DFN Mailbag: Importance of Cowboys game, Martin's potential role, Mahogany's roster odds and more

We’re back after a bye-week hiatus and ready for your Lions questions.

Q: Are there any position groups you think the Lions could target at the trade before the deadline? — Phil Johnson

Justin: In my years as a sports journalist, I’ve found there's always a greater interest in what can be than what is. The most-read stories always center around the draft, free agency, coaching hirings/firings and trades.

So I understand the intrigue around next month's deadline, but consider it a friendly reminder that it’s difficult to find impact mid-stream in football more than other sports. Most positions require an acclimation period to adjust to verbiage and scheme, while establishing workable chemistry with new teammates.

The best moves are when you can acquire a piece with long-term potential, even if it requires a contract extension. A recent example would be Chicago’s addition of Montez Sweat last year. But that franchise and this one are in different places. The Bears were still searching for foundational pieces, while the Lions are built for long-term contention. With the number of big contracts already in place, and more on the docket in the next couple of years, I wouldn’t classify a Sweat-like deal as likely.

You’re more likely to see a move that mirrors the Donovan Peoples-Jones pick-up from a year ago. A versatile, low-cost piece that provides depth at a position where the Lions feel they're lacking. And it’s not easy to readily identify that spot.

I think we can continue to point to edge defender, and given the Lions wouldn't mind a one-trick pony so long as that trick is a powerful bull rush, there’s a possibility a name emerges that wouldn’t cost much more than a Day 3 pick. Still, don’t be surprised if they are content to ride things out with former second-round picks Levi Onwuzurike and Josh Paschal leading the charge.

Q: What are your thoughts about Christian Mahogany’s chances of making the 53? — MrJT

Justin: Without seeing him practice, it’s difficult to gauge where he’s at physically, without blindly relying on second-hand opinions. That said, we know the Lions are committed to the development of their draft picks. They felt fortunate to land Mahogany where they did in the draft and didn’t feel a need to bail on the sixth-round choice during his lengthy bout with mononucleosis.

Given the team has been sitting on an open roster spot for the past couple of weeks, there’s no reason to think space is an immediate issue. Assuming they feel good about where he’s at following his three-week acclimation window, I’d say the odds are pretty high he will be added to the 53, even if he’s inactive on game days in favor of Kayode Awosika for the remainder of the 2024 campaign.

Q: What type of flexibility does an open roster spot provide. Is it more than just holding a spot for someone coming off IR? I know that practice squad elevations don’t take a roster spot but are we full on the PS right now? — Paul Van Randwyk

Justin: It’s a good question. I’d suggest the only meaningful flexibility is not having to unnecessarily add a young player the team likes off its practice squad, only to have to expose them to waivers if an injury situation requires a roster adjustment in the coming weeks.

In other words, they’d prefer to avoid what happened with linebacker Trevor Nowaske last season. They had to cut him shortly after signing him to the active roster, only to see the Cardinals swoop in and snag the linebacker off waivers.

Understand, a player can be poached off the practice squad at any time, but there’s an understood ability of the current team to match the job offer. With waivers, you briefly cede control of the player’s rights.

Q: After hearing about Robert Saleh, I thought about Aaron Glenn as the next Jets head coach and how it would somewhat parallel Dan Campbell’s story. But the Jets ownership looks a lot different from the Lions ownership. How much do you think assistant coaches in Detroit recognize Sheila Hamp’s management style, and do you think that makes them reticent to jump at an opening because they can appreciate good leadership from the ownership where they’re at? — Dave Reimink

Justin: While I believe there’s a strong appreciation for Hamp throughout the organization, I don’t think it would persuade an assistant to stay in Detroit with a lesser title.

The fact remains there are only 32 of those jobs available. They come with unmatched prestige and life-changing financial security. And while there are some situations (cough, Carolina, cough) that merit hesitation, there aren’t many scenarios where I could see Glenn declining a top job if offered.

But given the Jets just fired a defensive coach who actually fielded a great defense, I would anticipate that franchise looking for something different than what Glenn offers.

Q: Did you expect more from Jahmyr Gibbs when it comes to catching the ball out of the backfield or slot? — Dean Pippio

Justin: Yeah, I did, but I also expected Sam LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown to repeat their 2023 production, but both are currently falling short of the bars they’ve set.

But here’s the counter. The Lions offense is averaging nearly 400 yards and 26.0 points per game. They have a lot of weapons, are running the ball better than last year, and are enjoying a breakout performance from Jameson Williams. With the depth of talent, there will be an ebb and flow to the production. Some pieces are up now that will be down later and vice versa.

Will Gibbs’ pass-catching impact ever take that leap into Alvin Kamara territory? I’m increasingly skeptical. I’d say the more immediate concern is increased efficiency with the opportunities, which I’ve written about in the past. That’s a problem for Ben Johnson to solve.

Q: Since Dak Prescott typically shreds man coverage, do you expect Glenn to keep calling mostly zone looks this week? — Josh Dalley

Justin: I’m not sure Prescott is less efficient against zone coverage when he’s at his best. He torched zone looks in the second half of 2023. Similarly, Ceedee Lamb destroys man and zone coverage with near-equal efficiency.

While I can’t say with certainty, I imagine QB mobility impacts the coverage plan for Detroit. Prescott is mobile, but not a significant run threat. He’s only gained 50 or more yards twice in his career, and the last time was five years ago.

Q: We haven’t seen much of Craig Reynold or Sione Vaki this season. Do you think we’ll see either of them get involved in the offense more moving forward? — @LionsFan097

Justin: As long as David Montgomery and Gibbs are healthy and producing, I wouldn't expect to see much of Reynolds. He’s a highly reliable third back, capable of executing as a ball carrier, receiver and blocker, but he’s nowhere near as dynamic as the starting tandem.

As for Vaki, the rookie's explosiveness remains intriguing. I’m sure they’ll want to find ways to situationally work him into the mix, if only hoping to catch an opponent napping on a screen or wheel route from a fullback alignment.

Q: What does the Dallas’ run defense look like in the past two weeks compared to the first three? How will Bland change the game plan if he plays? — Jeff Merrill

Justin: It’s tightened up the past couple weeks, for sure. Cleveland and New Orleans both averaged nearly 5.0 yards per carry the first couple of games, while Baltimore gouged them as Baltimore can for 274 yards on the ground.

The Giants and Steelers, two teams who average under 4.0 yards per carry, had less success in losses to the Cowboys the last two games. The Giants were particularly brutal in their efforts, mustering just 26 yards on 24 carries.

As for Bland, he’s a big-time playmaker. He led the league with nine interceptions last season and has 14 in his first two years. He has a great feel for zone and good route-matching ability in man, with elite anticipation. If you try to force a ball into a tight window against him, you do so acknowledging there’s a good chance he’ll come up with a takeaway.

Q: How important is this matchup? — @LionsFanAccount

Justin: With only 17 games, they’re all important, especially given the Lions already coughed up one loss to an NFC contender earlier this season.

A defeat here obviously doesn’t take Detroit out of contention for their division or the best record in the NFC, but it makes the road a little rockier, particularly with the collectively strong start of the North. It’s shaping up to be a dogfight in December, so falling short in Dallas reduces margin for error later in the year.

Q: In your opinion, what do you see Brodric Martin’s role being when he comes back? — @FantasyLanser

Justin: Martin has to earn his playing time and will need to battle veteran Kyle Peko for it. Against Seattle, that role was a little shy of 30% of Detroit’s defensive reps.

The good news for Martin is Peko isn’t playing particularly well. Plus, it’s worth noting the team left the veteran off the Week 1 roster to avoid guaranteeing his salary for the season. It feels like they’re begging Martin to win this job.

Still, Peko has some established trust with the staff, particularly position coach Tyrell Williams, so it won’t come easy for the second-year tackle.

Q: I know payback is big for us fans. Does it make a difference with the players and coaching staff? — Mark McGregor

Justin: No player was more emotional about the loss last year than Dan Skipper, but even he was rolling his eyes a little bit about the forced revenge narrative.

Players are more concerned with beating Dallas after recent struggles getting past the foe, and the bigger picture of what this game means to the team's goals of winning the division and potentially earning a bye. Very few players are using last year’s officiating fiasco as fuel this week.

Q: Is the James Houston experiment over? — @JackrabbitTroll

Justin: As long as Houston is on the roster, the “experiment” continues. But after he struggled with alignment last week, netting two offside penalties in 14 snaps, I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s back to being a healthy scratch against Dallas.

Trevor Nowaske was given Houston's edge snaps in the late stages against Seattle and was effective with a pocket-crushing style the Lions prefer from that spot.

Q: Do you think Tim Patrick can replace Josh Reynolds now that we have a better sample? — Jefferson Rockwell

Justin: Yes, I’m comfortable with Patrick as a replacement. The missing piece is chemistry with quarterback Jared Goff, but that’s coming along nicely.

Beyond that, Patrick runs a comparable route tree, has excellent hands and he's an eager blocker. He’s nearly a one-to-one fit with a far cheaper price tag. Plus, I find it amusing he fell into the Lions’ laps in part because Reynolds signed with Denver.

Q: Eric Kendricks and Micah Parsons are out. Does that create a bigger advantage for the Lions’ passing or running game? — David McCluskey

Justin: Why not both? But if I had to pick one, it’s not particularly difficult. It’s the pass game. Parsons is a game-wrecker off the edge.

Q: With the Tigers doing so well, do you think there is merit to ‘city energy’? Does the Lions’ recent success play into expectations for the other three franchises? — Jacob Schans

Justin: While it would be nice to believe the vibes are contagious, the situation here feels more like the overlapping emergence of young talent accumulated during rebuilds.

All four Detroit pro franchises went through the valley together, changing leadership and amassing draft picks. The Lions hit first because young players have more of an immediate impact in the NFL. And we’re now seeing the development of the Tigers and Red Wings’ talent catching up.

It would be nice of the Pistons to join the party, but they haven’t had nearly as much success in the draft. Maybe Jaden Ivey and Ausar Thompson make the leap in 2024.