The Detroit Lions have built one of the NFC’s best rosters in three years under Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell. They have top-end talent on the offensive line, improved depth in the secondary and a collection of young players expected to serve key roles this fall.
Most of their starting lineup is set, and only a handful of back-end roster spots appear up for grabs, but with training camp set to open Sunday, here are five of the most intriguing position battles to watch this summer — battles that could help determine the Lions’ success:
No. 2 cornerback
The Lions overhauled their secondary this offseason, signing veterans Cam Sutton, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Emmanuel Moseley in free agency. Sutton immediately became the Lions’ top cornerback, and Gardner-Johnson will play as a safety/slot corner this fall. Moseley, meanwhile, will compete for the No. 2 cornerback job with Jerry Jacobs, one of the Lions’ few holdovers at defensive back.
Detroit Lions cornerback Jerry Jacobs (39) celebrates his sack on Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) during second half action Sunday, December 11, 2022.
Moseley should get first crack at the starting job, but he’s returning from a torn ACL and could face practice restrictions early in camp. Jacobs had a solid rookie season before tearing his ACL, then made eight starts upon his return last season. He won’t give up his starting role easily, and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn insists the best man will play.
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No matter who emerges as starter, the Lions are in a good place, finally, with some depth at cornerback.
Right guard
Halapoulivaati Vaitai is back from back surgery and the frontrunner to fill the final starting spot on the Lions offensive line, but don’t count Graham Glasgow out of the mix. Glasgow has starting experience at guard and center and has been more durable than Vaitai throughout their…
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