NFL organized team activities (OTAs) get going this week, and for the Detroit Lions, it’ll be our first chance to see this roster together — free-agent signings, draft picks and all.
On paper, this looks like one of the league’s best rosters. The Lions have a potent offense that returns most of its core. A defense that was still very much a work in progress last season added meaningful pieces this offseason, with hopes of finally breaking through under defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. This is the most talented Lions team assembled during the Brad Holmes-Dan Campbell era, which is saying something considering Detroit played in the NFC Championship Game a few months ago.
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Now the Lions look to get back, with a Super Bowl in mind.
Here’s what we’ll be watching as they begin their quest this week.
New free agents
The Lions have plenty of new faces added in free agency and the trade market, as the front office worked to fill needs with quality talent.
Cornerback Carlton Davis III was acquired from the Buccaneers for Detroit’s 2024 third-round pick. Perhaps a rich price for a corner on a one-year deal, but the Lions couldn’t afford to leave March without an upgrade at the position. On paper, they got one in Davis. He’s a true man corner with an alpha mentality, something this team hasn’t had under Glenn. They might have three now (more on that later). Davis is most comfortable challenging receivers at the line of scrimmage and has the short memory needed to play the position. Health hasn’t been on his side in recent years, but he’s a good player who fits what the Lions like to do. He’s a Day 1 starter.
The Lions really addressed the trenches in free agency. Defensive tackle DJ Reader is a space-eating nose tackle who makes things easier for those around him. He has a nonstop motor for a player of his size and plays with full-out effort. Playing next to Reader could get the most out of Alim McNeill, who’s already coming off a Pro Bowl-caliber season without much help in the interior. Right guard Kevin Zeitler replaces Jonah Jackson, and if you talk to Holmes and Campbell, they’ll tell you their offensive line improved. If true, paying Zeitler $6 million when Jackson landed $17 million from the Rams is a steal. He’s not a long-term answer, but he can be a high-quality bridge to the next. He’s coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance and is viewed as a strong guard in pass protection.
Marcus Davenport has been a productive player when healthy, and fits the description of a Lions type of edge — big, physical, can set an edge and play the run. The big question is health. Since his breakout nine-sack 2021 season — a year in which he played only 11 games — Davenport has just 2 1/2 sacks to his name and was a major disappointment for the Vikings last season, unable to stay healthy. Davenport has much to prove in what could be his last chance as a starter, and he’ll have competition with third-year edge Josh Paschal.
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And, finally, the Lions have spoken highly about cornerback Amik Robertson this offseason. He’ll likely be CB2 when OTAs start because he’s a veteran with starting NFL experience. Don’t be fooled by his lack of size (5-feet-8, 187 pounds) — the Lions signed Robertson to compete on the outside. If one of these rookie corners wants a starting gig, he’ll have to take it from Robertson.
That brings us to our next topic.
The rookie class
The obvious place to start when discussing Detroit’s 2024 draft class is with the two corners. The Lions made the unconventional move to double up on the same position with their first two draft picks, but when you consider how they operate and where their needs were, it really matches up. Terrion Arnold was the highest-ranked player on the board at 24, when the Lions eventually traded up for him. Holmes said he started making calls in the teens to get Arnold. As for Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Holmes tried to trade up early in the second round for him. He got him at No. 61. Holmes couldn’t believe either player was available for the Lions. They were the two best players on the board, and happened to play a position the Lions needed to address. When needs match up with best player available, it can be a beautiful thing.
So, then, how soon can Arnold and Rakestraw crack the lineup? It all depends how they look this offseason. The Lions are more than willing to make room for a rookie in the starting lineup. They did it a year ago with Brian Branch, who forced out veteran safety and former team captain Tracy Walker. Glenn is going to field the best secondary based on practice play. If Arnold and/or Rakestraw prove that in the coming months, they’ll see the field.
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Elsewhere, the path to playing time isn’t as clear, but that’s not a bad thing. Offensive tackle Giovanni Manu is expected to cross-train at guard and tackle. Sione Vaki will fight to be Detroit’s RB3, and is expected to be a mainstay on special teams. Defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo might have the clearest path among the Lions’ Day 3 picks as a rotational defensive tackle who can provide a pass-rush spark early on. And sixth-round guard Christian Mahogany is a tough, competitive lineman who might not need much developing. As someone who really liked what the Lions did in this draft, it’ll be fun to see this group get some work in.
Second-year leaps
It’s scary to think the players from the Lions’ 2023 draft class can be even better than they were as rookies. Four players took on significant roles last year, with two making the Pro Bowl. But the Lions are counting on growth.
What can Sam LaPorta do for an encore? All he did in 2023 was break the all-time rookie tight end record for receptions in a season with 86. The Lions fed him early and often, on his way to a second-team All-Pro nod. Expect more of the same in 2024. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs was playing like one of the best backs in the league by the end of the season. The Lions were no longer managing his reps like they were early in the season. I’d expect that to continue. He’s earned the trust of the coaching staff and is one of the most explosive runners in the league.
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Branch was everything the Lions needed — a competitive, sticky nickel who made an immediate impact. The Lions have discussed the idea of playing Branch at safety a bit more, trying to gauge if he’s ready for the mental responsibilities that come with the position. They tried it a little bit last year but thought it was best to let him settle in at nickel as a rookie. He might be ready now.
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First-round pick Jack Campbell had his ups and downs, which can often be part of the process for young linebackers. The Lions thought he was too hard on himself at times last year, but that’s just how Campbell is wired. When the game slows down for him, the potential is still there for him to be an impact player. Talking to some folks at the combine, it’s clear the Lions are still extremely high on Campbell — mentioning his combination of size, length, physicality and range as reasons he was drafted.
Brodric Martin, Colby Sorsdal and Antoine Green will be depth, but the hope is that they, too, begin to figure things out with age. Martin was a project defensive tackle out of Western Kentucky, always viewed as a player who would need time. His blend of size and length (6-feet-5, 34 3/8-inch arms) at the nose tackle position was worth the investment for Holmes, and gives new defensive line coach Terrell Williams an upside piece to develop. Sorsdal was a tackle in college but made the move to guard in the NFL. He wasn’t ready as a rookie, but few fifth-rounders are. The hope is he can position himself to be in the mix for a starting job in 2025. As for Green, there’s an opportunity in the receiver room if he can take advantage with a good offseason.
You might be wondering about a certain quarterback from last year’s draft class who wasn’t mentioned. More on him … right now.
QB Hendon Hooker
Yes, Jared Goff just signed the largest contract in franchise history last week. But if anything, that makes Hooker’s future all the more fascinating. Hooker turns 27 in January, toward the end of his second season. The Lions drafted him to be a high-upside backup with starting potential if needed, but now that he’s blocked by Goff for the foreseeable future, could a trade down the road be the best way to maximize his value? It’s an interesting discussion. Probably not one for the 2024 season, but perhaps when we get deeper into his rookie contract.
In the meantime, these offseason practices are crucial for Hooker’s development. He didn’t have them a year ago when he was recovering from a torn ACL. Reporters never got a chance to see him take reps against the defense in practice, thanks to the in-season practice viewing restrictions in place by the time he returned.
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WR Jameson Williams
What a difference a year makes, huh? Last April, Williams was suspended six games (later reduced to four) for violating the league’s gambling policy. He had some growing up to do before he cracked the lineup. Now, the Lions finally feel like he’s at a point where he can be a dependable starter.
The Lions let Josh Reynolds walk in free agency, so now it’s Williams’ time. He’s a projected full-time starter for the first time in his career, slotting in as WR2 behind Amon-Ra St. Brown. And the Lions are going to need him. He’s going to get more reps, more targets, more opportunities to live up to the hype he entered the league with as the No. 12 pick in 2022. Time to take the training wheels off.
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Additionally, the wide receivers at large will be a group to watch. Donovan Peoples-Jones has an 800-yard season under his belt, and is the closest thing to a prototypical X receiver on the roster. Will he be a starter? Or will the Lions turn to Kalif Raymond? How about former Saints receiver Tre’Quan Smith? Can Green be a factor? There are some questions here. It might take some time to get firm answers.
(Top photo of Jameson Williams: Nic Antaya / Getty Images)
