OTAs gave us a brief glimpse at what the Detroit Lions’ starting roster will look like in the fall, but training camp is where most jobs and roles are won and lost.
Which position battle are you looking forward to most? I asked the Detroitlions.com crew, and here’s what they had to say:
Tim Twentyman: Interior offensive line
The Lions have just three returning starters upfront — Penei Sewell, Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow. Will Glasgow replace Frank Ragnow at center or will he return to his natural right guard spot? Second-round pick Tate Ratledge has repped at both center and guard. Where will he ultimately land?
Second-year OL Christian Mahogany has been repping at left guard. Can he win a starting spot there after a promising rookie campaign in 2024? Will any of the veteran or other youngsters step up and push those three for a role? For the first time in a while, there are real question marks surrounding Detroit’s offensive line heading into a season.
Dannie Rogers: Cornerback
Once again the cornerback room has been flipped upside down with new names in it, and the outside positions and nickel aren’t completely locked down just yet. Terrion Arnold is the only mainstay coming into this season. I’m curious to see where Ennis Rakestraw Jr., D.J. Reed and Khalil Dorsey fall in the rotation. The veteran on the outside looking in is Rock Ya-Sin, who’s going into Year 7. With Rakestraw moving to the outside, it seems like it’s Amik Robertson’s job to lose with the eight-year vet Avonte Maddox next up, but perhaps a different name pops up in the nickel back race.
There’s a really good mix of veteran and young talent in the cornerback room, and I’m so intrigued to see who starts separating themselves when camp rolls around.
Editor’s Pick: Interior offensive line
The Lions’ top-ranked offense runs through their offensive line (literally). Decker and Sewell have the tackle spots locked down, but I’m interested to see how things shake out along the interior.
Will the Lions start the rookie Ratledge at center or will they go with a veteran presence in Glasgow? And who will line up at the two guard spots? That’s what I’ll have my eye on when the Lions kick off training camp later this summer.
