Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Mike Payton | Last updated 7/22/24
We’re here. Detroit Lions training camp starts up this week and we are on our way to preseason football. We’ll be watching the Lions take on the Rams in Week 1 before you know it. But first, there’s some questions to be answered at camp. We have the 10 biggest ones. Here they are:
Is Jameson Williams ready to step up?
Perhaps the biggest question of them all. The Lions showed a lot of faith in Williams when they didn’t go out looking for a receiver this offseason. Can he show that he’s ready to take on that number two spot and be a full time starter for the first time in his career? We’re about to find out.
Who is WR3?
Sticking with the receivers for the next one. Like we said, the Lions didn’t go out and get more depth at receiver. Then they lost Josh Reynolds who was second in receiving on this team last year. Who is stepping up to be that number three guy if Williams is the number two? Will it Be Donovan Peoples-Jones? With a skill set that’s similar to Reynolds, it makes sense. But can he do it?
Can Marcus Davenport stay healthy?
So far that’s not looking so good. Davenport will open up camp on the PUP list. He is expected to be a starter for the Lions in 2024. He won’t be that unless he can get healthy and stay healthy. If he can’t, it wouldn’t be a big shocker if he’s cut at the cutdown deadline and the Lions go with someone else.
Is James Houston ready for primetime?
Houston had a big rookie season with eight sacks, but there’s been a lot of questions since then. Mostly about what position he plays and can he be more than just a pass rush specialist? This is a huge camp for him. Houston can go out and earn a starting spot and make sure he can stay on the field all game. We’re talking about a potentially career defining August here. Can he do it?
How will Terrell Williams impact be felt?
The Lions made a big hire this offseason with new defensive line coach Terrell Williams. He is widely regarded as one of the best d-line coaches there is. How much will he be able to make an impact with guys like Brodric Martin, Levi Onwuzurike, Josh Paschal and Mekhi Wingo? If he can get them ready to be big contributors this season, that’s going to be huge for this defense.
Who will be the tackle 3?
This is an interesting one. The Lions have the best offensive line in football, but depth is key as well. There’s going to be a competition for that third tackle spot. Dan Skipper, Colby Sorsdal and Connor Galvin are going to duel it out. Giovanni Manu is expected to redshirt this season. He’ll make the roster, but how much he’ll play is another question.
Who is the RB3?
Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have the starting running back spots nailed down. Who’s going to take that third spot? Right now fourth-round pick Sione Vaki seems like the easiest choice because the Lions could do a lot with him, but will he be ready right away? Zonovan Knight showed some promise last year before his injury, but he’ll have to beat out Craig Reynolds. This might be the most fun camp battle of the year. Who is this years camp darling?
There’s some strong competition out there. Tom Kennedy always has a chance, but Kaden Davis, Daurice Fountain, Jake Funk, Loren Strickland and a few others could come in and win some summer lovin this year. Tell me more, tell me more. Like does he have a car?
What will Hendon Hooker look like out there?
This has to be the second biggest question of the offseason. Hendon Hooker is going through his first training camp this year and everyone is waiting for August 8th when we’ll get to see him take the field and take some snaps for the first time in his career. How will he look? Will it blow people away, or will he struggle? We’re going to find out very soon.
How will the new secondary gel?
The Lions went out and did a full on overhaul of their secondary this offseason and now we get to see how they meld together. So far the things were looking good at OTAs and minicamp, but now the pads are on. This group needs to succeed if the Lions want to win the Super Bowl. Let’s see how they look in the next month.