Detroit Lions Mailbag: After 3 weeks, which rookie is primed for a breakout season?
Answering some of Lions fans biggest questions right now
We’re three weeks into training camp and just a day away from the next preseason game. How about we answer some questions about the goings on with the Detroit Lions in Allen Park these days?
Like Aidan Hutchinson, Barnes looks like he hasn’t missed a beat coming off his injury from last season. With Jack Campbell looking like he’s taking the next big step, Alex Anzalone being solid still, and Barnes continuing to get better every year, this linebacker corps could be one of the best, if not the best, in the NFL in 2025. When they get Malcolm Rodriguez back in November, it gets even better.
I definitely think the Lions’ early struggles on offense in camp are related to the offensive line. Taylor Decker is slowly working back in, so it’s been Dan Skipper at left tackle mostly. Then two new guards in Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany, and a new center in Graham Glasgow. The group needs to gel together. The good news is that they still have a month to do that.
Right now, it’s a tie between Isaac TeSlaa and Ahmed Hassanein. For TeSlaa, he’s slowly climbing up the depth chart, and I think that by the start of the season, he should be jumping over Tim Patrick and landing that WR3 role. His blocking, speed, and catching ability are too good to overlook right now. Hassanein just gets better every day, and he is such a sponge out there. He’s soaking up what everyone is telling him, and you can see him trying to perfect it on every rep.
As for Hutchinson, people think I’m just saying stuff or that I’m towing the company line for the Lions or something. That’s not it. This guy looks like a monster right now. There is every reason to believe that he would take a step back, and somehow, he looks better than he was last summer.
You can really feel it in the air right now, and you can see it on the field. There hasn’t been the type of physicality that we’re seeing right now before. These guys want to win a Super Bowl. That’s the base level of mindsets right now. It’s what everyone wants, and it’s what everyone keeps talking about. You get the sense that they’re tired of coming up short and they’re ready to do whatever it takes ot make it happen.
Mindset is great, but the Lions still have to put it on the field and stay healthy and ride the wave of the season and do all the right things. Some luck would help, too.
I’ve had Horton penciled in as the third tight end since rookie minicamp. I really think his ability to play fullback and work on special teams is going to get him on the roster. As for Kennelly, I see a practice squad spot for him. The loss of Dan Jackson for the season does give him a chance, but he has to beat out Erik Hallett, Loren Strickland, and Morice Norris to get that spot. It’s not going to be easy at all. But I do think that if he keeps showing good stuff, there’s no reason to believe he can’t make it next summer.
What's your feeling on if the Lions look to sign another QB if Friday's game isn't an improvement over the HOF game? Do they go unproven like Perkins (Michigan Panthers QB), or someone with more of a pedigree like Wentz?
— El Mago is back! (@michagain.bsky.social) August 6, 2025 at 4:46 PM
My first thought is that it’s going to take a pretty bad game from both guys to get the Lions to go shopping on this one. If they both come out and show some good stuff, the Hall of Fame game will be quickly forgotten about. I think the Lions really want to give Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen more time.
But if they did go looking for a quarterback, it would likely be someone on the veteran side of things, like a Carson Wentz or Andy Dalton. A guy like that. The problem is that they’re not all just hanging around waiting for a team to sign them. Wentz is, but it is interesting that he hasn’t signed anywhere, and it gives off the vibe that he might be done playing. Perkins would be fun, but at this point, you need to find someone with a ton of NFL experience.
Is Bex the ??
— George Kittle’s #1 Fan (@beastfball.bsky.social) August 6, 2025 at 5:19 PM
That’s a weird way to spell Stephanie Vaquer’s name. She’s the best women’s wrestler on the planet right now if you ask me. Becky Lynch is overrated.
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