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Detroit Lions biggest standouts during the offseason program

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  • Detroit Lions biggest standouts during the offseason program

    After finishing mandatory minicamp last week and the final se sions of organized team activities this week, the 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:CB Terrion ArnoldNot only has Arnold been able to Andy Pettitte Jersey hold his own in practice, he's also made standout plays, including a pair of interceptions, with one and the .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 VakiIn what is a very competitive running backs room, Vaki has been able to shine with his pa s-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 impre sive players from the spring, and I believe if he can get some of the fundamentals down when it comes to timing and pa s protection, he could carve out a role on offense, albeit a relatively small one," wrote."The rookie running back had a couple nice touchdown catches (on Day Yuli Gurriel Jersey 1 of mandatory minicamp), one on a screen pa s and the other on a diving reception at the goal line that earned some oohh's from his fellow teammates," 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 pa s 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 WilliamsWilliams was mentioned by head coach Dan Campbell as this offseason, and Campbell said Williams is "a man on a mi sion" and added that the former first-round pick has improved "everywhere.""The speed is undeniable with Williams," 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 OnwuzurikeIt 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 i sue, he also Gerrit Cole Jersey 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 impre sive during mandatory minicamp, where he notched a handful of pre sures/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 . (Josh) Paschal is too but Levi because where hes come from and all hes had to deal with, I mean, this guy just has continued to rehab, hes continued to train his Anthony Gose Jersey body and work, hes put on weight because his back can handle it now, we got him through last year to where hes able to bank some reps and hes 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 CampbellDefensive coordinator Aaron Glenn touched on Campbell's progre s so far this offseason, noting that the second-year linebacker has taken control of his role."Let me tell you, first off hes a man," Glenn said of Campbell. "Hes a grown man. Hes really taken control of this offseason the way that he should take control of it. Hes a true MIKE backer. Hes a guy that lives, breathes green-dot mentality as a MIKE backer..... Just the way hes leading the men, as far as defense, is impre sive to see.I think hes built off what he did at the tail end of last year. I think hes 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 TurnerAn undrafted free agent, Turner has been embroiled in a competition with veteran Michael Badgley for the kicker job, and Turner has been giving Badgley , 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 with UFL star and Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates and it's very po sible there will be another entrant into this competition in training camp. However, as of right now, it's fair to say J.R. Richard Jersey that Turner might be the favorite.
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