For all intents and purposes, with final OTA sessions next week for younger players, 2024 offseason work is over for the Detroit Lions.
There’s definitely a sense of “all business” that reporters picked up on, even during OTAs and minicamp without pads on, which is a tentacle of the “unfinished business” moniker players had after the loss to the 49ers in the NFC Championship. Before Thursday’s final minicamp practice, head coach Dan Campbell said he wants the “whole enchilada.”
For a solid chunk of Lions’ players, OTAs and this week’s minicamp was important. With some veterans seeing limited or no work due to injury recovery, etc., players with more at stake got a chance to work. For some, just getting practice reps before training camp was huge.
Whatever the individual circumstance is, these five Lions are on the rise after minicamp.
5 Detroit Lions players whose stock is on the rise after minicamp
5. PK James Turner
In a broad sense, Michael Badgley is begging to be replaced as the Lions’ kicker. The team doesn’t seem terribly interested in replacing him, only adding former Michigan kicker Turner as a UDFA. Options may surface now with the UFL season winding down (Jake Bates, Andre Szmyt), but the Lions seem to have a legit kicking competition now-if they will let it happen.
By all accounts, Turner outdid Badgley at minicamp, particularly on longer range field goals. It was unclear if Turner had that in him, as he was simply not asked to kick long field goals that much at Michigan.
Yes, making kicks during OTAs will be far different from the greater intensity preseason games, and even training camp, will bring. But Turner went from cursory competition for Badgley to (potentially) a legit option to be the Lions’ kicker this year when the dust settles.
4. EDGE Mitchell Agude
Going with a sneaky one here. Agunde spent all of last season on the practice squad, but multiple reporters took very positive note of his work during OTAs and minicamp as he got higher-level reps. As the Lions search for capable edge rushers when camp starts, he’s got undeniable momentum going in.
3. DT Levi Onwuzurike
Around Dan Campbell’s minicamp comments that Onwuzurike has has a good spring, the former second-round pick had noticeable showings during Tuesday and Wednesday practices. He said he has added weight, and with his back fully healthy for the first time since college he had a simple explanation for the difference in how he feels and thus how he can perform better.
“The best way I can explain it is everything is moving together as one. Speed to power, my whole body feels like one, all together”, Onwuzurike said.
2. LB Jack Campbell
Campbell had a solid, if up and down, rookie season last year. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and fellow linebacker Alex Anzalone have both noticed and praised his growth during offseason work.
“Let me tell you, first off he’s a man. He’s a grown man. He’s really taken control of this offseason the way that he should take control of it,” Glenn said. “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.”
On the first day of minicamp, Campbell was the star of the day as he intercepted Jared Goff twice. He’s lined up for a more significant role in the Lions’ defense this year, and he did everything during OTAs and minicamp to show he’s ready for it.
1. WR Jameson Williams
Dan Campbell called Williams the most improved Lions’ player this spring, while broadly saying he had improved “everywhere.” Williams seems to be a better-adjusted, more mature player and person, and even with some ups and downs when reporters chronicled his practice work he has taken huge steps to show he’s ready to pay off his potential this year.
No less an authority than Jared Goff has noticed Williams’ progress this offseason.
"It's been really fun to see him do his thing."
Jared Goff said Jameson Williams' first offseason running with the starters has been huge for the Lions wide receiver. pic.twitter.com/P7ZrGG00hq
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) June 5, 2024
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