Quarterback:
- Assumed in: Jared Goff
- Josh Dobbs: 6 “IN votes (down 3)
- Luke Altmyer: 5 votes (up 2)
After a disastrous start to preseason Game 2, Josh Dobbs drops three votes in our weekly Bubble Watch votes. While Dobbs did rebound nicely and led Detroit on two touchdown drives against the Commanders, it’s hard to look past two preventable turnovers. Altmyer had a quiet, but solid day. Though he only led one scoring drive, he avoided making any big mistakes.
Interestingly, for the first time since the start of training camp, no one on staff has the Lions keeping three quarterbacks. It’s becoming
harder and harder to find that extra roster spot to justify that.
Running back:
- Assumed in: Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco
- Sione Vaki: 11 votes (no change)
- Jacob Saylors: 11 votes (no change)
- Jabari Small: 0 votes
I briefly considered putting Trayveon Williams on the bubble after an impressive preseason debut for the Lions, but Detroit’s running back situation looks as figured out as possible. Small and Saylors were jockeying for the RB4 job, but Small’s concussion in the second preseason game may be the unfortunate death blow to his roster chances.
I know many Lions fans are frustrated with Sione Vaki’s continued battles through injuries, but the coaching staff has made it pretty clear how much they value him and how much they are not concerned about the injuries.
Wide receiver:
- Assumed in: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch
- Tay Martin: 8 votes (up 4)
- Dominic Lovett: 1 votes (down 2)
- Cedrick Wilson Jr.: 0 votes (down 8)
- Tom Kennedy: 0 vote (no change)
The big move here is Cedrick Wilson dropping eight votes after suffering a knee injury in Saturday’s preseason game. While we don’t yet have confirmation that it’s a serious injury, coach Dan Campbell said after the game that he’s “worried” about it being long-term.
Most of those votes went to Tay Martin, who continues to get high praise from the coaching staff, continues to rep high with the offense and get a ton of work on special teams. Interestingly, a few of our staffers have the Lions only keeping four wide receivers. That would be a surprise given how much praise Campbell has given this group, but it’s also pretty hard to point to specific standouts beyond the top four.
The rest of Wilson’s votes went to…
Tight end:
- Assumed in: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright
- OFF BUBBLE WATCH: Miles Kitselman (IR), Anthony Firkser (IR)
- Tyler Conklin: 11 “IN” votes (no change)
- Jackson Meeks: 9 votes (up 7)
- Thomas Gordon: 0 votes (no change)
… Jackson Meeks.
After an incredibly strong preseason performance, Meeks jump to the top of the line for the TE4 job, should the Lions opt to keep four. Given how much the Lions have been playing 12 and 13 personnel this offseason, it certainly would make sense to have the extra bodies here. Campbell continues to praise Meeks publicly, while also reminding the media that he’s still learning the tight end position:
“He continues to grow, and this tight end thing is still kind of new, so the good news for Meeks is he’s strong – you know, the athleticism. I mean, he was in the receiving room, and he was really a big X – so I think we all kind of know what that is. But he’s strong and he’s willing. And he’s smart. 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.”
Potential plus special teams value could be enough to vault him onto the 53-man roster, but there’s still a week of work to do.
Offensive tackle:
- Assumed in: Penei Sewell, Blake Miller, Larry Borom
- Colby Sorsdal: 0 votes (no change)
- Devin Cochran: 0 votes (no change)
Offensive tackle continues to stay stable here. But it’s at least worth noting that Devin Cochran is back practicing and playing again, which could give him a chance to make the practice squad.
Interior offensive line:
- Assumed in: Tate Ratledge, Christian Mahogany, Miles Frazier
- Assumed on IR: Cade Mays
- Juice Scruggs: 11 votes (up 0)
- Ben Bartch: 10 votes (down 1)
- Seth McLaughlin: 8 votes (down 3)
- Michael Niese: 0 votes (no change)
Juice Scruggs may as well be considered a lock at this point, as he’s pretty much nailed down the starting center job while Cade Mays recovers from his broken wrist.
The question is interior depth. Bartch has not been able to stay on the field and is now in concussion protocol. With the Lions trying out a couple of veteran guards last week, Detroit may be looking to move on for a more dependable player with loads of experience. Additionally, Seth McLaughlin had a tough afternoon against the Commanders, which has led to a few staffers getting rid of Detroit’s primary backup center. That may be tough to manage should a mid-game injury hit Scruggs, but perhaps that’s why the Lions were cross training starting right guard Tate Ratledge at center. Or the Lions could get McLaughlin on the practice squad and elevate him early in the season.
That said, Michael Niese’s preseason injury may give the Lions no choice but to roster an additional center, be it on the practice squad, the 53-man roster, or both.
