Lineup Lock: Lions' 2-2 Record Hides a Defense That Isn't Good Enough; Nick Vannett Set to Help Fill Durham Smythe Void

Lineup Lock: Lions' 2-2 Record Hides a Defense That Isn't Good Enough; Nick Vannett Set to Help Fill Durham Smythe Void

1. Podcaster Pete

   Frank, bring that big take into Lineup Lock.

2. Fantasy Frank

   Pete, I've brought a question instead. I'm Frank, and that's more useful.

3. Podcaster Pete

   Fair. We'll test the case one step at a time.

4. Podcaster Pete

   Lions' 2-2 Record Hides a Defense That Isn't Good Enough The Lions are 2-2, in large part because the defense isn't good enough. For fantasy managers, that defense is the pressure point. The record has a number, but the sharper film-room read is simple: the Lions defense isn't good enough. Treat the 2-2 mark as context, not a reason to force confidence in the Lions defense.

5. Fantasy Frank

   Nick Vannett Set to Help Fill Durham Smythe Void Veteran blocking tight end Nick Vannett will help fill the void of injured Durham Smythe. Fantasy managers should keep Nick Vannett on the watch list while Durham Smythe is injured.

6. Podcaster Pete

   Kelvin Sheppard on Lions' defense: "Something has to change" - NBC Sports Skip navigation Search Query Submit Search Pro Football Talk Rumor Mill PFT Video PFT PM PFT Live PFT Clips Can the Eagles stop their slide in London? Can the Lions avoid slipping toward mediocrity? Can the Rams slow down Josh Allen on MNF? Other PFT Content Deion Sanders dismisses “a few guys” from the team after blowout loss in Northwestern Mike Florio , Mike Florio , Jim Harbaugh needs to stop the Justin Herbert hype Mike Florio , Mike Florio , Polymarket withdraws wager on Patrick Mahomes playing in Week 1 Mike Florio , Mike Florio , PFT Rumor Mill Teams Teams Arizona Cardinals Atlanta Falcons Baltimore Ravens Buffalo Bills Carolina Panthers Chicago Bears Cincinnati Bengals Cleveland Browns Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos Detroit Lions Green Bay Packers Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts Jacksonville Jaguars Kansas City Chiefs Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Rams Miami Dolphins New England Patriots New Orleans Saints New York Giants New York Jets Minnesota Vikings Philadelphia Eagles Pittsburgh Steelers San Francisco 49ers Seattle Seahawks Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tennessee Titans Washington Commanders Watch Podcasts Podcasts PFT Live More Sports More Sports NFL Fantasy Sports MLB NBA NHL College Football College Basketball Golf Olympics Soccer Motors NASCAR Peacock Search Query Submit Search Pro Football Talk Rumor Mill PFT Video PFT PM PFT Live PFT Clips Can the Eagles stop their slide in London?

7. Fantasy Frank

   Other PFT Content Deion Sanders dismisses “a few guys” from the team after blowout loss in Northwestern Mike Florio , Mike Florio , Jim Harbaugh needs to stop the Justin Herbert hype Mike Florio , Mike Florio , Polymarket withdraws wager on Patrick Mahomes playing in Week

8. Podcaster Pete

   Ravens Sign Tight End Nick Vannett to 53-Man Roster Following Durham Smythe Injury Skip to main content Primary nav NEWS VIDEO AUDIO PHOTOS SCHEDULE TEAM GAMEDAY COMMUNITY TV/RADIO STADIUM RAVENS FLOCK RAVENS IN UK CHEERLEADERS EVENT CALENDAR CONNECT WITH US TICKETS SHOP Open menu button Action related nav TICKETS ACCOUNT MANAGER WATCH SHOP News All News Press Room Late For Work Cover Story Mailbag News & Notes Around the AFC North 50 Words or Less Transcripts Press Releases Advertising Presented by Ravens Sign Tight End Nick Vannett to 53-Man Roster Oct 07, 2026 at 01:14 PM Ryan Mink Editorial Director Copied!

9. Fantasy Frank

   Shawn Hubbard/Baltimore Ravens Photos TE Nick Vannett The Ravens have signed tight end Nick Vannett to their 53-man roster, pulling the veteran up from the practice squad to help offset the loss of Durham Smythe. Smythe has been placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn Achilles in the Ravens' Week 4 win over the Tennessee Titans. Vannett is a 6-foot-6 tight end who, like Smythe, excels in blocking. He's in his 11 th season with 121 games and 54 starts under his belt. The Ravens originally signed him to their practice squad on Sept.

10. Podcaster Pete

    2. Vannett split last season between the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Rams, playing in 10 games. He wasn't targeted by any passes and saw 55 total snaps. He had a larger role the year before with the Tennessee Titans, starting 10 games and playing 37% of the snaps. He caught 17 passes for 135 yards and three touchdowns. The Ravens have Mark Andrews leading the room and rookies Matt Hibner and Josh Cuevas may be asked to play bigger roles. The Ravens have also brought back fullback Lucas Scott to their practice squad. 🔎 Get better search results for Ravens content by adding BaltimoreRavens.com to your Google Source Preferences .

11. Fantasy Frank

    Related Content news Ravens Trade for Pro Bowl Center Cam Jurgens Back-to-bac

12. Podcaster Pete

    That's Lineup Lock. Every story in this episode came from a sourced Wire report. This episode is powered by gamedai's Scout.

13. Fantasy Frank

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