ALLEN PARK -- Training camp is over and the preseason is entering its final days, so MLive’s Dungeon of Doom podcast is debating some of the toughest roster decisions ahead.
Hosts Kory Woods and Ben Raven also recap Detroit Lions-Houston Texans joint practices from Thursday. It was a much more back-and-forth affair than it was last week with the Miami Dolphins in town.
Hendon Hooker and the decision on whether to keep the quarterback is a main talking point heading into this weekend. Kyle Allen has all but locked up the QB2 position, pairing a strong camp with back-to-back strong preseason showings, as well. Hooker would have to be the third quarterback on the roster after not winning the job as many expected entering camp. This development tightens the roster bubble even more, as the defensive line and edge defender needs more depth to open the season.
The Dungeon of Doom hosts ultimately leaned toward different approaches -- Raven leaning toward cutting Hooker outright, while Woods showed more hesitation -- but both acknowledged the tricky decision facing Detroit’s front office.
Raven’s argument centers on Detroit’s championship window:
“I don’t care that they traded up to get Hendon Hooker. I don’t care that he was a third-round pick. This is a Super bowl window. You are facing depth issues at the same depth issue spots you did last year on the edge and I think you need to keep some of these guys who have started popping, whether it’s (Isaac) Ukwu, whether it’s (Nate) Lynn, whether it’s Keith Cooper Jr., whether it’s all three. I would prioritize those guys over keeping Hendon Hooker.”
BetMGMhas Lions +1.5 listed at -110 for their Week 1 matchup versus the Packers. Our completeBetMGM Sportsbook reviewprovides a guide on how to register and navigate through theirs ite. For a full look at all of thebest Lions Week 1 odds, check out our expert insights.
Raven believes Lions general manager Brad Holmes will opt to keep Hooker, and Woods agreed with that thinking due to the cost-friendly contract for two years. That said, the defensive depth is a necessity, and nobody knows that better than Holmes and the Lions after what happened last season.
To listen to the full Dungeon of Doom podcast episode after Lions-Texans joint practices, with a discussion on bubble players we’re watching in the preseason finale, see below:
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.