With a roster like the Detroit Lions' featuring a mix of proven veterans and young talent that has aspirations of a Super Bowl run, it's hard for late-round drafts picks like Georgia's Dominic Lovett to find their way on the initial 53-man roster coming out of training camp.
The speedster is joining a Lions wide receiver room that features established, reliable veterans in Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick and Kalif Raymond. The team also spent considerable draft capital moving up in the third round to take Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (6-4, 214).
Over the four seasons general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell have been in Detroit, they kept more than five receivers just one time (6) in their first season in 2021 coming out of camp. In 2022 and 2023, it was five while Williams was on Reserve/Injured (2022) and Reserve/Suspended (2023). Last year Detroit kept four out of camp but signed the veteran Patrick to the practice squad and then the active roster.
Lovett has the right approach after taking part in his first on-field activities with his new team during rookie minicamp last weekend.
"You basically start over at every level," Lovett said of his transition. "You go from high school to college, you have to start over. It's really just being a sponge and soaking up everything in the room knowing it's OK not to know everything, and guys have been here before you and just find a vet to stick with."
Lovett has some pretty good ones to choose from in that room but St. Brown and Raymond in particular are known workout warriors and two of the hardest workers on the entire roster. The first assignment for Lovett is sticking close to the vets and hitting the jugs machine after practice.
"Just find someone to stick with and let them show you the ropes," Lovett said. "It's not going to be perfect. You just have to accept that you're the new guy on the block. That's OK. Everybody was a rookie at a point, so you just have to come in and be a sponge."
Lovett is excited to join the vets in the OTA portion of practice in the coming weeks. One way a young player like Lovett can make an early impression, especially with this Lions coaching staff, is earning their stripes on special teams first.
That's an area where Lovett comes in with a good pedigree. Despite leading Georgia in receptions (59) and receiving touchdowns (6) last year, Lovett was also a gunner on special teams and did so for both of his seasons for the Bulldogs. In 2023 and 2024, Georgia allowed just 11 punt returns for 57 yards combined over that two-year stretch.
"I didn't play special teams until I got to Georgia, and that's where I found my value and my love (for it)," Lovett said. "I feel like special teams is another way to be on the field and another way to compete. I feel like it's a one-on-one battle from the man across from you. It's just you vs. him. I told them I'm willing to do whatever to get on the field."
View photos from Day 2 of Detroit Lions rookie minicamp on Saturday, May 10 2025 at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, Mich.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Zach Horton during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jackson Meeks during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Dominic Lovett during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Dan Jackson during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Caden Prieskorn during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ahmed Hassanein during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Tate Ratledge during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Ian Kennelly during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jakobie Keeney-James during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jackson Meeks during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions tight end Zach Horton during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Miles Frazier during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Gavin Holmes during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive assistant Bruce Gradkowski during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Tyleik Williams and Detroit Lions defensive lineman Keith Cooper Jr. during rookie minicamp at the Meijer Performance Center on May 10, 2025 in Allen Park, Mich. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions)
Detroit has one of the game's top gunners in cornerback Khalil Dorsey, but they'll be looking for a running mate for him on the other side with plenty of good options already on the roster. Lovett is a burner, and his 4.40 speed is his best asset.
He doesn't have any experience as a returner, but we'll see if Detroit looks to tap into that potential in OTAs and minicamp. We'll also see if he can transition to playing some more outside receiver, having played more than 86 percent of his snaps in the slot at Georgia. Detroit values versatility at receiver.
It certainly won't be easy for a player like Lovett to crack the roster, but that's the fun part about training camp. There always seems to be a player or two who come out of nowhere and put themselves into tough conversations the front office and coaching staff have to have come late August.
The Lions have proven over the last four years they don't care where a player is drafted or where they come from. If they can play, they play. Now it's up to Lovett to attach himself to veterans, learn the playbook, make plays when given the chance on offense, and maybe most importantly, stand out on special teams.
