So before we get our first look at the Lions on the field, here are five position battles we’ll be keeping a close eye on.
Wide receiver 3
With Josh Reynolds now in Denver, the biggest question facing the Lions offense is who will step up? Jameson Williams is expected to take on a significantly bigger role than he has in his previous two seasons, but who will step up behind him?
Donovan Peoples-Jones is the odds-on favorite to become a potential starter, and Lions general manager Brad Holmes recently gave him some serious praise. But can second-year receiver Antoine Green make a push for playing time? Will Kalif Raymond continue to have a notable role on offense? Does UDFA Isaiah Williams have a shot?
Offensive tackle 3
The Lions are set with Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell bookending their offensive line, but Detroit looks vulnerable if either of those players goes down. Dan Skipper has looked fine in jumbo packages, but the thought of him in the starting lineup is worrisome. Rookie Giovanni Manu could be the future at the position, but coming from Canadian college football, his acclimation to NFL talent will take some time.
With Decker possibly sitting out during OTAs due to offseason surgery, Detroit’s depth should be immediately tested.
Edge defender 2
The search for the pass rusher opposite Aidan Hutchinson continues. At this point last year, the job belonged to Charles Harris and Romeo Okwara. Both are now gone, and it’s time for the next generation to step up.
Could Josh Paschal be the next Lion to make a Year 3 jump? Will Marcus Davenport prove all the Vikings haters wrong? Will the Lions have more trust in a veteran like John Cominsky? Or will James Houston or Mathieu Betts beat the odds?
Defensive tackle 3
Again, the Lions are set with their starters in DJ Reader and Alim McNeill. Reader is not expected to be participating in OTAs as he recovers from a torn quad, so this is another opportunity for Detroit’s depth to shine.
It’s last call for Levi Onwuzurike, who appears to have finally put his back injury behind him but has yet to turn that into production on the field. Entering the final year of his rookie contract, OTAs are a great opportunity for him to prove to the coaching staff that he still has a ton of potential.
And while he doesn’t exactly play the same position as Onwuzurike, Brodric Martin also stands to benefit from Reader’s (presumed) absence. After spending most of 2023 on the bench, even these padless practices provide an opportunity for the 24-year-old defensive lineman.
Cornerback 2
The presumed Week 1 starting lineup at cornerback will be Carlton Davis and first-round pick Terrion Arnold manning the outside positions. However, knowing how the Lions operate, it may not start that way. Amik Robertson is a competitor, a dawg, and—more importantly—has plenty of starting experience. It stands to reason that he may be out there with the first-team defense over Arnold. Will he be able to hold onto that spot? We know from last year’s linebacker battle that first-round picks (Jack Campbell) will not be handed starting jobs if the veteran is playing better.
And don’t sleep on a guy like Emmanuel Moseley. While he’s not likely to be ready to participate in OTAs due to his torn ACL last year, he could enter the competition come training camp.
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