Lions stock report: Rudock rises, Decker drops

Detroit — Here’s who is trending up and who is trending down following the Detroit Lions’ 30-17 preseason loss to the New York Giants.

STOCK UP: QB Jake Rudock

Even though he racked up most of his stats in the fourth quarter when the Giants had the game in hand, Rudock put together an efficient performance, completing 23 of 30 passes for 171 yards and a touchdown. The pocket awareness was better — although he did run right into one sack — and there’s still not many completions coming downfield, but he managed to not fall further behind Matt Cassel in the backup quarterback competition.

More: Niyo: Lions backup QB race offers little comfort

STOCK DOWN: RB Ameer Abdullah

It’s been a while since we’ve had to talk about the ball-security issues that plagued Abdullah in college and during his rookie season in Detroit, but the fourth-year back put the ball on the ground twice against the Giants — once on a handoff and later while returning a kickoff.

It wasn’t a total disaster, since the Lions recovered both loose balls, and Abdullah did convert a short-yardage situation and had a nice blitz pickup, but his butterfingers overshadow the positives.   

TREADING WATER: LB Jarrad Davis

Davis looked good when coming forward, contributing on two tackles in the backfield on the Giants’ opening possession, but his issues in coverage persist. His feet looked like they were cemented to the Ford Field turf trying to cover running back Wayne Gallman on his 8-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter.

STOCK UP: SS Tavon Wilson

Wilson gave up an early third-down conversion to tight end Evan Engram, but that’s a tough cover for most defenders. The veteran safety responded by stopping Engram short of the marker the next time, breaking up a pass and forcing a backfield redirection that ended another Giants’ possession.

More: Lions' O-line has forgettable preseason home opener

STOCK DOWN: OT Taylor Decker

You could probably list a number of Lions’ offensive linemen in this spot. Joe Dahl got put on roller skates and pushed right into his quarterback on a third down in the red zone. Corey Robinson also got beat badly on a third down, leading to a Cassel fumble. But expectations are higher for Decker, who allowed pressure on three snaps, resulting in a pair of sacks.

TREADING WATER: LeGarrette Blount

After a slow start, including a dropped pass, Blount came alive in the third quarter, churning out 32 yards on nine carries. He did get stopped on a fourth-and-2, but it didn’t help that pulling guard Kenny Wiggins completely whiffed on a lead block.

STOCK UP: DT Ricky Jean Francois

He didn’t play a lot, but the veteran interior lineman made his presence felt, chipping in on a tackle for loss, tallying a quarterback hit and forcing a fumble on a play that was ultimately overturned. Francois has been getting first-team reps most of camp and he showed why against the Giants.

STOCK DOWN: TE Michael Roberts

Roberts continues to trend downward this month, getting flagged for a false start and missing a block on a run play that led to a tackle for a loss. He caught one pass, in the closing minutes, but was otherwise a non-factor.

TREADING WATER: DE Ziggy Ansah

It was good to see Ansah on the field and the former Pro Bowler recorded two tackles in limited action. He also got some pressure on the passer and looked to be moving well.

jdrogers@detroitnews.com

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