After winning their first game of the season in a tough matchup against the Arizona Cardinals last weekend, the Detroit Lions host the New Orleans Saints in hopes of keeping that momentum going.
The Lions have been slow to incorporate some of their rookies into their game plan, but that does not mean that these young players won’t contribute.
Here’s what to expect from Detroit’s 2020 rookie class against the Saints:
CB Jeff Okudah
With Desmond Trufant questionable to make his return to the football field today, what will Okudah’s role be in the defensive backfield?
Okudah struggled in his first game against Green Bay, and while he wasn’t perfect against Arizona, he made some major improvements. The rookie has allowed 13 of 17 passes thrown his way to go for a reception but has not allowed a touchdown. He also has already notched his first career interception and has racked up 13 tackles in the last two games.
If Trufant plays, Okudah could end up having limited snaps on the outside while sitting behind both Trufant and Amani Oruwariye. But, slot cornerback Darryl Roberts is also listed as questionable for this game, so Okudah may find himself in that role if Roberts is unable to play.
RB D’Andre Swift
If anything has been made clear throughout the last three weeks, it is that D’Andre Swift sits firmly as the team’s third option at running back behind Adrian Peterson and Kerryon Johnson.
Despite that, Swift still has managed to make a positive impact on the Lions’ offense thus far.
The rookie has contributed 94 receiving yards and just 20 rushing yards to Detroit’s offense over the last three weeks. Expect him to continue playing in his role as a third-down and receiving option at running back.
OG Jonah Jackson
Jackson has started every game so far this season and that is not expected to change this week.
The one thing that could change is the spot he lines up at on the offensive line. In the first two weeks of the season, Jackson played right guard. After Halapoulivaati Vaitai recovered from his injuries and took the field last week, Jackson was moved to left guard and Vaitai took over on the right side.
With every offensive lineman healthy this week, it is likely that Jackson remains on the left side of the line.
JACK Julian Okwara
Okwara has appeared in two games this season and sat out one as a healthy scratch on the inactive list. When he was active for game day, he was sparsely used on defense, with just 15 total snaps.
This week, if he is active, don’t expect much from the rookie linebacker.
OG Logan Stenberg
As mentioned earlier, the Lions’ offensive line looks healthy and set with its starting five players. For Stenberg, that means he will likely be on the bench — or inactive –for this matchup against New Orleans.
WR Quintez Cephus
With Kenny Golladay healthy and back in the starting lineup, Cephus has been relegated back to the reserves. The rookie receiver caught six passes for 97 yards in his first two games and was not targeted at all in Week 3.
Expect Cephus to be the team’s fourth option at receiver this week.
DL John Penisini
Penisini has played a rotational role as the Lions’ backup nose tackle. The rookie defensive lineman has been on the field for 23-percent of Detroit’s defensive snaps but has only recorded one tackle.
Expect him to continue playing in that role this week, with the tough matchup against New Orleans’ star running back Alvin Kamara.
TE Hunter Bryant
Bryant has missed every game so far this season due to a prolonging hamstring injury. He is listed as questionable this week and may have the chance to take the field for his first NFL game.
If he plays, the undrafted rookie has the chance to make a major impact on offense.
The Saints defense has allowed 290 yards and four touchdowns by opposing tight ends over the last three weeks. In each game, that production has come from multiple tight ends, meaning that Bryant, who is behind T.J. Hockenson and Jesse James on the depth chart, could still have a chance to make some big plays.