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Lions PFF Grades: Who Rose and Who Fell?
The Detroit Lions are coming off their first victory of the preseason, defeating the Washington Commanders 17-13. While the preseason results ultimately do not mean much, the performances are important for players fighting for roster spots.
With many fans paying close attention to Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades, let’s break down how Detroit’s quarterbacks, wide receivers and running backs performed in the team’s second preseason game.
Luke Altmyer and Josh Dobbs were the two quarterbacks to take the field for Detroit on Saturday.
Altmyer played 39 snaps, including 18 passing plays. He led the Lions in passing, completing 9 of 13 attempts for 86 yards while posting an 87.3 quarterback rating.
However, Altmyer was under pressure throughout the game and was sacked four times.
Despite the sacks, Altmyer finished with a 67.0 overall PFF grade and a 67.3 passing grade, giving him the ninth-best offensive grade on the team.
Altmyer continues to battle for a roster spot behind Dobbs, and while he still has areas to clean up, his performance showed some encouraging signs.
Dobbs had a much more impactful day on the ground.
His biggest play came on a read-option when he pulled the football and raced 50 yards for a touchdown. The explosive run helped give Detroit’s offense a spark and showed the athleticism Dobbs can bring to the position despite being 31 years old.
Through the air, however, Dobbs struggled. He completed 7 of 12 passes for 74 yards and threw an interception. He was also sacked once and finished with a 41.7 quarterback rating.
PFF gave Dobbs a 52.0 overall grade and a 38.6 passing grade, which was the fifth-worst offensive grade on the team.
Wide Receivers
Jackson Meeks was arguably the biggest standout among Detroit’s skill-position players.
The hybrid wide receiver/tight end finished with an impressive 81.7 overall PFF grade, which was the highest offensive grade on the Lions.
Tom Kennedy also impressed despite seeing limited action. Kennedy played just seven snaps but finished with a 76.4 overall grade.
Cedrick Wilson had a similar performance, earning a 76.2 grade while playing only five snaps. Unfortunately, Wilson suffered an injury and was ultimately placed on injured reserve.
Malik Cunningham also put together a solid performance. He played 15 snaps and finished with a 69.3 PFF grade, which ranked seventh among Detroit offensive players.
Meanwhile, Lucky Jackson played 24 snaps and earned a 66.0 grade. Tay Martin played 31 snaps and finished with a 57.9 grade.
Jackson, Martin, Kennedy and Cunningham are all competing for what could be the final wide receiver spot on Detroit’s 53-man roster, making their preseason performances particularly important.
Two players expected to make the roster, Greg Dortch and Isaac TeSlaa, did not receive strong grades from PFF.
Dortch finished with a 54.0 overall grade in just seven snaps. TeSlaa played 27 snaps and finished with a 52.9 grade. He also failed to receive a single target throughout the game.
Running Backs
The Lions’ running back room has plenty of competition, particularly with Isaiah Pacheco working his way back from injury.
While the running backs did not produce the highest PFF grades on the offensive side, their performances remain important as Detroit determines how many backs it wants to carry into the regular season.
With the 53-man roster deadline approaching, every preseason snap matters. Detroit has several players competing for limited roster spots, and PFF’s grades provide another interesting way to evaluate who is trending up and who may need a strong final preseason performance.
Overall, the Lions had several encouraging performances from their skill-position players against Washington, but there were also some players who will need to bounce back before the regular season begins.
PFFLionsOneThe Detroit LionsWashington CommandersWhileWithPro Football FocusDetroit’sLuke AltmyerJosh DobbsDetroit
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