A New Starter Emerges at Allen Park and Two Draft Picks Are Running Out of Time
Training camp just got real. Day 10 at Allen Park delivered more storylines than most of us were ready for this early in August, and some of them are not what you want to hear if you are a Lions fan still clinging to the idea that depth equals safety.
Let’s start with the good news because it won’t last long.
Devin White Has Won the Will Linebacker Job
It’s official. Or as official as training camp can make it.
Devin White has beaten out Malcolm Rodriguez for the starting Will linebacker spot. He’s taking first team reps, he’s flying around like a heat-seeking missile, and his run-stopping ability has been exactly what the Lions signed him to do. There are still some questions in coverage, which has always been his weaker area, and he did go the wrong way on a couple of plays. But he also broke up a pass intended for Sam LaPorta in the end zone, so the range is there.
Is he going to hold this job forever? Who knows. Jimmy Rolder is still out there, waiting for his moment. But right now, this is Devin White’s spot, and honestly, it makes sense. Brad Holmes doesn’t sign guys just to collect paychecks.
Christian Mahogany Has Won the Left Guard Battle
Call it. It’s over.
Christian Mahogany has played virtually every first team rep at left guard, and he’s looked good doing it. Miles Frazier still has value as a versatile bench piece, but his days as a starter at one position seem done. And when Juice Scruggs gets back from his minor injury, he’s likely going straight to center, which means his time competing at left guard is probably over too.
Mahogany wasn’t a flashy pick, but he’s doing exactly what you need from an interior lineman. No drama. No confusion. Just solid reps.
Seth McLaughlin Had a Decent First Day at Center
With Cade Mays out until potentially October, Seth McLaughlin got his first real reps with Jared Goff. And while he did get some tough pressure from Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams, there wasn’t anything that made you want to panic and start Googling free agent centers.
It’s assumed Scruggs takes over the first team duties when he’s back, but McLaughlin is giving himself a real shot at making the 53-man roster if he keeps this up. Michael Niese, on the other hand, had some struggles with the second team, including a bad snap that led to a fumble for Luke Altmyer. That’s not what you want to see.
Sione Vaki Is in Serious Trouble
This one hurts to write because Vaki was one of those draft picks that felt fun and versatile and like maybe Brad Holmes had pulled another rabbit out of his draft hat.
But he’s been hurt, and while he’s been out, Jacob Saylors, Jabari Small, and Kye Robichaux have all been showing up on offense and special teams. That’s exactly what Vaki can’t afford right now. When he gets back, he might not jump right back into the pecking order he had before the injury. This roster is too competitive, and the margin for error is razor thin.
Luke Altmyer Did Not Have a Great Day
Look, it wasn’t his best showing. Multiple turnovers. A fumble off a bad snap from Niese. Not a lot of big positive plays outside of a really nice throw on the run to Cedrick Wilson. He did have a read option touchdown run in the red zone drill, so it’s not like he was completely invisible.
But this was not the day that moves him closer to the QB2 spot. It was the opposite. And with Josh Dobbs now in the building, that window is closing fast. Dobbs didn’t do much on this day, mostly stood next to quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell and threw in early drills, but his presence alone changes the calculus.
It Was Turnover Day in Allen Park
Dan Jackson had a beautiful diving interception on Luke Altmyer early in the session. Chuck Clark picked off Jared Goff in the end zone off a tipped pass. Clark later tipped another pass himself that Nick Whiteside picked off. Christian Izien also picked off Altmyer. The defense had a field day.
Ennis Rakestraw Continues to Fade
This one is quietly becoming a problem. Faith in Ennis Rakestraw feels like it’s fading more and more with each practice. He was a draft pick who was supposed to contribute, and right now, it’s not happening. That’s two draft picks in trouble now if you’re counting, and yes, I know what you’re thinking. This is not the Matt Millen era. But it’s also not nothing.
Quick Hits From the Notebook
Roger McCreary had tight coverage on Amon-Ra St. Brown to stop a touchdown in the red zone drill. Jahmyr Gibbs ran for a touchdown. St. Brown had a touchdown of his own. Brock Wright beat Devin White pretty cleanly in the end zone for a score. Erick Hunter absolutely laid the wood on Jackson Meeks in what might have been reviewed as a forced fumble in a real game.
Ben Stille, a newcomer, had a really nice goal line stop on Jabari Small. Ahmed Hassanein puked in the end zone, which is unfortunately not a typo. Jacob Saylors got in for a touchdown. Rock Ya-Sin had a nice run stop on Jahmyr Gibbs. Tate Ratledge had a really solid run block that sprung Small for an extra five to eight yards.
Khalil Dorsey is still good at gunner. Greg Dortch and Jacob Saylors handled most of the kick returner duties, so that looks like your pair heading into the season.
D.J. Reed Is Running Again
Dan Campbell said he didn’t think D.J. Reed’s groin injury was serious, and we got to see him running off to the side with trainers. He was in uniform and wearing a helmet. That’s good news for a secondary that needs him healthy.
The Easiest Two-Minute Drill Ever
The scenario was less than two minutes left with all three timeouts on their own 48, up 23-20. First and 10, Jacob Saylors lost a yard. Second and 11, Jared Goff hit Jameson Williams for 53 yards. Third and 1, victory formation. That’s how you close out a game.
Or at least how you close out a practice.
So is Sione Vaki cooked or are we overreacting to a couple weeks of camp? Drop your take below.
