After some days off following their latest session of voluntary organized team activities on Friday, May 31, the Detroit Lions are set to return to the field for mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.
The Lions' mandatory minicamp will run for three days, from Tuesday, June 4, to Thursday, June 6. And, as the name indicates, this is the first part of the offseason in which players must take part, unless they aren't healthy enough to do so.
Detroit should have at least one session open to the media over the course of the three-day event, although the exact date has not been confirmed yet.
Once mandatory minicamp wraps up, the Lions will have three more days of OTAs from June 10-12 before they get a month-plus break prior to the start of training camp in late July.
Here's a look at four things to watch for as the Lions prepare for mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.
Lions mandatory minicamp
Who participates?
The Lions had a long list of players who did not take part in organized team activities the last two weeks, and there were some very notable names on that list.
The list of non-participants from the last open practice of OTAs was as follows: LT Taylor Decker, C Frank Ragnow, G Kevin Zeitler, RB Jahmyr Gibbs, DL DJ Reader, OLB Marcus Davenport, CB Carlton Davis III, LB Alex Anzalone, DB Brian Branch, S Kerby Joseph, WR Antoine Green, G Christian Mahogany, DL Kyle Peko, CB Emmanuel Moseley, CB Carlton Davis, CB Craig James.
Gibbs, Decker, Ragnow, Davenport and Branch did not take part in the first open practice, either, and Zeitler, Mahogany, Peko, Moseley, Davis and James were new additions to the list.
We already know Joseph and Branch will definitely not take part as they recover from injury, and we should learn more about the rest of these players over the course of the next three days.
How are the rookies progressing?
Almost all of the Lions' rookies — including the 2024 NFL Draft picks — will serve in backup roles this season, but we still want to see them progressing and standing out and actually earning the chance to be the first man off the bench.
The most important of the group is no doubt Terrion Arnold, who is expected to land the starting role opposite Carlton Davis. Arnold has impressed so far this offseason, as the rookie hasn't looked overmatched and has a pair of picks.
We're also zoning in on Christian Mahogany, who sat out last week's open practice, and Ennis Rakestraw, who has been limited all offseason. A return to practice would be huge for both, as missed practice time can delay development.
The kicker competition
Michael Badgley and UDFA James Turner are competing for the starting job right now in what is one of the more high-profile competitions for the Lions in 2024.
Turner seemed to come away with the better day during the last open session of OTAs. This race appears to be neck-and-neck, so don't write Badgley's name in pen just yet.
Other position battles
Most of the other position battles are for reserve roles, but there is one starting job to keep an eye on.
As we already stated, Terrion Arnold is expected to come away with the starting cornerback job opposite Carlton Davis, but I wouldn't say that's guaranteed quite yet. Other names in the mix include Ennis Rakestraw, Amik Robertson and Emmanuel Moseley.
There are also some backup competitions to keep an eye on, namely at quarterback (Hendon Hooker vs. Nate Sudfeld), all along the offensive line and at wide receiver. Hooker's progress will be particularly interesting to watch.
Also keep an eye on who Detroit deploys in the slot with Brian Branch not taking part. The defensive back is expected to be ready by training camp, but head coach Dan Campbell did leave the door open for his recovery to take longer.
The Lions will want an insurance policy just in case he isn't ready for the start of the season. Amik Robertson saw reps there last week, but look for Ennis Rakestraw to get a look there if he's healthy enough to fully participate.
