Detroit Lions: Best case scenarios for each offensive rookie
Rookies on Offense (continued)
Logan Stenberg, OG
6-6, 317 pound guard from Kentucky, drafted in the fourth round (121st overall)
Best Case for 2020: From a team standpoint, I’m not sure two rookie guards protecting Matthew Stafford’s career would be a very good look. Individually, Stenberg’s best case would be to outplay Jonah Jackson for a starting spot alongside Joe Dahl.
Most Likely Role: The Lions traded up for Jackson and took him a round sooner, so based on that, they’re expecting Jackson to be the better player. Stenberg should make the team, but will most likely begin the season as a rotational guy on the line.
Quintez Cephus
6-1, 207 pound receiver out of Wisconsin, drafted in the fifth round (166th overall)
Best Case for 2020: Cephus outplays Geronimo Allison (as well as Chris Lacy and Travis Fulgham) and takes the number four or five spot on the receiving depth chart. Neither his size or speed jumps out at you for the NFL, but his 38.5 vertical does. Before the draft, he drew high praise from Jeff Okudah, who called Cephus the best receiver he faced in college.
Most Likely Role: I’d love to be proven wrong, but I don’t see Cephus leaving a huge dent in 2020. An already deep receiver corps becomes even more so when you factor in rumors about Jamal Agnew changing positions and whispers of hybrid tight end Hunter Bryant emerging as a possible dark horse.
Jason Huntley
5-9, 193 pound running back/kick returner from New Mexico State, drafted in the fifth round (172nd overall)
Best Case for 2020: Huntley plays a situational gadget role in the backfield, similar to JD McKissic a year ago, and his dynamic speed and skill as a returner make him a valuable presence on special teams.
Most Likely Role: If he loses out both to Ty Johnson as the fourth running back and Jamal Agnew as the top return man, it would probably land Huntley on the practice squad. However, and I can’t back this up with anything, my thought is that he’ll do just enough in one of those two areas to justify a spot on the active roster.