After an outstanding free agency period and draft leading to fans going on a roller coaster of emotions, the next off-season interval is upon the NFL community; OTAs (optional team activities).
Lions’ GM Brad Homes already revamped the secondary, adding CJ Gardner Johnson, who led the league with six INTs in 2022, Cam Sutton, and Emanuel Mosley in free agency. Not to mention adding stand-out Alabama DB Brian Branch via the draft. The team bulked up the front seven when they selected Brodric Martin, a 6’5″ 331-pound behemoth, in the fourth round out of Western Kentucky. The front office not only addressed the team’s crucial off-season needs but strengthened their top-5 scoring offense from 2022 by drafting Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta while signing David Montgomery to a three-year contract.
From a roster standpoint, the team is nothing short of stacked. Unless Brad Holmes wants to reel in a really, really, really, big fish- Quinnen Williams- the Lions aren’t likely to add another starting-caliber player. So, what now? What remaining questions do Lions fans still have about this team? What questions will be answered during OTAs?
Who’s the Lions’ starting Right Guard?
Lions RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai (72) – Joe Sargent/Getty Images
Halapoulivaati Vaitai is coming off a back injury that kept him out all of 2022. The Lions signed Graham Glasgow to a one-year deal, returning him to the team that drafted him in 2016. If Vaitai can return to pre-injury form, the job will likely be his. However, odds are typically stacked against 6’6″, 325-pound men nearing 30 years of age with back injuries. As OTAs continue, Dan Campbell and the Lions will get a better look at the state of Vaitai, who renegotiated his contract this spring. Vaitai and Glasgow will likely battle it out at training camp to see who gets to start Week 1. The Bosscher sportsbook has this as a pick ’em.
Will Gibbs and Montgomery be splitting reps?
The answer to this question should completely depend on the Week and opponent. If Dan Campbell believes the best way to attack the opposing team is a ground-and-pound method of play, Montgomery will eat. If the gameplay is to spread out a defense and get the ball to playmakers in space, Gibbs will be used accordingly. That’s the beauty of the Lions’ offense; Ben Johnson can beat you with several different schemes and personnel.
Their snaps will be near even. Gibbs’ speed will be used in the passing game and outside zone schemes. Expect him to be used early and often for the first six weeks when the Lions’ other speedster, Jameson Williams, is serving his suspension. Montgomery will get the snaps on 4th and inches when Dan Campbell can’t resist relying on his offensive line. Like last season, there isn’t an option A and B. There are two options, and both will have their respective skill sets maximized.
What rookie is most likely to break out early?
Lions Rookie RB Jahmyr Gibbs – Detroit Lions
Typically, teams don’t draft players 12th overall if they don’t plan to use them immediately. Teams also don’t typically draft running backs in the first round unless they plan to use them right away. A GM also doesn’t typically trade away a quality starting running back to let a rookie become an essential part of the offense. However, the Lions are no typical team.
Jahmyr Gibbs has freak speed and athleticism. Running an astounding 4.36 forty, he’s been compared to Alvin Kamara (who ran a 4.53) because of his strong, physical, and aggressive run style in open space (Tyreek Hill ran a 4.29 for reference). A player as talented as Gibbs will thrive in a Ben Johnson system that already features Amon Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and a daunting offensive line.
What rookie is most likely to break out late?
Lions Rookie DB Brian Brach – Kirby Lee/USA TODAY Sports
In a loaded secondary, Brian Branch will have to earn every snap early on in the season. Luckily, Branch understands the circumstance and dedication it will take to earn those reps.
“I have to learn every position because you never know… Easiest way to get on the field,” Branch told Tim Twentyman, fellow Lions beat reporter.
Branch has made it a point to learn behind CJ Gardner-Johnson, a fitting mentor. During his time at Alabama, Branch was far from a one-trick pony. He played in the box, over the top, on the line. He played the role of a corner, safety, and even linebacker at times, with 90 tackles, three sacks, and a pair of interceptions. Additionally, Branch played behind guys like Patrick Surtain II during his time at Alabama.
Gardner-Johnson has had an extremely similar role in the NFL, playing linebacker, safety, DB, and even scout quarterback in his four years in the NFL. Both are jack-of-all-trades type players who can be on the field in any package. However, with CJ Gardner Johnson only on a one-year deal, perhaps the apprentice will one day, sooner rather than later, be the master.
What is the Achilles heel of this team?
In 2022, the Lions gave up the fourth-most yards and touchdowns on the ground. When an opposing team rushed on the Lions, there was over a 28.3 percent chance it resulted in a first down, the second-worst mark in the league.
First-round pick Jack Campbell, and fourth-round pick Brodric Martin, should certainly help out, but until we see it, it’s still the soft spot on a roster with very few holes.
