Three position battles to watch on Lions offense
The Detroit Lions offense was ranked third in the NFL in yards (6,460) and fifth in points per game (26.6) last season. Most of the depth chart from last season returns on offense, but there are position battles to settle in training camp. Here are the most notable.
No. 3 running back
Free-agent addition David Montgomery and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs are the starting running back tandem. Meanwhile, third-year player Craig Reynolds and undrafted free-agent rookie Mohamed Ibrahim will battle for the third spot on the RB depth chart.
Reynolds, who re-signed with the Lions this offseason, will have the advantage heading into camp due to roster seniority. He is a physical back with a good burst at the point of attack.
Ibrahim is a punishing runner for his size (5-foot-10 and 210 pounds) with decent speed. Both players have the opportunity to make the roster. The question is, who will be the next player on the field when the starters take a rest?
Tight end
Rookie Sam LaPorta, who shined in rookie minicamp and OTAs, aims to fill the role vacated by fellow former Iowa tight end T.J. Hockenson, who was traded to Minnesota last season. All indications are that LaPorta will be the starter.
Brock Wright and James Mitchell will vie for the backup spot behind LaPorta. Wright was the starter last season after Hockenson's departure. Mitchell is a highly touted player out of Virginia Tech who made several splash plays during his rookie season with the Lions in 2022 (11 catches, 113 yards). Wright is a better run blocker, but Mitchell is a better receiver.
Starting right guard
Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Graham Glasgow will vie to start next to 2022 Pro Bowl right tackle Penei Sewell. OTAs and minicamp rules prevented contact, so there was no way to measure who was the top performer during offseason workouts.
The presumptive starter is Vaitai, who took a significant pay cut to join the team. He missed the 2022 season due to a back injury suffered during a preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He considered retirement during his rehab.
Glasgow, whom the Lions drafted in the third round in 2016, spent the past three seasons in Denver. He can play guard and center.
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