Detroit Lions: Who to watch during the first preseason game of 2019
By Bob Heyrman

The Detroit Lions 2019 season officially gets underway tonight as they host the New England Patriots. Yes, it’s just preseason, but it’s the start of a new year. It’s going to be exciting to see the pads cracking in real game action not only on the practice field.
Although it’s just preseason, and preseason tends to last too long; a rant for another day. Two games would be perfect, but it is what it is. Tonight we get a chance to see a few starters play a series or two and plenty of fringe roster players get an opportunity to prove their worth to Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn & head coach Matt Patricia.
I wouldn’t overreact to the results of tonights’ game. Whether the Detroit Lions can blow out the Patriots or perhaps they themselves are left in the dust remember it’s a preseason game and only the first.
We will have a chance to get a look at many of the Detroit Lions draft picks. Tight End T.J. Hockenson will surely be featured tonight, and that will be very exciting to see the ninth overall pick in live-action. A player I’m personally excited to see is wide-receiver Travis Fulgham. The Lions drafted the Old Dominion product with the 184th pick in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft.
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Usually, people aren’t excited too excited about sixth-round picks, but the rookie receiver is trying to make a case to stay as the teams’ fifth wide receiver. He is competing with a host of other players, some with more experience than him. Players like Tommylee Lewis has bounced around a bit throughout the NFL. Also Brandon Powell, Chris Lacy, Andy Jones, and even Jermaine Kearse are all trying to secure a job with the Detroit Lions. Let’s watch the wide-out group closely to see if someone can separate themselves from the pack.
The Detroit Lions offensive line remains potentially the biggest question mark on the roster. Frank Ragnow is moving from left-guard to his natural position of center. He has the potential to be one of the best centers’ in all of football. The biggest concern is both spots beside him, to his immediate left and right. At the moment Kenny Wiggins is projected to get the first crack at the left-guard, but I’d be concerned about that.
Graham Glasgow moving from center to right-guard, I feel better about that than Wiggins, but neither will be a pro-bowl caliber player. The hope is they can be efficient, allowing Matthew Stafford time to survey the field without running for his life. Also, the Lions need to run the football to be successful. Those two guards need to push forward as they run block, they merely can’t just take up space as the backs dance in the backfield looking for a seam. I’m excited to see how the Detroit Lions offensive line battles tonight, whether it’s backups the majority of the night or not.
The defense as a whole is poised to be a top-five group if everyone remains healthy. Jarrad Davis should bounce back after a mediocre first two season as the teams’ middle linebacker. He should find himself with plenty of space playing behind the Detroit Lions tremendous defensive line. Second-round pick Jahlani Tavai is expected to play alongside Davis the majority of the time when the Lions are in two linebacker sets. Look for him to get himself acquainted with some live NFL action.
Other notable roster battles to keep an eye on are Tom Savage & David Fales battling to be Matt Stafford’s primary backup quarterback. The safety battle between Tavon Wilson, Tracy Walker, and Andrew Adams will be a fun competition to keep tabs on. Rashaan Melvin is leading the way to be the starting corner opposite Darius Slay but rookie Amani Oruwariye along with Teez Tabor, Jamal Agnew is trying to pressure for the starting job.
Next. Not Too Early 53-Man Roster Projections. dark
What: New England Patriots at Detroit Lions
When: 7:30 PM Est. Thursday, August 8th, 2019
Where: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
Radio: 760 AM WJR
TV: Fox 2 WJBK
Odds: New England -1.5