With the Detroit Lions heading to Atlanta to face off against the Falcons, they have a chance to break even on their record at 3-3 with a win.
Unfortunately, as the week’s have gone on, their 2020 rookie class has slowly been dropping off of the active roster. Third-round pick Julian Okwara was recently placed on the injured reserve list after suffering an injury against the Jaguars. Fourth-round pick Logan Stenberg and fifth-rounder Quintez Cephus have found themselves as healthy scratches in recent weeks.
For some good news, it appears that the rest of the rookie class have their roles clearly defined for the rest of the season.
Here’s what to expect from the Lions’ rookie class this week against Atlanta:
CB Jeff Okudah
With Desmond Trufant ruled out once again, Okudah will assume the starting role at cornerback alongside Amani Oruwariye.
Despite some struggles early on in the season, the third-overall draft pick in 2020 looks like he’s finally getting acclimated to the level of play in the NFL.
He’ll have a touch matchup this week against one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL: Atlanta’s Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley.
This game looks like it could easily be a shootout, so don’t expect Okudah to be shutting down either of those receivers in this matchup. Falcon’s quarterback Matt Ryan has only thrown three picks thus far in 2020, so a second career interception for Okudah seems unlikely.
RB D’Andre Swift
Swift tricked the league into thinking he would just be utilized on third downs and designed passing plays to running backs. Little did we know that he could be an even more versatile weapon for the Lions offense.
The rookie rushed for 116 yards last week against Jacksonville and could likely see more playing time on run plays.
He’ll have a tough matchup against the Falcons’ stout run defense, who held Minnesota to just 32 rushing yards last week and have not allowed more than 130 all season.
Atlanta has also allowed an average of almost 54 receiving yards by running backs per game this year, so if Swift wants to make an impact today, he’ll have to do it as a receiver.
OL Jonah Jackson and Logan Stenberg
To Lions fans’ dismay, the guard rotation on the offensive line is back.
For Jonah Jackson, this meant that his share of snap counts went from 100-percent to just 77- percent last week and could do the same this week.
Jackson has played exceptionally well so far for Detroit in both the running and passing games. Expect him to start at left guard, and hope that the Lions come to their senses and don’t rotate anyone in for him.
Stenberg, as mentioned earlier, has been inactive for most of his rookie year, and has yet to touch the field when he was suited up on game day. With the offensive line looking healthy, don’t expect much from this rookie.
WR Quintez Cephus
Like Stenberg, Cephus has seen his role diminish due to the Lions staying healthy on offense.
Kenny Golladay’s return and subsequent success on offense has lead to Cephus being pushed down to the reserves. With no injuries at receiver this week, expect the rookie to be inactive.
DL John Penisini
Penisini has seen a gradual rise in his share of snap counts on defense every week this season, with him now on the field for about a third of the time.
The Lions are getting more creative when finding ways to line up the defensive line. Penisini found himself as the primary nose tackle several times against Jacksonville, with starting nose tackle Danny Shelton occasionally being pushed out to the 3T role.
The Lions held the Jaguars to a mere 42 rushing yards last week and will now be tasked with stopping former Pro Bowler Todd Gurley.
Expect Penisini’s role to increase slightly again this week as he gets more acclimated with the NFL and it’s style of play.