Hendon Hooker and other Detroit Lions who could benefit most from a strong training camp
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We've seen jobs won and lost. We've seen growth in training camp translate to the regular season. It's helped guys solidify their roles and get paid.
With camp set to begin Sunday, it's a good time to look at players who could benefit the most from strong performances.
QB Hendon Hooker: It's Year 3 for the former third-round pick, and Hooker finds himself amid a battle for the QB2 job. It would be surprising if Hooker loses to veteran backup Kyle Allen, but Hooker needs to show development now that he's had a full season. If he looks more comfortable throwing with timing and rhythm this training camp, it'll go a long way toward him solidifying the job.
RB Sione Vaki: The Lions drafted Vaki in the fourth round a year ago, with Holmes touting his upside as a running back after primarily playing safety in college. He was a major contributor on special teams as a rookie, but he flashed skills as a pass-catcher in the preseason and could earn more looks offensively as he continues to learn the RB position. The Lions trust Craig Reynold's knowledge of the playbook and their protections, but Vaki feels like the upside option. Is he ready to challenge for the RB3 job this season?
WR Jameson Williams: We're putting Williams here — not because he's on the bubble or the verge of losing his spot, but because a strong training camp could set him up for a productive season, and perhaps a lucrative contract extension. Williams is under contract for two more seasons, but he could either price himself out of Detroit or prove himself too valuable to lose with another 1,000-yard season — while staying out of the off-field spotlight. Coaches have raved about him this offseason, and Williams now has a year of production. Let's see if he can prove them right.
WR Isaac TeSlaa: The Lions traded some meaningful draft capital to trade up to No. 70 for TeSlaa's services. Holmes said he was his favorite WR in the draft, which speaks to how he's viewed in the organization. In many ways, TeSlaa's development could be tied to Williams. If he picks things up fast, it could make a potential Williams trade easier to swallow if the money becomes an issue. TeSlaa is a quick study — transitioning from wing-T high school QB to SEC WR in a matter of years. But the NFL is a different ballgame. If he performs well in camp, the Lions could trust him enough to see the field as a rookie, which could position him for a more meaningful role in 2026.
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G/C Graham Glasgow: The Lions value the experience and versatility of Glasgow, but they've stocked their interior offensive line with young talent in recent years. That puts pressure on him to perform — even more so when you consider he's coming off a season allowing the sixth-most pressures among guards. Perhaps the best way to maximize the young talent at guard and Glasgow's experience would be to move him to center full-time as Frank Ragnow's replacement. The Lions could start Christian Mahogany and rookie Tate Ratledge at guard and allow Glasgow — who doesn't love moving positions frequently — to settle at center and work directly with Jared Goff. He's a cerebral player whose mind could be more serviceable there than at guard. We'll learn in training camp if that's the plan for him.
T Giovanni Manu: Manu was already going to be on this list, but given the news that Taylor Decker will start training camp on the PUP, there will be even more eyes on Manu in training camp. The Lions can activate Decker at any point, but his absence should open more practice snaps for Manu. He spent much of his first season developing behind the scenes, and Manu said he believes he's grown tremendously since. The Lions know what they have in Dan Skipper as a reserve tackle, but now that it's Year 2, it will be interesting to see if the Lions trot out Manu with the first-team offense in camp to get a true sense of that growth. He has a chance to be a key piece of the future. This will be a good temperature check for him.
G Colby Sorsdal: A 2023 fifth-round pick, Sorsdal has made the roster each of the last two seasons, but he has his work cut out for him in 2025. Sorsdal was sparingly used as a sophomore after spot-starting as a rookie. The Lions have since added Tate Ratledge, Miles Frazier and Trystan Colon as interior depth. Sorsdal was spotted repping at center in OTAs, so maybe that versatility could help. But there aren't a ton of available spots along the offensive line.
DT Brodric Martin: The news that Levi Onwuzurike, placed on the reserve/PUP list Thursday, is set to miss the preseason and at least the first four games of the season is a blow to Detroit's defensive tackle depth. But while their games aren't the same, it could help Martin's chances of making the team. Alim McNeill and Mekhi Wingo are returning from knee injuries, too, so the Lions will need all the help they can get. Martin, a former third-round pick, has yet to earn even a rotational spot with the Lions as he enters his third season. Coaches have said his pad level is too high at time, and you have to wonder how prepared he was to play — considering the Lions signed practice-squad DTs to play over him when their depth was hit late last year. But team officials knew he was a developmental project when they drafted him. Holmes says it takes three years to properly evaluate a player. This feels like a make-or-break camp for Martin.
Edge Marcus Davenport: If we're being honest, the regular season — not the training camp — is what matters when it comes to Davenport. One could argue it would be better to limit his practice reps in camp, considering his biggest issue has been staying healthy. It's the reason many would like to see the Lions add more to the edge position. Za'Darius Smith is still unsigned, and he hasn't shut down the idea of a reunion. If Smith and the Lions reach a deal in training camp, the conversation surrounding Davenport changes. The Lions wouldn't need him to play a heavy workload, which could help him hold up better — thus benefitting him. Or maybe the Lions believe he can stay healthy after years of injury-related absences, like Tim Patrick proved was possible last year. He's worth monitoring. Detroit brought him back for a reason.
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CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.: Detroit's 2024 second-round pick didn't see the field much as a rookie, as he battled injuries and a lack of opportunity. He's got inside-out versatility, but the Lions are focusing on developing him as their No. 3 cornerback behind D.J. Reed and Terrion Arnold, rather than trotting him out at nickel to compete with Amik Robertson. He's an interesting one because teammates showed him love in OTAs this spring and was excellent in training camp last year. But there's no need to rush or force him into action. Depth is valuable, too.
Late-round picks and UDFAs: There is precedent for a drafted rookie not making the roster under this regime. In 2022, James Houston was a sixth-round pick who was cut before sticking around on the practice squad. Not often, but it's a possibility. That's why seventh-rounders like Dan Jackson and Dominic Lovett have work to do. Lovett is an intriguing player with his quickness and short-area ability, but the Lions' WR room has five roster locks already in Amon-Ra St. Brown, Williams, Tim Patrick, Kalif Raymond and TeSlaa. Would they enter a season with six? Certainly possible if Lovett proves his value on special teams. Jackson, meanwhile, has an easier path considering the lack of depth at safety. But he, too, needs to provide value on special teams. Strickland made the roster last year for his special-teams contributions, and 2024 UDFA safety Morice Norris stuck around long enough to earn some defensive snaps late in the year. They'll be vying for a roster spot, in addition to Grand Valley State product Ian Kennelly — a 2025 UDFA safety.
Speaking of UDFAs, the Lions have had at least one make the roster each year under Campbell, and every season dating back to 2010. In 2025, three UDFAs — Isaiah Williams, Hogan Hatten and Strickland — made the initial 53-man roster. The Lions give these guys a fair chance. They're worth paying attention to.
(Top photo of Hendon Hooker: Gregory Shamus / Getty Images)
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