10 Detroit Lions training camp battles to watch

Detroit seems content with the top threesome of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond. There is some school of thought that Raymond might belong in the grouping below, but it was clear in minicamp and OTAs that the team envisions and trusts Raymond as the No. 3 WR until proven otherwise.

The combatants:

Donovan Peoples-Jones

Antoine Green

Daurice Fountain

Tre’Quan Smith

Tom Kennedy

Isaiah Williams

Kaden Davis

Maurice Alexander

Jalon Calhoun

The depth wideouts aren’t apt to catch a significant amount of passes — barring injuries above them, of course. That means the decision on who earns these roles will be made on sub-package options and special teams. The latter gives Isaiah Williams, an undrafted rookie from Illinois, a legit shot, while the former could be an edge for a bigger target like Peoples-Jones or Green, who is hoping to show more in his second season.

There was already a crowd of combatants set to compete for the backup guard and center spots heading into camp, but the Lions brought in another on the eve of veterans reporting by signing former Bills starting left guard Ike Boettger.

He joins a battle royale of varying levels of experience and versatility. With Colby Sorsdal apparently shifting back to tackle for his second season, it’s a wide-open race inside.

Kayode Awosika is in pencil as one of the backups based on his experience and tenure with the team. Sixth-round rookie Christian Mahogany offers the highest upside. Boetgger fits in with other vets Netane Muti, Matt Farniok and Michael Niese in the battle. Niese gets a bonus here for being the only one with center experience.

Then there are the three undrafted rookies, all of whom can pay guard or center. Bryan Hudson, Kinglsey Eguakun and Duke Clemens will get chances to prove they can win a role.

This one recently received an in-depth treatment breaking down all of the competitors. The skinny version:

Someone has to step up to help balance the pass rush and steal even a little attention away from Hutchinson, who is an All-Pro candidate. James Houston’s progress and health, Josh Paschal’s progress and health, Marcus Davenport’s fit and health, Mathieu Betts’s adaptation from the CFL, upstart Mitchell Agude building off a great spring, Derrick Barnes moving into a new-ish role–it’s a giant question mark with a lot of good potential answers but not any sure things.

It would be fantastic if one (or more!) of them seized the opportunity.

Kalif Raymond has proven to be one of the NFL’s better punt returners, and he’s back. However, his increased responsibility at wide receiver could foment the Lions opening up the competition there too.

The new kickoff and kick return rules have fundamentally changed the type of returner who figures to thrive. Pure speed isn’t as important as vision, acceleration and balance. Enter fourth-round rookie Sione Vaki, who already projects as a staple of coverage units. But there are other worthy competitors, including Maurice Alexander, Khalil Dorsey and undrafted rookie Isaiah Williams.

Last year, the joint practice sessions with the Jaguars and Giants devoted an inordinate amount of time to sorting out special teams for both teams. That could very well be the case again when the Lions visit New York ahead of the first preseason game.

Craig Reynolds is used to the competition, but his fourth summer in Detroit is perhaps his biggest challenge. Sione Vaki and Zonovan Knight are the same type of inside-out runners who offer just enough individually divergent skills to win the gig.

Detroit could keep four RBs, too. With no fullback on the roster anymore, a back who could possibly fill that role in a pinch might have a leg up. Special teams is also a very big part of the discussion here, which keeps Jake Funk and even Jermar Jefferson in the picture.

A couple of dynamics are at play at tight end. First, do the Lions keep three or four this year?

The No. 3 spot is definitely up for grabs. A fourth TE, a role that would almost exclusively focus on special teams, would be even more wide open. It’s time for James Mitchell to step forward in his third season to fight off newcomers Parker Hesse and Sean McKeon, as well as practice squad vet Shane Zylstra–who happens to be the best pass-catcher of the bunch.

The winner(s) here will be determined as much by special teams and the desire for what the position entails by offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as it is talent.

Two men enter, one man leave, pt. II:
Veteran holdover Scott Daly against undrafted rookie Hogan Hatten. The more consistent, precise snapper walks away with the gig.

With Benito Jones, Isaiah Buggs and Tyson Alualu all gone, the depth spots behind Alim McNeill and DJ Reader (once he’s healthy) are up for grabs.

This is another spot where the Lions have several capable answers to the questions, but none are a sure thing. John Cominsky sputtered in 2023 playing more inside, but he’s had more time to bulk back up. Levi Onwuzurike is up to 300 pounds and looks great as he continues his valiant return from spinal fusion surgery, but in 2024, the 2021 second-rounder needs to be more than just a feel-good story.

Sixth-rounder Mekhi Wingo is undersized coming out of LSU, but he’s learned how to thrive despite his lack of length and bulk. Finding his optimal role is one of the goals of camp for new DL coach Terrell Williams. The other big pet project for Williams is Brodric Martin, who was not ready as a third-round rookie. The physical attributes are all there for Martin, and a second-year jump would be a huge boost to the defensive interior. Vet Kyle Peko is ready insurance in case none of the above are good enough at clogging the middle.

Technically, the entire outside CB depth chart is undecided, but it would be a major upset if Carlton Davis and Terrion Arnold weren’t the Week 1 starters.

Free agent Amik Robertson brings experience and attitude in an undersized package. Robertson got some looks inside during spring sessions, though he struggled badly in the slot as a Raider. Second-round rookie Ennis Rakestraw brings the physical press coverage that coordinator Aaron Glenn wants to deploy. He too can get some inside looks.

The rest of the aspirants are hoping to sneak into the top four, but more realistically they’re gunning for a fifth or sixth CB spot that focuses on special teams (when not a healthy scratch). Steven Gilmore made it last year as an undrafted rookie but couldn’t get on the field despite desperate times at the position. Khalil Dorsey and Kindle Vildor each got chances, with varying degrees of success and, in Vildor’s case, spectacular failure at the worst possible time. This year’s UDFA hope is Morice Norris, who can also double at safety.