Top-graded Lions in preseason win over Chiefs

We’re down to just one week left in the preseason after the Detroit Lions eked out a 24-23 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday.

With roster cutdowns looming, it was an important game for several players.

Here’s a look at the top-graded Lions, according to Pro Football Focus, in the second preseason game.

Related: 5 Lions who stood out in preseason win over Chiefs

Offense

• LG Jamarco Jones — 86.0
• QB Hendon Hooker — 83.3
• WR Tom Kennedy — 82.1
• WR Isaiah Williams — 76.6
• RB Zonovan Knight — 70.8
• RG Michael Niese — 70.1
• WR Maurice Alexander — 70.0
• WR Jalon Calhoun — 68.1
• RB Craig Reynolds — 68.1
• RB Sione Vaki — 67.0

Meanwhile, the lowest-graded Lions on offense were RB Jake Funk (38.9), C Kingsley Eguakun (49.6), QB Nate Sudfeld (50.5), WR Donovan Peoples-Jones (51.1) and TE James Mitchell (52.3).

After having his first preseason game cut short by injury, Hooker had a nice showing on Saturday. Yes, Sudfeld had to play against Kansas City’s starters and did have some nice moments himself but it certainly wasn’t all pretty, and that’s after a rough game against the Giants, so that competition will be worth watching the rest of the way. The veteran will need to have some more highlights if he’s going to top Hooker.

Vaki, meanwhile, continues to flash in his limited opportunities. Yes, he’s fourth at best on the depth chart but he’s doing what he needs to do to earn a spot. He had six carries for 22 yards plus four catches for 60 yards on Saturday. He also had a special teams tackle.

Finally, the wide receiver race is really crowded heading into the final week, now. Peoples-Jones didn’t have a great showing, nor did Tre’Quan Smith, but Isaiah Williams, Tom Kennedy and Maurice Alexander did. Add in Daurice Fountain and Calhoun and it’s a big week ahead for the wide receiver room.

Defense

• LB Abraham Beauplan — 90.1
• S Loren Strickland — 84.1
• LB Ben Niemann — 82.6
• LB Ty Summers — 79.2
• DE Josh Paschal — 78.7
• CB Khalil Dorsey — 77.3
• CB Kindle Vildor — 75.4
• LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin — 72.1
• CB Amik Robertson — 65.4
• LB Mitchell Agude — 62.7

Meanwhile, the lowest-graded Lions defenders were LB Malik Jefferson (27.1), DE Mathieu Betts (39.0), LB Isaac Ukwu (40.9), DT Chris Smith (44.2) and S C.J. Moore (47.0).

How about Beauplan and Summers showing out less than a full week after joining the team. The performances of Strickland, Paschal, Vildor and Robertson were also nice to see as they’re all tracking in the right direction.

Ukwu was great against the Giants but had some struggles against the Chiefs, although he did record another sack.

Although they finished more middle-of-the-pack in their grades, Brodric Martin looked solid while Mekhi WIngo also got the start and did register one hurry in 29 snaps but otherwise was pretty quiet on the day.

The Lions will now finish up the preseason next Saturday at 1 p.m. (ET) hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers.