly given the competition for roster spots on the defensive line.
DL Tyre West
Tyre West had just four defensive snaps, which speaks to where he currently sits on the defensive line ladder rung. His performance was a disappointment, particularly given his potential as a young defensive lineman.
WR Tom Kennedy
Tom Kennedy watched fellow WR5 competitors make plays with the ball while he has yet to truly stand out during 11-on-11 work this summer. His performance was a concern, particularly given the competition for roster spots at the wide receiver position.
In conclusion, the Detroit Lions' preseason opener provided valuable insights into the team's roster and potential starting lineup. While some players shone and others struggled, the game remains an important piece of the development and roster evaluation process. As the preseason continues, we'll see how these players develop and whether they can secure a roster spot. The Lions have a challenging task ahead of them, but with hard work and dedication, they can build a competitive team for the upcoming season.
