How the Detroit Lions utilize their players in the preseason can often tell a lot about their intentions when it comes to next week’s roster cuts. It’s not only how much you play, but what order the players take the field, and you can never forget special teams.
So let’s take a closer look at the Detroit Lions’ snap count from their preseason game against the Washington Commanders and dive into what it may mean for roster construction.
Quarterbacks:
- Luke Altmyer: 38 snaps (57%)
- Josh Dobbs: 29 (43%)
- Jared Goff: DNP
Josh Dobbs got the start, despite getting very little reps during
training camp. Though his afternoon got off to a disastrous start, he eventually settled in and helped orchestrate both Lions touchdown drives, including a 50-yard rushing touchdown of his own.
Luke Altmyer rotated in with Dobbs and never made any huge mistakes like Dobbs’ two turnovers, but only managed to headman a single scoring drive.
I don’t think Saturday’s game gave us any true hints as two where the backup battle currently stands.
Running backs:
- Trayveon Williams: 22 (33%) — 1 special teams snap (5%)
- Jacob Saylors: 20 (30%) — 4 (18%)
- Raheem Blackshear: 19 (28%) — 4 (18%)
- Jabari Small: 6 (9%) — 1 (5%)
- Jahmyr Gibbs: DNP
- Isiah Pacheco: DNP (injury)
- Sione Vaki: DNP (injury)
While Vaki’s injury held him out of Saturday’s game, coach Dan Campbell’s encouraging words about him all but lock in a roster spot for him—despite his constant battles through injury.
Unfortunately, injury may keep Jabari Small from making the team. He missed the first preseason game with an injury and after just six snaps against the Commanders, he was pulled to enter concussion protocol. Campbell had previously mentioned how Small and Jacob Saylors were neck-and-neck in a potential RB4 competition, but this concussion could be the tipping point.
Elsewhere, Raheem Blackshear and Trayveon Williams impressed in a lot of reserve duty. While it’ll be hard for each to contend for a 53-man roster spot, both helped their case to stick around on the practice squad—particularly Williams.
Wide receivers:
- Tay Martin: 31 (46%) — 6 (27%)
- Isaac TeSlaa: 27 (40%)
- Tarik Black: 24 (36%) — 6 (27%)
- Lucky Jackson: 24 (36%) — 4 (18%)
- Malik Cunningham: 14 (21%)
- Dominic Lovett: 14 (21%)
- Tom Kennedy: 7 (10%) — 6 (27%)
- Greg Dortch: 7 (10%) — 3 (14%)
- Cedrick Wilson: 5 (7%)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown: DNP
- Jameson Williams: DNP
In terms of overall results, Tay Martin’s day was mixed. But the fact that he started the game and played a lot on special teams is quite telling that he’s likely the leading candidate for the WR5 job,especially after Cedrick Wilson’s injury, which Campbell expressed fear that it could be serious. Martin had a key drop on third down, but Campbell said there were good things that Martin did that went overlooked, too.
“I don’t feel like this is something where, ‘Man, he’s had these glowing opportunities that he didn’t capitalize on.’ I don’t feel that way at receiver. I feel like he’s made a couple of plays that were there, really hadn’t got – now listen, I will tell you, there were two plays today where his number was called for an explosive, and he’s open, and we didn’t get it there.”
He also mentioned Martin drew a special teams penalty.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, it certainly isn’t a good sign that 2025 draft pick Dominic Lovett had a decreased role and zero reps on special teams. He did haul in a catch for 6 yards, but that’s hardly enough of an impact for a player who isn’t contributing on teams.
Meanwhile, it’s a bit disappointing to see TeSlaa play that much and not garner a single target from either quarterback. Still, the reps are important even when the ball isn’t coming his way.
Tight ends:
- Tyler Gordon: 28 (42%) — 5 (23%)
- Jackson Meeks: 28 (42%) — 10 (45%)
- Tyler Conklin: 27 (40%) — 4 (18%)
- Zach Horton: 20 (30%) — 2 (9%)
- Brock Wright: 12 (18%) — 3 (14%)
- Sam LaPorta: DNP (injury)
Jackson Meeks was arguably the biggest winner of the game. He played a ton on Saturday, including 10 special teams snaps, which was the most of any player on offense. His forced fumble on kickoff duties essentially sealed the game for Detroit.
Campbell praised Meeks after the game, but preached patience with him as he continues to learn nuances to the new tight end position.
“He’s strong and he’s willing. And he’s smart,” Campbell said. “So, it’s just time on task. He’s another one, but you see how he attacks special teams. He gives our guys fits and special teams, too. Some of these looks, whether he’s on that team, or he’s giving – say I’m on the opposite of the ball and we’re on punt and I’m on punt rush, he will just give our guys fits. So that was good to see. I thought he did some really good things today. He made some critical plays.”
If there will be a TE4 on the roster, Meeks has to be the leading candidate behind Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, and Tyler Conklin.
Offensive tackle:
- Miles Frazier: 48 (72%) — 2 (9%)
- Colby Sorsdal: 46 (69%) — 2 (9%)
- Devin Cochran: 26 (39%)
- Blake Miller: 15 (22%) — 2 (9%)
- Larry Borom: 15 (22%) — 2 (9%)
- Penei Sewell: DNP
Frazier played both tackle spots and right guard on Saturday, as he continues to flash his versatility. That was certainly helpful on Saturday, and you’d have to imagine Detroit would appreciate that during the regular season—particularly as they struggle with the health of their depth players (see: Bartch, Niese, Mays).
Not much else to note about this group, as the tackle room seems fairly straightforward when building the roster. Penei Sewell, Larry Borom and Blake Miller are locks. And Frazier as a versatile depth piece is likely the only other one to make the roster—although it was good to see Devin Cochran out there, as he’s battled injury for nearly all camp.
Guard/center:
- Mason Miller: 52 (78%) — 2 (9%)
- Seth McLaughlin: 51 (76%) — 4 (18%)
- Melvin Priestly: 36 (54%) — 2 (9%)
- Christian Mahogany: 15 (22%) — 4 (18%)
- Juice Scruggs: 15 (22%) — 2 (9%)
- Tate Ratledge: 15 (22%) — 2 (9%)
- Michael Niese: 1 (1%)
- Ben Bartch: DNP (injury)
- Cade Mays: DNP (injury)
Interestingly, after playing solely right guard in the preseason opener, Mason Miller played strictly left guard against the Commanders. With some questions about the depth at guard, showcasing that versatility could give him a leg up if Detroit opts to part ways with the oft-injured Ben Bartch.
Seth McLaughlin played a ton in this game, but unfortunately, that was due to third-string center Michael Niese suffering an injury on his one and only play. McLaughlin struggled quite a bit in the second half, which likely created more distance between him and presumed starter Juice Scruggs (with Cade Mays out).
Semi-interesting note: the Lions opted to throw Christian Mahogany out there on special teams to replace Niese’s role.
Defensive end:
- Derrick Moore: 25 (52%) — 4 (18%)
- Ahmed Hassanein: 19 (40%) — 2 (9%)
- DJ Wonnum: 14 (29%) — 1 (5%)
- Anthony Lucas: 13 (27%)
- Eric O’Neill: 9 (19%)
- Tyler Lacy: 7 (15%) — 2 (9%)
- Aidan Hutchinson: DNP
- Payton Turner: DNP (injury)
First of all, I think it’s worth pointing out just how few snaps there were to go around on defense. Detroit only played 48 total snaps on that side of the ball, compared to 67 on offense. So as you’ll see, a lot of reserves didn’t get much time. As an example, the Commanders ran a total of just nine plays in the fourth quarter.
So Eric O’Neill and Anthony Lucas felt the brunt of that bad luck. And while O’Neill continues to make the most of his opportunities, it does speak loudly that he’s not repping until late in the game.
Meanwhile, Detroit loaded Derrick Moore’s plate in his NFL debut, and the rookie delivered a solid performance. It was also nice to see DJ Wonnum wet his beak, and he, too, had a solid Lions debut.
Defensive tackle:
- Mekhi Wingo: 24 (50%)
- Skyler Gill-Howard: 23 (48%) — 1 (5%)
- Levi Onwuzurike: 18 (38%) — 2 (9%)
- Chris Smith: 12 (25%) — 2 (9%)
- Myles Adams: 11 (23%)
- Ben Stille: 9 (19%)
- Tyleik Williams: 8 (17%) — 1 (5%)
- Tyre West: 0 snaps
- Alim McNeill: DNP
I’ve been talking about Ben Stille a lot this week as an dark-horse candidate to make the team. And while he only logged nine snaps, six of them were in the first quarter. He continues to rep anywhere between nose and big end, flashing the versatility the Lions love.
Gill-Howard was also a big winner on Saturday. He got work in every quarter of the game, and while he impressed as a pass rusher, he was not happy with his own performance in the run game, saying he was too often trying to shoot the gaps rather than play his assignment. He’s still likely in for a pass-rushing role early in his career, but it’s clear he’s devoted to become a three-down player.
Meanwhile, it was good to see Mekhi Wingo back and out of concussion protocol. He, too, played every quarter of the game, including some first-team work on the opening defensive drive.
Linebacker:
- Devin White: 23 (48%)
- Derrick Barnes: 20 (42%) — 5 (23%)
- Trevor Nowaske: 19 (40%) — 5 (23%)
- Malcolm Rodriguez: 19 (40%) — 5 (23%)
- Joe Bachie: 11 (23%) — 11 (50%)
- Troy Reeder: 6 (12%) — 13 (59%)
- Erick Hunter: 6 (12%) — 13 (59%)
- Amen Ogbongbemiga: 6 (12%) — 10 (45%)
- Jack Campbell: DNP
- Damone Clark: DNP (injured)
- Jimmy Rolder: DNP (injured)
Devin White and Malcolm Rodriguez continue to battle it out for the starting WILL linebacker role. White officially got the start, but Rodriguez got time in the opening drive, too. In fact, they both shared the field on the second snap of the game, with Rodriguez manning the MIKE and White at the WILL.
Reeder and Hunter were victimized by the low fourth-quarter snap counts for the defense, but both got extended looks on special teams. Meanwhile, Trevor Nowaske played a ton and in nearly every linebacker position.
Bachie is someone to look out for. While he didn’t appear on defense until the second half, he constantly gets high praise for his special teams, and he’s repping ahead of Reeder, Hunter, and Ogbongbemiga.
Cornerback:
- Nick Whiteside: 29 (60%) — 7 (32%)
- Ennis Rakestraw 24 (50%) — 8 (36%)
- D.J. Reed: 23 (48%)
- Keith Abney: 15 (31%) — 8 (36%)
- Roger McCreary: 15 (31%) — 7 (32%)
- Rock Ya-Sin: 14 (29%) — 1 (5%)
- Khalil Dorsey: 9 (19%) — 6 (27%)
- Christian Izien: 5 (10%) — 7 (32%)
- Bum Cooper: 0 (0%) — 2 (9%)
- Ekow Boye-Doe: 0 snaps
D.J. Reed got a ton of reps in the preseason game, playing essentially the entire first half. My read on that was they wanted him to just get some reps after missing a chunk of camp to injury. Interesting to see that Rock Ya-Sin was pulled before that, showing how much faith Detroit has in him right now.
Detroit also got a good, long look at rookie Keith Abney, whose 15 snaps all came at nickel. McCreary and Izien subbed in there, as well. It’s worth noting Izien didn’t play a single snap at safety, despite the fact that they were shorthanded there.
Certainly promising to see Ennis Rakestraw out there after suffering an ankle injury late in the week at training camp. He needs the reps.
Safety:
- Aamaris Brown: 28 (58%) — 6 (27%)
- Chuck Clark: 23 (48%) — 2 (9%)
- Dan Jackson: 21 (44%) — 6 (27%)
- Avonte Maddox: 20 (42%)
- DNP: Thomas Harper (injury?)
- DNP: Brian Branch (injury/PUP)
- DNP: Kerby Joseph (injury/PUP)
With Harper out presumably because of an injury—he missed last practice, too—it was an opportunity for Aamaris Brown and Dan Jackson to show up. However, it was certainly a surprise to see veteran Chuck Clark out for the entire first half.
One more note: Jackson appeared to get pulled from the game late, and it was cornerback Nick Whiteside who had to backfill three snaps at safety.
Specialists:
- Jake Bates: 8
- Jack Fox: 7
- LS Hogan Hatten: 7
