How Jackson retiring could effect Dylan Drummond's chances
The Detroit Lions surprised everyone on Thursday with the news of Justin Jackson's retirement. Jackson was expected to nail down a roster spot with the Lions at running back three. More importantly to this story, he was expected to be the Lions kick returner again. Now that he's gone, his absence could really shake up […]
The Detroit Lions surprised everyone on Thursday with the news of Justin Jackson's retirement. Jackson was expected to nail down a roster spot with the Lions at running back three. More importantly to this story, he was expected to be the Lions kick returner again.
Now that he's gone, his absence could really shake up the Lions roster. More specifically, it could shake up the chance that undrafted rookie receiver Dylan Drummond has to make the roster.
Drummond has been a great underdog story as of late. A kid that went undrafted and didn't receive an invite to any camps. He got one tryout with the Lions and nailed it. Now he has a chance to make the 53 man roster. The problem is that Justin Jackson's retirement may have just posed a serious threat to that. Here's why.
The Lions are more than likely going to bring in six receivers on 53 man roster. Five of those spots are shored up by Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kalif Raymond, Marvin Jones, Denzel Mims and Josh Reynolds. That leaves one spot left with Drummond, Antione Green, Maurice Alexander, Trinity Benson and Trey Quinn fighting for it.
Drummond being able to help out on special teams really helped him make sure that he could get the spot. The problem is that Drummond isn't a return man. Maurice Alexander showed last preseason that he can hold down that role and do it pretty well. That might help him edge Drummond out.
Interestingly enough, the Lions did try Drummond out at kick returner for the first time on Wednesday, so it's clear they really like the kid, but will he do a good enough job to make sure he can make the 53 man roster over the practice squad? We'll have to see more.
The Lions play their first preseason game of the year against the Giants on Friday night, we should get some answers right away when we see who the Lions try out at kick returner. If Drummond is one of those guys and looks good doing it, he might cement a spot on the roster. If not, then there's going to be a lot of questions over the next few weeks about whether or not there's spot for him.
Featured image by Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
