5 Detroit Lions players to watch during preseason opener vs. Giants
4. WR Kade Davis
3. WR Daurice Fountain
Doubling up here with two candidates to win a spot on the Lions' wide receiver depth chart. Fountain has been an early star of Lions' training camp, as he makes a push for a roster spot after spending last year on the Lions' practice squad.
But Davis should not be overlooked. He parlayed an invite to Lions' rookie minicamp into being signed to the 90-man roster, and he stood out during OTAs and minicamp. He has been getting some run with the No. 1 offense
During Tuesday's joint practice against the Giants, Davis had a 50-yard touchdown catch from Jared Goff.
— Justin Rogers | Detroit Football Network (@Justin_Rogers) August 6, 2024
Davis had another touchdown on Tuesday, as captured in the team's Twitter post with highlights from the day.
🎥 from Day 2 of joint practice! pic.twitter.com/Ey70dinlHD
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) August 6, 2024
Davis played for the Michigan Panthers in the USFL, working as a return man with the new kickoff format in the NFL. Special teams is a path for him to make the Lions' 53-man roster, but barring a notable addition Davis also has a path to a prominent role on the receiver depth chart.
It's clear the Lions' coaching staff needs to see more from the competition to be the No. 3 wide receiver, with Donovan Peoples-Jones appearing to fade to the point he's more likely to be cut than make the roster at this point. Opportunity will knock a little louder in a game setting Thursday, so we'll see if Fountain and/or Davis seizes it.