On Tuesday, the Detroit Lions kick off three days of mandatory minicamp. There are two significant differences between mandatory minicamp and OTAs. The obvious one is that mandatory minicamp is mandatory, meaning unexcused absences are subject to fines, if a team elects to. The other difference is that while media gets once-a-week access during OTAs practices, media will be permitted to watch all three days of minicamp.
So as things kick off this week, here are six things I’ll be looking for at Lions mandatory minicamp this week.
Attendance
Over the last two weeks of OTAs, there have been about a dozen players missing, although most appear to be injury-related. Looking at our attendance list from last week, there are just a few veteran players who haven’t appeared and may be back for minicamp—but their return raises some interesting questions.
For example, if Alex Anzalone is back, who will be the starting MIKE linebacker: Jack Campbell or Derrick Barnes? Barnes has been limited himself, but it could be telling which player is repping with the starters during walkthroughs.
Additionally, will we see any of the offensive line starters? We know Taylor Decker and Frank Ragnow are resting offseason injuries, but could either of them be back for a set of mandatory practices?
Finally, I’m curious to see if Marcus Davenport shows up. At this point, it’s not clear if his absence is injury-related, but given how often he’s been hurt in the past, his attendance at minicamp could be very reassuring.
Will we get a look at the Lions’ potential starting CBs?
In Week 1 of OTAs, we saw Carlton Davis at the CB1 spot, playing opposite Kindle Vildor, with rookie Terrion Arnold sidelined for most team drills. In Week 2, Arnold was the CB1 opposite Vildor, and Davis was nowhere to be found.
If the Lions come out to minicamp with both Davis and Arnold as full participants, it could be our first look at Detroit’s highly-anticipated starting cornerback lineup for 2024.
Will any rookies get ‘promotions’?
The Lions have made it pretty standard that rookies have to work their way up from the bottom of the depth chart. At the same time, if a player starts to prove themselves—even as a rookie—they will not shy away from giving those players opportunities. With two weeks of OTAs in the books, is it possible any rookies have earned more opportunities?
To open practice, the Lions populate both fields for walkthroughs. One side has the starters and a few rotations. The other side has clear backups and roster bubble players. Through the two practices, I’ve only seen Arnold and Sione Vaki on the “starters” side. Will anyone join them this week?
Who will step up as WR3?
We know Amon-Ra St. Brown is a starter. We know expectations are high for Jameson Williams in Year 3. But who will be the Lions receiver who joins them in the starting lineup?
As of right now, it appears to be a three-man race: Donovan Peoples-Jones, Antoine Green, and Kalif Raymond. None of them have really had stand-out practices thus far, but it’s very early. Filling in Josh Reynolds’ role is not something that should be overlooked.
Safety depth?
We aren’t likely to see Kerby Joseph or Brian Branch this week, as they continue to recover from offseason procedures. However, one common criticism of the Lions' offseason is their failure to address the depth at the position. Their only addition was re-signing C.J. Moore after his indefinite suspension was lifted.
Can Moore justify Detroit’s inaction? Brandon Joseph is in Year 2 and has been getting starter reps alongside Ifeatu Melifonwu. Is he turning into a capable defender? Or will some of the new depth—UDFAs Chelen Garnes or Loren Strickland—make a noticeable impact?
Kicker (and long snapper?) battle
While I still think Michael Badgley is the heavy favorite to keep the kicker job, going 0-for-2 last week during the situational drills compared to James Turner certainly opens a window for the rookie from Michigan.
And while I don’t plan on spending a ton of time watching the long snappers, it’s worth at least acknowledging that the Lions brought in competition for Scott Daly, and I don’t think Hogan Hatten is just a camp body.
