Crunch time is upon the Detroit Lions. The Lions’ final preseason game is scheduled for this Saturday afternoon against the Houston Texans, and the 2025 NFL season is only three weeks away. There are still a few positional conflicts that need to be resolved, and there are a few critical decisions that need to be made regarding the team’s finalized 53-man roster.
Draft picks are always difficult to reconcile with the roster if they have not yet established their position with the club, as is the case with Jahmyr Gibbs or Sam LaPorta, for instance. The Lions have a few recent draft choices that are currently on the brink of an opportunity, as they anticipate a successful final week of training camp in anticipation of the upcoming game against Houston.
These three selections are particularly susceptible to being eliminated from the roster entirely after the conclusion of the contest.
Three Lions draft choices are at risk of being terminated.
Hendon Hooker, the third-round pick in 2023
Hooker is perhaps the most apparent player on the verge. It is difficult to fathom that Hooker can make up for the ground he has lost following Kyle Allen’s two exceptional performances in the preseason. He has yet to deliver a single passing touchdown in the preseason, but he has committed two interceptions and multiple fumbles.
Hooker was not afforded the opportunity to serve as Jared Goff’s reserve in its entirety last season due to Teddy Bridgewater’s presence on the roster. This was his opportunity to demonstrate that he was the team’s second-string quarterback. He has yet to demonstrate why he is the superior candidate for the position in comparison to Allen. The quarterback room is expected to decrease by one if Detroit determines that it is more important to conserve roster space on their frequently injured defense.
Dominic Lovett – seventh-round selection in 2025
Jackson Meeks, an additional freshman, has outperformed Lovett during the preseason and training camp. Meeks has been an excellent WR2 option in preseason games, particularly when paired with newcomer Isaac TeSlaa. Additionally, he can be utilized as a punt returner and blocker on special teams. Lovett has not been particularly detrimental, but his effectiveness as a weapon has not been as noteworthy as Meeks’.
Is it too late for him, or is it too little? Not at all; particularly in view of the competition that is developing at WR3 behind Tim Patrick, he may still be included on the final roster as a specialist alongside Meeks. However, if the team is once again seeking to reserve additional spaces, Lovett could be a sacrifice in order to achieve this objective.
– Brodric Martin – 2023 third-round selection
Martin may have just witnessed his role slide through his fingers after the news broke of Mekhi Wingo being removed from the PUP list, which is another 2023 sacrifice. Last season, Wingo demonstrated significant potential as both a pass rush threat and a run defender. However, his knee was injured on Thanksgiving day of that year.
Although he has achieved the fourth highest pass rush win rate of any defensive tackle this preseason (26.3 percent), he is currently competing for a spot on the depth chart. The right side of the line is already occupied by Roy Lopez and DJ Reader, while the left side is occupied by freshman Tyleik Williams and newcomer Wingo. It is probable that Wingo’s return will result in veteran tackle Pat O’Connor and Martin being on the outside looking in.
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