In their preseason debut against the New York Giants, the Detroit Lions showcased several promising rookie players who made their presence known on the field. Undrafted free agent signings Isaac Ukwu and Nate Lynn proved to be disruptive forces on the defensive end, wreaking havoc on the Giants' passing offense.

Isaac Ukwu, a former defensive lineman from Ole Miss, displayed his strength and power by recording a sack early in the game. Using his outside leverage against Giants left tackle Joshua Ezeudu, Ukwu consistently applied pressure and demonstrated patience in his pursuit of quarterback Drew Lock.

Meanwhile, Nate Lynn, in just 22 snaps, had an impressive game. The undrafted rookie from William & Mary exhibited a natural ability to rush the passer, accumulating five quarterback pressures and a sack in the first half. Lynn's standout play was a well-executed spin move on Ezeudu's inside shoulder, allowing him to apply pressure on Lock and force a punt.

On the offensive line, undrafted free agent Kingsley Eguakun had a challenging time against New York's defensive front. Struggling against the Giants' three-man front, Eguakun was overpowered on most of his 35 offensive snaps. Giovanni Manu, a rookie from the University of British Columbia, experienced the learning curve that comes with transitioning from a smaller school to the NFL, as he was frequently beaten by the Giants' pass rush and allowed a sack in the second half. Fellow rookies Bryan Hudson and Duke Clemens had neutral performances, not standing out in a positive or negative way.

The Lions also fielded other rookies in their first preseason game. First-round draft pick Terrion Arnold made a brief appearance as a starting outside cornerback before sitting out the rest of the game. Cornerback Ennis Rakestraw started opposite Arnold and proved solid in coverage, allowing just one reception for no gain and recording three tackles.

Safety-turned-running back Sione Vaki showcased his electrifying skills on offense, carrying the ball four times for 29 yards. Vaki also made an impact on special teams, contributing in various facets of Detroit's special teams unit.

Mekhi Wingo, a sixth-round pick, displayed potential as an interior defensive lineman, putting pressure on the Giants' offense from the 3-technique spot. Despite modest stats, Wingo exhibited his capability as a pass rusher.

However, not all rookies had a standout performance. Morice Norris, an undrafted rookie defensive back from Fresno State, struggled during the game, being faked out on a long touchdown run and beaten in coverage for a big gain. Defensive backs Loren Strickland and Chelen Garnes had limited impact, with Strickland recording three tackles and Garnes not making a mark in the box score.

DaRon Gilbert, a linebacker and Detroit-area native, showed promise against the run and in zone coverage, but faced challenges in man coverage on deep routes. Wide receiver Isaiah Williams emerged as a reliable target, leading the team with four catches for 35 yards and also contributing with two kick returns for 28 yards.

Jalon Calhoun, another rookie receiver, had limited opportunities on offense, making just one catch for two yards on his 15 snaps. In a surprising turn of events, long snapper Hogan Hatten proved his versatility by not only outperforming incumbent Scott Daly but also taking snaps at linebacker late in the game. Hatten's versatility could make him a valuable asset for the Lions moving forward, as he made two tackles against the Giants.

Overall, the Detroit Lions' preseason debut showcased the potential and talent of their rookie players. As the preseason progresses, it will be interesting to see how these young players continue to develop and contribute to the team's success in the upcoming NFL season.