Stock report: Lions WR Tom Kennedy again proves to be ‘Mr. Dependable’ in preseason

DETROIT -- Welcome to another preseason where Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy’s stock is trending up after the first game. Kennedy had a game-high eight catches on 12 targets for 104 yards in Detroit’s 27-23 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night.

Kennedy made the right side of this list after last year’s preseason opener too. And Lions head coach Dan Campbell isn’t surprised to see him trending in the right direction this time of year.

“Yeah, I would just say I’m not surprised,” Campbell said. “That’s Tom Kennedy. He’s just dependable, that’s all he is just dependable. He’s just very dependable, that’s all he is.”

See below for a rundown of players who are trending up and those who are trending down after Detroit’s preseason-opening loss:

Trending up:

WR Tom Kennedy

Tom Kennedy did a little bit of everything while playing a ton of snaps against the Falcons. The former lacrosse pro moved the chains a ridiculous seven times on those eight receptions. Kennedy had first-down catches on three third-down plays, including a 23-yarder on a late second-and-17. That’s the type of stuff that shows up. Kennedy made plays when the Lions needed it most, with both backup quarterbacks looking his way more times than not.

TE Devin Funchess

This was a needed performance from someone looking to make their return to pro football at a new position after a long time away. Devin Funchess hadn’t put too many positives into existence out at training camp. But then he caught all four targets for 19 yards and one touchdown against the Falcons. That touchdown catch was a blast from the past, with the former red-zone maven at Michigan making plays where it matters most. Funchess flashed some athleticism, too, hurdling a defender in the open field while fighting for extra yardage. T.J. Hockenson and rookie James Mitchell didn’t play in this one, so it’s always positive to see someone take advantage of an opportunity.

“I told everybody, -- ‘I’d try to put a show on today for them,’” Funchess said after the game. “Coach put me in great positions. I had fun out there, a new position, so I’m just enjoying the process everybody in my tight end room they got me prepared for everything as far as the run calls, the blocking, and everything, so I’m just grateful for the room that I’m in and grateful for the opportunity to play behind us.”

The first-team offense

Detroit opened with a 10-play scoring drive that went 79 yards in about five minutes. It was a short but sweet showing for the first-team offense. The offensive line had no problem creating running lanes or keeping Jared Goff safe in the pocket. The starting quarterback looked crisp, picking up where he left off with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Goff threw only four times but connected on three of those attempts for 47 yards. First-year offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s group looked crisp. And that’s a far cry from where this team opened last year.

DL Austin Bryant

Austin Bryant looks strong and fast. That’s how he’s looked in Allen Park, which translated to Ford Field for the preseason opener. Bryant and rookie Aidan Hutchinson’s pressure was impressive on the opening drive. And while there were some blips against the running game. It’s hard to miss Bryant’s growth over the past couple of weeks.

WR Kalif Raymond

Kalif Raymond just keeps showing up. The speedy wideout has had an impressive training camp and he didn’t look too shabby against the Falcons. Raymond caught a beautiful deep ball from Tim Boyle in stride, showing some of his growth as a receiver. It’ll be interesting to see how Raymond’s role evolves with the team’s restocked receiver room. But he’ll have one.

Trending down:

Linebackers

There were some bright moments. But the concerns with the linebacker situation around these parts proved valid, at least after Game 1 in the preseason. Falcons quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Marcus Mariota ate this group up, whether on the run or making throws after evading pressure out of the pocket. The linebackers were poor coming up against the run and were slow to recover when things veered from the plan. Mariota ran three times for 23 yards and one touchdown. He completed both of his passes for 36 yards. Ridder took off six times for a game-high 59 yards. The rookie hit 10-of-22 passes for 103 yards and two scores. The Lions don’t have a mobile quarterback for this group to practice against, which is something to watch with Jalen Hurts and the Eagles coming to town for Week 1.

“As we start getting closer to Philly we will be working those things,” Campbell said. “But it was good for us tonight because it was a re-emphasis on what they’re going to do and how they’re going to attack us.”

QB Tim Boyle

Give Tim Boyle props for a beautiful deep ball to Raymond and that red-zone touchdown toss to Funchess. But it was another inconsistent day. Boyle was nine-of-16 passing for 111 yards with one touchdown and one interception. He was off the mark on more than a handful of attempts. And that jump-pass interception was a rookie-level mistake for the five-year pro.

David Blough didn’t light the world on fire by any means. He completed 18 passes on 28 attempts for 141 yards, adding four scrambles for a team-high 22 rushing yards. But Blough looked more mobile, accurate and composed in the pocket in the preseason opener. Blough also lost that late fumble, leading to Atlanta’s go-ahead touchdown, so it wasn’t a glowing day for the backup quarterbacks.

“I’m not displeased with those guys, at all,” Campbell said. “You just wish you would have had those couple plays and so do they that’s the reality. But it is certainly something they can build off, we can.”

RB Godwin Igwebuike

Godwin Igwebuike didn’t see a kickoff return and had only three carries for 4 yards. He didn’t work into the running back rotation until late in the game. Justin Jackson is a name to watch behind D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Jackson. The veteran running back has proved productive despite some injury issues plaguing his career. Jackson ran three times for 11 yards and also didn’t see action until late. Igwebuike won the heart of coaches with special teams play last year, so we’ll see how his role develops in these exhibition games.

CB Cedric Boswell

That go-ahead touchdown pass was a tough learning moment for the undrafted rookie cornerback. It’s tough putting his name on this list for that play. Still, Ridder took some extra time to get out of the pocket to avoid pressure. The rookie quarterback let it rip while on the move, with a defender diving at his feet. It was Cedric Boswell and Falcons receiver Jared Bernhardt in a one-on-one in the end zone on that fourth-and-9 desperation heave. Bernhardt, the undrafted rookie out of Ferris State, outmaneuvered and overpowered Boswell to create enough space to make the go-ahead play.

RB Jermar Jefferson

The second-year running back certainly got enough looks. Jefferson ran nine times for 19 yards, adding one catch on two targets for 3 yards. On the one hand, it’s promising to see him handle that amount of work while getting vital looks on special teams. On the other? He didn’t do much with those opportunities. Craig Reynolds ran three times for 13 yards, with two catches for 5 yards. It will be a tight battle in that running back room.