Stock Up: Amon-Ra St. Brown
Any questions that fans had about whether or not Amon-Ra St. Brown would be able to keep up the production he had last season were answered this week, and that answer is a resounding yes. Even with a healthy D’andre Swift, TJ Hockenson, and new addition DJ Chark, St. Brown is still the undisputed number one pass catching option on this offense. With an ability to seemingly be open every play, the second year receiver has been spectacular through two weeks of action. With 17 catches, 180 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, St. Brown looks to be a true WR1 coming out of the slot. He also has a chance to make history next week in Minnesota, and become the first player to ever have nine consecutive games with 8+ receptions.
Stock Down: TJ Hockenson
Lions fans need to stop pushing the idea that TJ Hockenson is a top-5 tight end. TJ Hockenson has certainly not lived up to the hype of a top 10 selection back in The 2019 NFL Draft. Hockenson was going into 2022 hoping to put up big numbers, looking for a contract extension this offseason. His numbers this season have been that of a replacement level tight end, 7 catches for just 64 yards. Instead of being a dominator in the middle of the field, Hockenson is barely a top-4 option on this offense. Hockenson pulled in a 50.4 PFF grade in week two, and has regressed as a run blocker since past seasons. Hockenson needs to produce this season, or we may simply just let him hit the open market.
Stock Up: Jeff Okudah
Okudah has been playing at an elite level in the first two weeks of the 2022 season. Allowing one catch in week one, and playing great against one of the leagues’ best receivers in Terry McLaurin in week two, he is certainly living up to the hype of being a top-5 pick in The 2020 NFL Draft. On Sunday, Okudah allowed just 3 catches for 33 yards, while also notching 5 tackles. Okudah has the makings of a true alpha CB1, and will have a major test next weekend against Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson.
Stock Up: The Lions Run Game
The Lions have relied heavily on the run game through two weeks of action, and players like D’andre Swift and Jamaal Williams have not disappointed. The Lions are first in the NFL in yards per carry with 7.2 YPC, as well as third in yards per game with 186 yards per game. Even with a hobbled D’andre Swift and several missing pieces on the offensive line, The Detroit Lions feasted against one of the best defensive lines in the league. Players like Craig Reynolds and even Amon-Ra St. Brown has contributed, and should continue to dominate against a weak Minnesota run defense in week three.
Stock Down: Logan Stenberg
Halapoulivaati Vaitai can’t get back from IR soon enough. The third year guard has been easily The Detroit Lions’ worst player on offense this season. Even though he’s a back up, guys like Dan Skipper and Evan Brown came in last week and played very well against Washington. In both week one and week two, Stenberg has posted the worst PFF grade on offense, and let up a horrible sack to Da’Ron Payne of The Commanders.
