Rookie DE Stayed With Detroit Lions Due to Loyalty
Detroit Lions rookie defensive end Ahmed Hassanein had the opportunity to join any NFL team.
After his preseason injury resulted in the team waiving him with an injury settlement, the former sixth-round pick did not leave Metro Detroit.
He remained to rehab and to watch a competitive football team win six of their first nine games to start the 2025 season.
Speaking with reporters after practice on Wednesday, Hassanein expressed the difficulties he faced being away from the game, but also the renewed passion to grow as a football player and to develop wtih the team that took the chance and drafted him.
"He (Hassanein's agent) was telling me like, 'Oh, 31 was wanting you on the practice squad.' Because I don't count as a player. I was like, 'Man, I'm not going anywhere.' I want to stay here, because these people believe in me, and I'm going to give it all I got," Hassanein said. "Loyalty is a big thing for me. And man, I want to just want give it the best."
There were tough moments, but having football taken away from him gave the young defender more appreciation for the opportunity that now awaits him.
"It's a blessing to be back here, and just to be able to have teammates," said Hassanein. "And man, just to say good morning to everybody. Have coaching and being coached again, sitting in a team meeting. And it's been a blessing, you know. And I truly grew from it. I feel like this is a really good thing that happened to me. I'm gonna look at it, at that positive side, and just take it one day at a time, and just continue to get better and continue to attack every single day."
Watching from afar gave the former Boise State Broncos defensive end even more resolve the team was going to eventually win a Super Bowl.
"Man, this is a Super Bowl team. This team, I truly believe they're going to win a Super Bowl," said Hassanein. "It's a competitive roster. And man everybody wants to give their best. And everybody wants to come to work happy and positive and wants to get better and wants to compete. So, anytime you have that environment, man, I got fired up today when I heard coach Campbell was like, 'Man, we wanted Philly for so long.' And I was like, 'Yes.' I was like, I wanted that feeling.
"It's a blessing, man, just to be able to stay in the team meeting again and and just to have that experience, it means everything to me," Hassanein added. "I just want to give it all I got. And I want to help this team do whatever it takes to win. Even be on scout team, being whatever. Like honestly, being whatever to just help my teammates and just be the best version of myself."
If the veterans can’t carry the Saints, it’s time for the rookies to take over the franchise
The New Orleans Saints have played 10 games so far this season and there are some reasons for optimism for the future of the franchise.
Now, there are obviously salary cap questions coming after the season and there are some veterans who may not be with the team any longer when the 2025 season ends. But, New Orleans' 2025 draft class has a shot at being transformational for the team.
Let's take a look at the draft class and evaluate key takeaways.
Round 1: OT Kelvin Banks Jr.
Round 2: QB Tyler Shough
Round 3: DL Vernon Broughton
Round 3: S Jonas Sanker
Round 4: LB Danny Stutsman
Round 4: CB Quincy Riley
Round 6: RB Devin Neal
Round 7: TE Moliki Matavao
Round 7: Edge Fadil Diggs
Let's start with the guys difficult to evaluate. Vernon Broughton has played in just one game, Moliki Matavao has played in three games, and Fadil Diggs has played in four games. Diggs and Matavao are on the practice squad and Broughton is out for the season.
Banks, Shough, Sanker, Stutsman, Riley, and Neal all have shown a lot of promise for the future as well. Banks has started all 10 games for the Saints and looks like the left tackle of the future. He has a 68.3 PFF grade, good for 32nd out of 76 tackles.
The Saints' draft class is looking good right now
Shough has started just two games so far this season and had one of the best games by a Saints rookie in team history in Week 10 against the Carolina Panthers. He actually became the first Saints rookie quarterback to win a game since 1981, so that's nice.
Sanker has played in all 10 games, including nine starts. The Saints' safety room took a hit with Julian Blackmon getting hurt. Sanker has filled in well and has one interception and has held opposing quarterbacks to a 55 percent completion rate.
Stutsman has played in all 10 games and has been solid linebacker depth. He has 28 tackles on the season.
Riley has been involved in all 10 games, including two starts. He has an interception and has held opposing quarterbacks to a 60 percent completion rate.
Neal had his best game as a pro against the Panthers with 22 rushing yards and three catches. That's not eye-popping, but his role just increased over the last few weeks with Kendre Miller out.
This draft class starts with Banks and Shough. Both look like the real deal so far. But, on top of that, the Saints could've found a starting safety, cornerback, linebacker, and eventual Alvin Kamara replacement. That's what should have fans excited.
