The Detroit Lions have wrapped up their two joint practices with the Miami Dolphins, and I have to say that it was a lot of fun watching these two pretty different teams go at it.

The Lions take these joint practices seriously for the starters and everyone else because it’s live reps in scenarios that they can control and want to work on. Some players’ stock went up this week, and others went down. Let’s talk about it.

Stock Up

Amon-Ra St. Brown

This guy has always been good, and we know that, but this was a masterclass in how to play receiver. St. Brown beat poor Jack Jones up and down the field for two days, and when they tried to cover him with a different corner, he just beat that guy up and down the field.

He was making insane catches and doing spin moves — it was just something. His stock was already way up, but now it’s even higher.

Sione Vaki

The thought process, for me at least, is that when you look at the way David Montgomery’s contract is structured, you see a way out sooner than later. That’s because the eventual idea is to have Vaki be that second punch in the Lions’ one-two punch backfield at some point.

These joint practices proved how real that can be because Vaki looked outstanding all week. He had big chunk runs of 10 yards or more, multiple red zone touchdowns, and then some solid kick returns for good measure. It was an impressive showing for him.

Grant Stuard

I can’t believe I’m saying this because I was so against it at first, but I get it with him at kick returner now. He can do it. Do I think he needs to do it every time? No, I don’t, but I saw enough this week to think that it could happen.

The moment that showed it was possible was when he had a big 90-plus-yard kick return touchdown, which allowed him to show his speed. It got called back for a personal foul, but it wasn’t his fault. I want so badly to see the Lions try him at fullback. He also played linebacker pretty well, which we already knew he could do.

Amik Roberston

This was a strong week for Robertson. It seemed like every time a Tua Tagovailoa pass got batted down, I was writing in my notes that it was Robertson’s doing. There was really strong coverage from all of the Lions’ starting corners against the Dolphins, but it was their nickel who stood out the most to me.

Ronnie Bell

This wasn’t the first time I was like, “Wait, is Ronnie Bell making this team?” Ahead of the Lions’ game against the Falcons, Bell started sticking out more and more in practice. He just kept making catches and plays. Then, against Atlanta, he walked out with an 83.6 grade after showing tremendous run blocking and picking up a few catches.

That sixth receiver spot, which seemed like it could go to a rookie, has not been decided yet. The former Wolverine might be able to snag it if he keeps this up.

Stock Down

Hendon Hooker

It’s hard not to see this one being over. I looked through all my notes twice, and I couldn’t find one positive thing that Hooker did in these joint practices. Granted, I couldn’t find any bad things, either. But being unmemorable is certainly not what you want to be when you’re trying to win a roster spot. Kyle Allen wasn’t lighting the Dolphins up, but I at least had some notes on him making some solid throws, like one he had to Kalif Raymond for a first down that turned into more after a helmet-to-helmet penalty.

After last Friday and Campbell’s presser on Monday, Hooker needed to show something this week, and he unfortunately didn’t. It just puts him further behind the 8-ball.

Dominic Lovett

Early on, the seventh-round pick was showing us something. It seemed like if he kept impressing, there was a small chance he could supplant Kalif Raymond for the kick returner spot and get offense reps. Then the Hall of Fame game wasn’t a great night, and he got hurt after that. Since then, everyone has just kind of passed him by. Players like Bell and Jackson Meeks have taken advantage of Lovett’s struggles and injury, showing up time and again. There’s still some time for Lovett, but right now, he’s gone from a possible big role to a practice squad option who might have to wait till next year to get his chance.

Mason Miller

It’s never good to be a player who’s been at camp all summer long and then get moved down in favor of a player who’s been here a couple of days. That’s what happened when the Lions moved Miller to the third team and then new tackle Gunner Britton to the second team. That might spell the end for the rookie.

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