Stock report: Lions QBs head in opposite directions, while a UDFA WR and two UFL transplants among those who popped
Here are 18 players or things trending up, down and staying level coming out of the Detroit Lions’ preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons, which was suspended in the fourth quarter with the Lions ahead 17-10.
Stock up: Quarterback Kyle Allen
Allen was going to need to significantly outperform the incumbent to be seriously considered for Detroit’s backup job. What the veteran showed against the Atlanta Falcons could have the scales tipping in his favor.
Entering the game with a little more than five minutes remaining in the second quarter, Allen immediately went to work with a five-play, 80-yard touchdown drive that featured a 68-yard deep shot and a pretty 11-yard touchdown toss.
Allen helped the offense net points on three of four series, with the exception coming at the end of the first half, when the Lions took possession at their 17-yard line with 30 seconds remaining.
On the night, Allen finished 7-of-8 for 120 yards, two touchdowns and no turnovers. That puts the pressure on the other contender for the job, especially after he stumbled as the starter in this contest.
Stock down: Quarterback Hendon Hooker
After describing his preseason debut as a 0-out-of-10 performance, Hooker operated at a decidedly better level against the Falcons, completing 70% of his throws and scrambling for 27 yards.
However, any positive progress was washed away by an inability to take care of the football. Hooker lost a fumble on Detroit’s opening possession, made worse by the fact that he bailed from his pocket prematurely. Yes, there was a facemask grab that was missed, but that doesn’t excuse putting the ball on the ground.
Maybe you could live with a single turnover, but Hooker coughed it up a second time after leading the Lions into the red zone. This one popped free after his offensive tackle was beaten around the outside.
After the second giveaway, Hooker got an early hook in favor of Allen.
Stock up: Wide receiver Jackson Meeks
Meeks didn’t do Hooker any favors early, dropping a well-placed third-down throw across the middle. But the undrafted rookie receiver, who has impressed all camp, authoritatively rebounded from the miscue.