{"id":279386,"date":"2025-08-11T11:31:13","date_gmt":"2025-08-11T11:31:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/279386\/"},"modified":"2025-08-11T11:31:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-11T11:31:13","slug":"detroit-lions-roster-predictions-qb-ol-battles-shifting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/279386\/","title":{"rendered":"Detroit Lions roster predictions: QB, OL battles shifting"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Detroit Lions offense finally showed some life during their Friday preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. Of course, that sign of life came from one quarterback in particular, who led Detroit on scoring drives in all three of his attempts. The other quarterback has yet to lead the Lions to a single point.<\/p>\n

That shift in quarterback dynamic headlines this week\u2019s Bubble Watch, where our staff makes their weekly predictions for who will and won\u2019t make the Lions\u2019 initial 53-man roster.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s kick things off with the offensive side of the ball.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Assumed in: Jared GoffKyle Allen: 9 \u201cIN\u201d votes (up 9)Hendon Hooker: 3 votes (down 8)<\/p>\n

Allen has now put in back-to-back performances that have outdone Hooker. He looks more poised and confident running the offense, while Hooker just can\u2019t seem to get into any rhythm. For the preseason, here are each player\u2019s stat:<\/p>\n

Allen: 16-of-22 for 211 yards, 2 TDS, 2 INTs, 95.1 passer rating
Hooker: 10-of-16 for 56 yards, 0 TDs, 1 INT, 2 lost fumbles, 42.7 passer rating<\/p>\n

As a result, eight of 11 staffers have moved Allen into the backup quarterback position. Interestingly, one person on staff believes Detroit may be swayed to keep three quarterbacks now, to perhaps see Hooker\u2019s development fully through while protecting themselves in the immediate with Allen.<\/p>\n

Assumed in: Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki<\/p>\n

Still no drama here. There is a little concern about Vaki\u2019s ability to stay healthy, given he\u2019s missed both preseason games. But the concern is mild enough that his roster spot doesn\u2019t seem in jeopardy.<\/p>\n

Assumed in: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick, Kalif Raymond, Isaac TeSlaaNEW TO BUBBLE WATCH: Tim Patrick (11 votes)Dominic Lovett: 11 votes (no change)Ronnie Bell: 0 votes (no change)Tom Kennedy: 0 votes (no change)Jackson Meeks: 0 votes (no change)Jakobie Keeney-James: 0 votes (no change)<\/p>\n

Per request, we\u2019ve dropped Tim Patrick down to the roster bubble after a slow start to training camp and the strong play from several Lions rookies, including Isaac TeSlaa, Dominic Lovett, and Jackson Meeks. However, our staff all has him in, likely because of what coach Dan Campbell said of the veteran receiver last week.<\/p>\n

\u201cI would tell you it\u2019s not as bad as he\u2019s portraying it,\u201d Campbell responded to Patrick\u2019s comments about a bad start to camp<\/a>. \u201cTim, we know what Tim is, he\u2019s just a steady, reliable veteran guy, plays big, he\u2019s smart, hard worker and he\u2019s going to put his days back-to-back and he\u2019s going to be just fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meeks had a very strong preseason game, which could vault him into the WR6 discussion\u2014especially with Lovett nursing an injury\u2014but the POD staff is not overreacting to a single game.<\/p>\n

Assumed in: Sam LaPorta, Brock WrightOff of bubble watch: Kenny Yeboah (moved to IR)Shane Zylstra: 11 votes (up 1)Zach Horton: 1 votes (no change)<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, Kenny Yeboah\u2019s injury on Friday night landed him on injured reserve, likely making this a two-man race for the TE3 job. Detroit does have two new tight ends on the roster, but we aren\u2019t putting them on the bubble until we actually get to see them practice and\/or play.<\/p>\n

Assumed in: Taylor Decker, Penei Sewell, Giovanni ManuDan Skipper: 11 votes (no change)Jamarco Jones: 1 votes (no change)<\/p>\n

Detroit\u2019s depth is concerning. Jamarco Jones and Dan Skipper are still nursing injuries while Justin Herron is now gone for the season on injured reserve. That has left most of the reps to Giovanni Manu and Mason Miller. Manu is growing, but still way behind, and Miller has struggled since the opening day of camp.<\/p>\n

That has left the entire staff pining for Skipper to return to the lineup, and his grasp on the OT3 job seems stronger than ever.<\/p>\n

Assumed in: Graham Glasgow, Tate Ratledge, Christian MahoganyOff of bubble watch: Colby Sorsdal (moved to IR)Kayode Awosika: 11 votes (no change)Trystan Colon: 5 votes (no change)Kingsley Eguakun: 4 votes (up 2)Miles Frazier: 0 votes (down 2)Netane Muti: 0 votes (no change)Michael Niese: 0 votes (no change)<\/p>\n

Sorsdal was a bit of a longshot to make the roster, but he was starting to make a very strong case for himself before suffering a season-ending injury on Friday night. He\u2019s signed through the 2026 season, so he\u2019ll have one more shot to make a case for him next season.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, the staff is now unanimous in believing that rookie Miles Frazier will begin the regular season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. That opens up a roster spot, and the staff is conflicted where that spot is going to. Everyone believe Kayode Awosika is the most trusted veteran guard right now, but the backup center battle remains unsettled. Trystan Colon has a slight lead after starting Friday\u2019s game at center, but Kingsley Eguakun gained some ground after a bounceback game following a tough 2025 debut against the Chargers.<\/p>\n

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