The Detroit Lions have two preseason games coming up, but many questions remain unanswered as the regular season approaches.

We often start training camp with a rough idea of ​​how the roster battles will play out, but nothing is set in stone until the inevitable cut day arrives. Until then, many of these players are fighting for their spot on the roster – and their professional careers. Each season, many players rise above themselves and earn a spot on the 53-man roster. On the other end of the spectrum, many players fail to make it to the point of being dropped from the roster altogether.

With little time left to assess the squad, the question arises as to which players particularly stood out in training camp and preseason.

Today’s question of the day is:

Which Lions players have impressed or disappointed you the most so far?

My answers: Brandon Joseph as the most impressive and Donovan Peoples-Jones as the most disappointing.

The Lions have had many strong performances in the preseason and training camp so far, including Kyle Peko (who got a rest for every preseason game), Isaiah Williams (who is making it difficult for the Lions to cut), and Parker Hesse (who has gone from a training camp player to a strong candidate to play fullback and backup tight end). The most surprising player to me, however, was safety Brandon Joseph.

In my 53-man post-draft roster prediction, I had Joseph as the fourth safety on the roster, but before the signing of CJ Moore. I wasn’t sure about that selection, and it seemed likely that the Lions would bring in a capable veteran to bolster the group. Instead, it was Joseph who stood out and justified the coaching staff’s faith. With Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch not playing in the second preseason against the Kansas City Chiefs, he and Ifeatu Melifonwu were the first safeties on the field. Joseph may have fallen victim to a trick play by Patrick Mahomes, but he rebounded by forcing a fumble later in the drive — but it bounced into the Chiefs’ arms. Joseph has made good plays on defense throughout training camp, and in the event of an injury, I’m always more confident with him as a backup.

I’m not convinced about Donovan Peoples-Jones, however. I’m not going to beat a dead horse by discussing the failures of an outside receiver trying to emerge as a WR3 or WR4 candidate, but of all the candidates, Peoples-Jones’ inability to secure an easy roster spot is the most disappointing. Unlike Daurice Fountain or Kaden Davis, he has a respectable NFL receiving record (1,895 career yards). Unlike Isaiah Williams, he has the size the Lions are looking for to replace Josh Reynolds.

When the Lions failed to sign a capable receiver as a free agent or select one in the 2024 NFL Draft, Peoples-Jones seemed assured of a spot on the roster. Sure, he only managed 58 receiving yards with the Lions last season, but that was probably a trial period—they obviously liked him enough to sign a contract worth over $2 million.

But after two preseason games and several practices, the consensus about Peoples-Jones is that he hasn’t done enough, and he’s struggled to stand out from his opponents and peers. Peoples-Jones only made Jeremy and Erik’s recent 53-man roster predictions because no one else has stepped up at outside receiver, and the veteran tied the score.

Which Lions players have caught your eye so far in the preseason, both good and bad? Let us know in the comments below.