The third phase of the offseason training program begins this week for the Detroit Lions. It's an opportunity for coaches and players to ramp up football activities.
This phase of the training program goes for the next four weeks in which teams may conduct a total of 10 days of organized team practice activity, or "OTAs". No live contact is permitted, but 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted. The team can also hold a three-day mandatory minicamp (June 4-6) during this period. One in every three OTA practices is open to the media in its entirety, which this week falls on Thursday.
Here are five things to look out for during OTAs:
1. Revamped cornerback room
The Lions ranked 27th against the pass last year and GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell went to work this offseason improving the secondary at the cornerback position.
Detroit traded for Carlton Davis III and signed versatile veteran Amik Robertson. They also re-signed Emmanuel Moseley, who missed all but two snaps last year with a torn ACL, and Kindle Vildor, who was a starter at the end of the year. Detroit then selected Terrion Arnold (No. 24 overall) and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (No. 61) with their first two picks in the draft.
Competition breeds success, and there will be plenty of competition for starting spots, playing roles and roster spots at cornerback. There's going to be some good players who can help a team on the outside looking in at the end of August, with the Lions having to make tough decisions.
View photos from offseason workouts on Thursday, May 16, 2024.
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) and Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu (59) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (80) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Antoine Green (18) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Steele Chambers (51) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Christian Mahogany (73) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (99) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (99) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) and Detroit Lions kicker Michael Badgley (17) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (48) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (94) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (94) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (24) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (48) and Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (24) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (24) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker James Houston (41) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions outside linebacker Nate Lynn (57) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Steele Chambers (51) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Steven Gilmore (24) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) and Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Brodric Martin (99) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (48) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell (46) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) during offseason workouts at the Lions Training Facility in Allen Park, MI on May 16, 2024. (Josh Mandujano/Detroit Lions)
2. Second-year players to watch
Detroit got massive contributions from first-year players like running back Jahmyr Gibbs, linebacker Jack Campbell, cornerback Brian Branch and tight end Sam LaPorta. If it's true players take their biggest leap in development from Year 1 to Year 2, what kind of contributions can we expect from those players this year? That should be fun to watch early on.
There's also players like quarterback Hendon Hooker, defensive lineman Brodric Martin, offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal and wide receiver Antoine Green who are looking to have a bigger impact in Year 2. Hooker will be in the mix to win the backup quarterback job and I wouldn't be surprised if there are some packages developed for him in the offense should he win the role.
Martin will be one I have a close eye on. He was drafted as a developmental player. Can he earn a consistent role? Green is another player who has a chance to earn a role in the receiver room after Josh Reynolds left for Denver in free agency.
3. Backup quarterback competition
With Teddy Bridgewater retiring to coach high school football in Miami, the competition to be Jared Goff's backup is wide open. Hooker is very much in the mix, but Nate Sudfeld will have something to say about that after he returns from a torn ACL suffered in the preseason last year. Sudfeld won the job in 2022.
I'm looking forward to seeing the improvements Hooker made this offseason. He offers something a little bit different at the position with his athleticism. He's also got a cannon for an arm. Who takes the second-team snaps to start? It will be interesting to see that battle play out in the spring and summer.
4. Breakout year for Williams?
Wide receiver Jameson Williams came on really strong at the end of last season and the Lions are certainly hoping he picks up where he left off. If he does, this offense will continue to be pretty special with Williams' ability to stretch the field and allow Amon-Ra St. Brown and LaPorta to work one-on-one over the middle.
I thought Williams really took a step forward the second half of last season with his route running. He made some tough catches in traffic, and he's never been one to shy away from contact, especially as a blocker in the run game. If he can step into that No. 2 role and be consistently productive, there are going to be a lot of opportunities for one-on-one coverage and for him to make big plays all over the field.
5. Rookies fitting in
It's a big jump for the rookies going from rookie minicamp to OTAs with the veterans. The most important thing is knowing the schemes and assignments so time isn't wasted with the little things like where to line up.
Last year we saw players like Gibbs, Branch and LaPorta fit in early on in OTAs. They were making plays in practices with the vets and that translated right to training camp and the regular season.
Will Arnold and Rakestraw look the part at cornerback next to vets like Davis, Branch and Robertson? What will those matchups with St. Brown and Williams look like? How does offensive lineman Giovanni Manu hold up early against some of Detroit's veteran pass rushers? Can running back Sione Vaki and defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo carve out roles? Can Christian Mahogany earn a backup role at guard? There are also the undrafted rookie free agents trying earn a roster spot on the most talented OTA roster in the Holmes and Campbell era. Can one or two of those players stand out?
