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Pride Of Detroit fantasy football takes on Jacob Saylors
Every source-backed article insight STACKED has extracted from Pride Of Detroit about Jacob Saylors.
34
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24
Positive
2
Negative
Insight ledger
All Pride Of Detroit insights about Jacob Saylors
PositiveRoleAug 22, 2026
Running back Jacob Saylors continued his strong preseason performance with 32 yards on six carries and good cuts. The source identifies Saylors as the biggest threat to Vaki for the RB3 role, and if he continues his strong showings, coaches could see him taking over that role and leaving Vaki strictly on special teams.PositiveUsageAug 22, 2026
Saylors was part of a Lions running back group that combined for 30 carries, 113 yards, and a touchdown in the preseason Game 2 victory; he contributed a third-and-1 conversion on the ground.NegativeInjuryAug 22, 2026
Recently suffered an ankle injury and is only a few days removed from it, creating uncertainty about his availability for preseason Game 2 vs. Commanders. Playing in this game would benefit Saylors as he looks to hold onto the RB4 role with competition nipping at his heels.PositiveRoleAug 21, 2026
Kick return candidate praised by Fipp despite lighter weight (195 pounds) not fitting ideal profile; Fipp specifically praised Saylors' special teams performance last year, which included 33 kick returns. Fipp stated 'I love Saylors. I loved him a year ago. He came in and really helped us out on special teams' and 'I thought he played very, very well for us on teams a year ago,' suggesting he has earned continued work despite not being the bigger, stronger type Fipp prefers.NegativeRoleAug 20, 2026
Running back Jacob Saylors is one of the Lions' kick returners alongside Greg Dortch, filling a critical special teams role; the source raises the possibility that Detroit could outsource some special teams snaps to running backs and defensive backs rather than relying solely on receivers.PositiveDepth ChartAug 20, 2026
Favorite for the fourth running back roster spot; has demonstrated performance on both offense and special teams during training camp.NegativeUsageAug 19, 2026
Tight end Jacob Saylors was targeted on a flats route in a second-team situational drill where Ennis Rakestraw made an immediate tackle on the play.PositiveRoleAug 18, 2026
Jacob Saylors had a seven-yard run on the sixth drive with the reserves, following a duo block from Mason Miller and Colby Sorsdal, where Sorsdal climbed to the linebacker.PositiveRoleAug 17, 2026
Saylors jumped to 11 votes (up 2) for the RB4 spot after a strong preseason outing, though he is now nursing an ankle injury; Campbell described the RB4 battle as neck-and-neck with Small, with one player ahead one day and the other ahead the next.PositiveRoleAug 17, 2026
The source projects Saylors as the fourth running back on the 53-man roster, noting he has taken a massive leap in the RB4 battle ahead of his contemporaries. His contributions on special teams make keeping a fourth running back palatable, and the source argues you could make a case that Saylors is ahead of Vaki on offense.NegativeInjuryAug 16, 2026
Running back did not practice on Sunday due to an ankle injury.PositiveRoleAug 16, 2026
Running back had the most impactful offensive performance in Lions' preseason Week 1 opener, per Dan Campbell's post-game assessment. Saylors rushed for 6.9 yards per carry (55 yards total) and 9.3 yards per reception (28 receiving yards total), earning 6.38 yards after contact per attempt—second-best among 23 qualifying running backs in Week 1. Of his 55 rushing yards, 51 came after contact, demonstrating efficiency and effectiveness as both runner and receiver despite the offensive line still finding its footing.NegativeInjuryAug 15, 2026
Running back suffered an ankle injury after being tackled from behind during the preseason opener, but coach Dan Campbell downplayed the seriousness, saying 'I don't think it's serious, but it could be a day or two here.'PositiveBreakoutAug 15, 2026
With Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki, and Jabari Small all shelved, Saylors showed he can be a potent part of the offense, finishing with eight carries for 55 yards (6.9 yards per carry) including a 27-yard long and four other runs of seven or more yards, plus three catches for 28 receiving yards. Beyond production, Saylors showed intimidating acceleration, consistently ran through arm tackles, proved competent in pass protection, and demonstrated receiving threat capability out of the backfield. He looked noticeably fresher than last season when he arrived off a UFL season, and appears poised to surpass the two offensive touches he received for the Lions last year.PositiveRoleAug 14, 2026
In the RB4 competition, Saylors took a massive step forward, leading the team in rushing attempts, yards, average yards per carry, receptions, and receiving yards. He demonstrated versatility by getting involved in the offense in multiple ways, showed decisiveness as a runner with shifty movement, and produced results on different routes. Coach Dan Campbell called him "probably our most potent player on offense" and described him as "a steady workhorse," indicating he is the leading candidate for the backup running back role.PositiveDepth ChartAug 14, 2026
Saylors got the start and played 29 snaps (44%) plus 3 special teams snaps (12%), playing extremely well and continuing to make a strong case to be the team's RB4 for the second straight season. Coach Campbell praised the running back's performance, and with his main competition Jabari Small still held out with a likely knee injury, Saylors is in a favorable position to secure the fourth running back role.PositiveRoleAug 14, 2026
Saylors won the early battle for the RB4 position against Jabari Small (who was held out with injury) by turning eight carries into 55 yards and tying for the team lead in receiving with three catches for 28 yards. The source notes he looked fast, strong, agile, and reliable in execution, though the competition with Small is far from over and Small is expected to get a fair look once healthy.PositiveRoleAug 14, 2026
Fourth-string running back competing for RB3 spot after Sione Vaki suffered broken nose and eye injury; had strong preseason Week 1 showing with eight carries for 55 yards and three catches for 28 yards, positioning him to potentially upend Vaki for third-string role if he continues performing well through rest of August.PositiveRoleAug 13, 2026
With Jahmyr Gibbs locked in as starter, Isiah Pacheco as backup, and Sione Vaki on special teams, the Lions have a four-running-back roster structure; Saylors (last year's RB4) is competing against Jabari Small for the fourth spot, a competition Campbell has called very close. Gibbs, Pacheco, Vaki, and Small are all unavailable or injured for the preseason game against Cincinnati, creating a major opportunity for Saylors to separate himself in the reserve competition.PositiveRoleAug 13, 2026
Competing with Jabari Small for reserve running back snaps; Campbell said the two are 'jockeying with each other' with one ahead some days and the other ahead on others, and praised both for their special teams contributions which 'will be big for both of those players.'NegativeRoleAug 12, 2026
Saylors is competing with Jabari Small for the RB4 spot. The team really likes Saylors as a special teamer, and the two are jockeying for position daily with one ahead some days and the other ahead on others.NegativeRoleAug 11, 2026
Jacob Saylors is part of a notable training camp competition at his position; the source describes a low-key awesome training camp battle brewing between Saylors and Jabari Small.PositiveRoleAug 10, 2026
Running back Jacob Saylors had a nice 7-yard run during the second live drive on Day 10.PositiveDepth ChartAug 10, 2026
Jacob Saylors is the consensus choice to be the Lions' fourth running back if they keep one, with all staff members picking him over Jabari Small. He received 9 votes (no change) and is favored in the fourth RB competition.PositiveRoleAug 7, 2026
Jacob Saylors had a strong run in Drive 8 with good lead blocks from Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge for 7 yards, and punched in the game-winning touchdown from 1 yard out in Drive 12.PositiveRoleAug 6, 2026
With Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, and Sione Vaki unavailable, Saylors shared first-team running back reps with Jabari Small. The source notes Saylors continues to impress with his speed and one-cut running style, benefitting from strong run blocking on the day.PositiveUsageAug 6, 2026
Saylors received first-team running back reps on Day 7 of training camp, splitting them evenly with Jabari Small while Pacheco, Vaki, and Gibbs were unavailable for team drills.PositiveRoleAug 4, 2026
Saylors has gotten some run with the first-team (backing up Pacheco) as well as starting with the second team. On Tuesday, he once again produced two 10+ yard runs, and routinely is able to pinball off one-handed tackle attempts. Coach Dan Campbell said at his morning presser: "He knows the system, and he's a smart guy. He's conscientious. And, so that's always going to help when you come into camp. [...] He looks much more comfortable. And he's got ability. I mean, you see it."NegativeDepth ChartAug 3, 2026
Saylors maintains 9 'IN' votes with no change; he still needs to convince a couple of staffers that he's worth keeping as an RB4, though his outlook could shift depending on the severity of Sione Vaki's eye injury suffered Monday morning.PositiveRoleAug 3, 2026
With Gibbs holding out and Sion Vaki leaving practice early after getting poked in the eye, Jacob Saylors stepped into a larger role behind Isiah Pacheco. Saylors made the most of his opportunity, bursting through a right side gap for a 20+ yard gain during 11-on-11s, then closing out practice with a 40+ yard wheel route that he took untouched for a touchdown. The source notes he has quietly had a solid camp and could be in line for more touches depending on Gibbs and Vaki's situations.NegativeDepth ChartAug 3, 2026
Running back bumped to RB2 role for the rest of the day with Gibbs and Vaki unavailable due to injury.NegativeRoleJul 30, 2026
Saylors is among the backup running backs getting opportunities during Gibbs' hold-in from training camp. Amon-Ra St. Brown identified Saylors as one of the guys stepping up: 'Guys stepping up: Isiah, Vaki, (Jacob) Saylors. So, getting other guys opportunities too to show what they can do. So it all works out for a reason.'PositiveDepth ChartJul 27, 2026
Jacob Saylors has the best chance among reserve running backs to secure a fourth RB roster spot on Detroit's 53-man roster. Nine of 11 Pride of Detroit staff voters have him making the team, contingent on a strong special teams performance during the preseason.PositiveDepth ChartJul 22, 2026
Jacob Saylors is projected to make the 53-man roster as the fourth running back. The Lions' choice of Saylors over Craig Reynolds last season revealed how much they value his special teams contributions.