6 Storylines to Watch at Lions' Minicamp
As the Detroit Lions continue through the final stages of their offseason, mandatory minicamp is the next progression.
From June 6-8, the Lions will engage in a session required for the team. The team is already working together through organized team activities, with mandatory minicamp serving as the next step.
General manager Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell will be monitoring the action closely. The team is facing high expectations in 2023, so their performance throughout the offseason will be closely monitored.
Here are six storylines to watch ahead of mandatory minicamp:
Offensive rhythm
Initial reports out of OTAs have not been promising regarding the Lions' offense. Quarterback Jared Goff has struggled to build consistency leading the group.
In particular, he has struggled to connect with second-year wideout Jameson Williams. The 2022 first-round pick missed most of last season with an injury, so he's entering a big season.
The defense has been ahead of the offense in terms of production throughout open periods of practice. It's still early in terms of the team's overall progression, but the sputtering of Ben Johnson's group is hard to ignore.
Wide receiver depth
Most of the eyes have been on Williams throughout the early portion of OTAs. Facing a six-game suspension once the season begins, he's faced criticism regarding his decision making.
Yet, the attention will be diverted to his replacements once the Lions begin action. Outside of Amon-Ra St. Brown, the team will be searching for reliable replacements while the highly touted wideout is sidelined.
Kalif Raymond, Marvin Jones and Josh Reynolds are the natural candidates to replace Williams. The trio each has had their respective amounts of success within their careers.
There's also the chance an unheralded player makes noise. Keep an eye out for seventh-rounder Antoine Green, who showcased an ability to play the Lions' desired "X" receiver role at North Carolina.
Kicking battle
An interesting development from Detroit's most recent open portion of practice was the kicking battle between Parker Romo and Riley Patterson.
Currently, the Lions have three kickers on roster. Romo won the battle Thursday, making all five of his attempts within the showdown and displaying an impressive boot.
Patterson, though, is so well-liked by the Lions' brass that they traded a draft pick to get him from the Jacksonville Jaguars. The duo will be competing with the incumbent starter, Michael Badgley.
This competition will likely last through the preseason, but eventually Detroit will have to thin out at the position. Minicamp could be a defining factor in the team narrowing the battle down to a final two.
Secondary growth
The Lions' secondary was overhauled throughout the offseason. Holmes and Campbell dedicated resources in both free agency and the Draft to upgrading the talent in the defensive backfield.
Now, defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will be tasked with putting all the pieces together. So far, indications out of camp have been solid regarding the team's performance.
There's plenty of veteran leadership within the group, headlined by newcomer Cam Sutton and returning safety Tracy Walker III. Kerby Joseph was solid in his first season, and signee Emmanuel Moseley could be a steal if he heals quickly from his injury.
Evolution of defensive line
The defensive line is under new leadership in John Scott Jr., who took over for Todd Walsh. Alim McNeill is the headliner, as he's primed for another big step in his third season.
However, the depth of the interior will be tested. Behind McNeill, the team has options in players such as Isaiah Buggs, Benito Jones and Christian Covington.
An 8-year veteran, Covington was an interesting offseason addition. He brings a steadfast veteran presence and could wind up being a solid addition should he carve out a role.
The Lions possessed one of the league's worst run defenses a year ago. This position group will be key in fixing the team's struggles moving forward.
Roster bubble
It might be too early to tell exactly who is on the roster bubble, but a number of players are facing key offseason.
With the Lions' flurry of offseason moves, players at important positions will be battling for spots. Linebacker Derrick Barnes, safety Ifeatu Melifonwu and running back Craig Reynolds are among the players who have gained highly touted teammates at their positions.
As a result, these players will be fighting to maintain their spots on the roster. The talent level on the roster has undoubtedly increased, creating competition at every position ahead of the regular season.
