Predicting the Detroit Lions' starting offense for matchup vs. Jaguars
On Saturday afternoon (click here for game details), the Detroit Lions will continue their 2023 preseason schedule when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ford Field. Earlier in the week, Lions' head coach Dan Campbell spoke to reporters and he said that the starters and some key rookies will not be playing in the game. Knowing that many of the starters some rookies will get the day off, we thought we would try to predict what the starting offense will look like against the Jaguars.
What did Dan Campbell Say?
Here is what Campbell said earlier in the week about who will play in Saturday's game.
“Another reason we do these (joint practices) is that I feel like you’ve got two great days of work, banked a lot of reps, and so I don’t see us playing these starters this week. I don’t see it,” Campbell said via 97.1 The Ticket.
“We’re going to sit that core group again and let some of these young guys go. There may be a few select rookies we don’t play. We’ll see where we’re at there as well. But I think that’s the benefit of having (joint practices).”
Predicting the Detroit Lions' starting offense
Here is my best guess at the Detroit Lions‘ starting offense against the Jaguars:
- QB – Nate Sudfeld
- RB – Craig Reynolds
- WR – Kalif Raymond
- WR – Antoine Greene
- WR – Dylan Drummond
- TE – Brock Wright
- LT — Obinna Eze
- LG — Kayode Awosika
- C — Brad Cecil
- RG — Colby Sorsdal
- RT — Matt Nelson
Predicting Which Veteran Offensive Players Will Not Play
This prediction is based on the assumption that the following starters and rookies will not play in Saturday's game:
- QB – Jared Goff
- RB – David Montgomery
- RB – Jahmyr Gibbs
- WR – Amon-Ra St. Brown
- WR – Josh Reynolds
- WR – Marvin Jones Jr.
- LT — Taylor Decker
- LG — Jonah Jackson
- C — Frank Ragnow
- RG — Halapoulivaati Vaitai
- RT — Penei Sewell
- G/C — Graham Glasgow
TL;DR (too long didn't read)
- Limited Starter Participation:
- The Detroit Lions are gearing up for their second preseason game. Lions' head coach Dan Campbell has already signaled that the team's starters, and some rookies, will not be participating in this game.
- Predicted Starting Offense:
- In light of the announcement that the starters, and some rookies, will be sitting out, predictions for the Detroit Lions' starting offense against the Jaguars have been put forward. This includes players like Nate Sudfeld at QB, Craig Reynolds at RB, and a series of wide receivers and linemen like Kalif Raymond, Dylan Drummond, and Brock Wright, among others.
- Starters/Select Rookies Expected to Rest
- The predictions are based on the assumption that several key veteran players, including Jared Goff (QB), Jahmyr Gibbs (RB), Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR), and several others in offensive lineman positions like Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell, will not be seeing playtime in the upcoming match.
Bottom Line: Proving Ground
After the Lions conducted two joint practices with the Jaguars earlier this week, Coach Dan Campbell decided to give his starters and certain rookies a break. This opens up a prime opportunity for newcomers and those vying for a spot on the 53-man roster to stand out.
