After finishing mandatory minicamp last week and the final sessions of organized team activities this week, the Detroit Lions are now turning their focus to training camp, which will begin in late July after a month-plus break.
Of course, training camp and the preseason are the most important parts of the offseason, as that's when the pads come on and positional battles are really decided.
However, we can't discount the momentum that players have built over the course of the offseason workout program, whether that be at OTAs or mandatory minicamp.
With that in mind, we wanted to highlight six players who stood out the most over the spring. Included on the list are three rookies and one second-year player who looks primed to make a big leap in 2024. Here's the full list:
Lions' biggest standouts
CB Terrion Arnold
Not only has Arnold been able to hold his own in practice, he's also made standout plays, including a pair of interceptions, with one coming at rookie minicamp and the other during OTAs.
Adding to that, the rookie has been getting first-team reps on the outside opposite Carlton Davis, which shows he's in line to start, something that was expected as soon as he was drafted.
Expectations should always be tempered with a rookie, but as of right now Arnold is on the right track to making an impact in his first season.
RB Sione Vaki
In what is a very competitive running backs room, Vaki has been able to shine with his pass-catching. As a result, he's making the case to have a small role on offense on top of his expected special teams duties.
"Vaki was one of the most impressive players from the spring, and I believe if he can get some of the fundamentals down when it comes to timing and pass protection, he could carve out a role on offense, albeit a relatively small one," Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit wrote.
"The rookie running back had a couple nice touchdown catches (on Day 1 of mandatory minicamp), one on a screen pass and the other on a diving reception at the goal line that earned some oohh's from his fellow teammates," Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com wrote last week. "Vaki is going to get a lot of run on special teams but one area that has stood out to me so far this spring is his playmaking potential in the pass game. He's got great hands. It's something to continue to monitor come training camp."
Vaki figures to land no lower than fourth on the depth chart, but perhaps he can work his way up to No. 3 if he can have a strong showing in training camp.
WR Jameson Williams
Williams was mentioned by head coach Dan Campbell as the most improved player this offseason, and Campbell said Williams is "a man on a mission" and added that the former first-round pick has improved "everywhere."
"The speed is undeniable with Williams," Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com wrote. "He's probably one of the five fastest players in the league. This spring we've also seen his ability to make plays within the entire route tree and all over the field, not just deep down the field utilizing that long speed. Williams made a couple tough catches in the middle of the field in traffic and contested on the sideline, which speaks to his gained strength."
The Lions are going to need more out of Williams after the departure of Josh Reynolds. So far, it looks like he'll be able to answer the bell.
DL Levi Onwuzurike
It has been a rough three seasons for Onwuzurike since entering the league as a second-round pick in 2021. Not only has the defensive lineman dealt with a back issue, he also hasn't been effective when on the field.
Going into the 2024 offseason, many rightly thought Onwuzurike could end up not making the roster, but he has quickly turned that narrative around.
The veteran lineman was particularly impressive during mandatory minicamp, where he notched a handful of pressures/sacks over the three-day event. But Campbell also heaped praise on his offseason work.
“Levi is having a really good spring,” Campbell said, according to Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire. “(Josh) Paschal is too but Levi – because where he’s come from and all he’s had to deal with, I mean, this guy just has continued to rehab, he’s continued to train his body and work, he’s put on weight because his back can handle it now, we got him through last year to where he’s able to bank some reps and he’s having a really good spring.”
Onwuzurike has also displayed some versatility, with the veteran lineman seeing reps on the edge. At this point, it would be surprising if he didn't make the initial 53-man roster en route to carving out some semblance of a role for himself.
LB Jack Campbell
Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn touched on Campbell's progress so far this offseason, noting that the second-year linebacker has taken control of his role.
"Let me tell you, first off he’s a man," Glenn said of Campbell. "He’s a grown man. He’s really taken control of this offseason the way that he should take control of it. He’s a true MIKE backer. He’s a guy that lives, breathes green-dot mentality as a MIKE backer..... Just the way he’s leading the men, as far as defense, is impressive to see.”
“I think he’s built off what he did at the tail end of last year. I think he’s obviously more comfortable with the play calls,” fellow linebacker Alex Anzalone said of Campbell.
Campbell has also made some standout plays throughout the offseason program. We saw that on Day 1 of mandatory minicamp, when he notched a pair of interceptions off quarterback Jared Goff.
Campbell has been seeing the majority of the first-team reps at MIKE linebacker over Derrick Barnes, so he appears to be the favorite to be on the field when Detroit isn't in a three-linebacker set.
K James Turner
An undrafted free agent, Turner has been embroiled in a competition with veteran Michael Badgley for the kicker job, and Turner has been giving Badgley a run for his money, to say the least.
Turner has bested Badgley on multiple occasions, including at minicamp this past week, but we haven't seen any reports of the opposite happening. Adding to that, Turner has shown the big leg that the Lions are looking for, with the rookie routinely making kicks from 50-plus yards.
Detroit has reportedly met with UFL star and Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates and it's very possible there will be another entrant into this competition in training camp. However, as of right now, it's fair to say that Turner might be the favorite.
