The Detroit Lions open training camp this week, with veterans reporting on Tuesday and the first practice taking place on Wednesday. Through the next few weeks, including three preseason games, there are jobs to be won and roles to be defined.
Ahead of that first practice, let’s take a position-by-position look at how those roster battles are shaping up, starting with the offense.
Quarterback
Despite being in the position to do so, the Lions chose not to draft a heir apparent to Jared Goff. The former No. 1 overall pick, acquired in an offseason swap that sent Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams, will enter the 2021 campaign as Detroit’s unquestioned starter.
That tracks with the vocal support Goff has received from Lions brass since arriving in town. And the contract restructuring he agreed to in March implies he’s part of the team’s plan for at least two seasons.
But, as with most situations in the NFL, little is guaranteed in the future. The Lions figure to once again be in position to draft a franchise quarterback next offseason. That leaves Goff a year to demonstrate he’s the guy. He’ll be battling himself, and a hypothetical addition in 2022, this camp.
As for the backup job, Detroit committed enough to Tim Boyle in free agency — one year, $2.5 million — that he projects to have the inside track for the role. With fewer than 50 career snaps, largely in kneel-down situations, he has shined in past preseason action. That will be something to watch with the exhibition slate returning after a one-year hiatus.
Boyle’s competition, David Blough, will be relying on those preseason games to convince the Lions they should carry three quarterbacks on the roster. In his third season in Detroit, he’s appeared in six games and completed 54.3% of his passes with four touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Running back
The possibility of adding Todd Gurley lingers, but with or without the former All-Pro, the Lions have a pair of versatile talents at the top of the depth chart in D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams. Between them, they figure to handle the bulk of the backfield workload.
After parting ways with Kerryon Johnson this offseason, it would appear the Lions are ready to rely on rookie Jermar Jefferson to round out the rotation. The seventh-round draft pick comes with impressive college tape, but he has plenty to prove in camp as a pass catcher and pass blocker.
If Jefferson lags in displaying those skills, it will open the door for undrafted rookie Dedrick Mills or second-year player Michael Warren to stake a claim. Both have the size and running style to succeed as short-yardage options.
Wide receiver
No position group was more drastically overhauled this offseason by the Lions than receiver. Among players who caught a pass for the team last year, only Quintez Cephus (20 receptions, 349 yards) returns.
And Cephus isn’t even a lock for a job.
The sure bets are Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman, two speedsters who signed prove-it deals with Detroit as free agents, and rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown. The remaining two or three jobs will need to be sorted out.
Cephus certainly bolstered his case during the early stages of the offseason program. As did Victor Bolden, who has been on the team’s practice squad the past two seasons. Additionally, Kalif Raymond gets a boost as the front-runner to serve as the team’s return man.
If Cephus and Bolden can’t maintain their momentum, there are plenty of other options waiting in the wings, from veterans Geronimo Allison and Damion Ratley to a pair of big-framed, undrafted rookies in Sage Surratt and Javon McKinley.
Tight end
Again, there’s no confusion about the top of Detroit’s depth chart. T.J. Hockenson, coming off his first Pro Bowl season, could see his pass-game production further swell with Goff’s penchant for utilizing his tight ends.
And following the somewhat abrupt retirement of Josh Hill, a free-agent addition who was pegged as a culture builder for coach Dan Campbell, the Lions brought back Darren Fells. The latter is arguably a better all-around contributor, even at 35 years old.
It’s the third spot that’s up for grabs. The Lions eliminated one contender when they cut second-year receiving option Hunter Bryant earlier this offseason. Based on usage through the OTA practices, Alize Mack appears to have an early edge in the competition. He has a couple years of practice squad experience, including a stint with Campbell in New Orleans.
The rest of the contenders — Hunter Thedford, Charlie Taumoepeau, Brock Wright and Jake Hausmann — are even more inexperienced.
Offensive line
Following the selection of Penei Sewell in the first round of the draft, the Lions locked in a formidable starting lineup that consists of the rookie, Taylor Decker, Jonah Jackson, Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow.
The camp competitions will be for the backup jobs, with the interior positions carrying greater intrigue.
At offensive tackle, Tyrell Crosby would give the Lions one of the best swing options in the league, but the team is reportedly exploring the trade market. Given he’s entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the way Matt Nelson performed when pressed into action last season, it’s worth seeing what kind of draft pick Crosby could net.
As for those interior jobs, the Lions moved on from their top backups from a year ago, cutting Joe Dahl and letting Oday Aboushi sign elsewhere as a free agent. That puts the spotlight on Logan Stenberg, a fourth-round pick in 2020 who only saw a handful of special teams snaps as a rookie.
If Stenberg is ready to step into a more prominent role, it would be a major plus. As far as center, the Lions could always shift Jackson inside in a pinch, while Evan Brown also has snapping experience, including 28 snaps for the Lions last season.
Undrafted rookies Drake Jackson and Tommy Kraemer will need a stellar camp and preseason to force their way into the conversation, but both are strong contenders for practice squad spots.
jdrogers@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @Justin_Rogers