Rounding out our Lions camp preview looking at the defensive storylines

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Allen Park — With training camp opening Wednesday for the Detroit Lions, we're taking a look at the position-by-position competitions worth monitoring. After covering the offense this morning, let's explore the defense to close out the day. 

Edge rusher

While it will absolutely be worth monitoring whether Aidan Hutchinson can translate a handful of his 90 quarterback hits and hurries into sacks – thrusting him into the conversation of the league's elite pass rushers – that corner turning isn't going to reveal itself during camp. Instead, eyes will be fixed on who can emerge opposite the former No. 2 pick. 

The team has no shortage of options, but are lacking a strong favorite. Even though we've yet to see him in a Lions uniform, there's hope Marcus Davenport ends up the clear choice. A free-agent addition who will start camp on the physically unable to perform list, the 2018 first-round pick is three years removed from a 9.0-sack campaign in New Orleans. Injuries have prohibited from repeating that performance, but the size (6-foot-6, 265 pounds) and physical gifts are there to be a good stylistic fit to pair with Hutchinson. 

While Davenport works toward getting medically cleared, Josh Paschal, John Cominsky and James Houston will have early opportunities to command extended consideration. Paschal, a second-rounder in 2022, has yet to demonstrate any consistency as a pass-rusher, but is at least solid against the run. Cominsky's production took a step back in 2023 after a strong debut season in Detroit a year earlier. And Houston, who captured the imagination of fans with an eight-sack flurry to finish his rookie season, found himself languishing on the back end of the depth chart last training camp before an early-season broken ankle derailed hopes for an encore. 

There are also a couple of deeper options who are worth keeping an eye on as dark-horse contributors. The team added the CFL's top defensive player, Mathieu Betts, who racked up 18.0 sacks for the BC Lions in 2023, giving way to hopes the team might stumble upon the next Cameron Wake. There's also Mitchell Agude, the long, lean practice squader who was popping with some extra reps with the first- and second-team units this offseason while Davenport was sidelined. 

Defensive tackle

Alim McNeill slimmed down and took a massive step forward as a pass-rusher in 2023, all while maintaining his ability to play the run at a high level. His complement in the starting lineup, Benito Jones, was a solid space eater who played a key role in the team's overall effectiveness against the run, but the team managed to land a significant upgrade at the nose with the signing of DJ Reader via free agency. He's still working his way back from a torn quad, but should be a force multiplier once he's cleared. 

The depth behind those projected starters is more of an unknown commodity. Levi Onwuzurike looks healthy and primed to finally deliver on the potential the Lions saw when they drafted him in the second round of the 2021 draft. Still, after logging just 132 defensive snaps last season, it's OK to take a wait-and-see approach on whether the problems with his back are truly behind him. 

The Lions have two younger options who should round out the rotation. It would be encouraging to see Brodric Martin, a developmental third-round pick from a year ago, take an anticipated step forward as a contributor. The physical tools and rare size are readily apparent, but his technique, pad level and endurance weren't pro ready coming out of college. It will be fun to see how much new position coach Terrell Williams – a guru for maximizing interior lineman – can get out of Martin. 

Finally, there's Mekhi Wingo, who is on the opposite side of the size spectrum as Martin, but has the natural leverage and first-step quickness to be a situational pass-rush factor, even as a rookie. Wingo will likely also see some sub-package reps on the edge. 

Linebacker

It doesn't feel like there's much mystery regarding Detroit's linebacking group. Alex Anzalone remains an every-down fixture as the quarterback of the defense, while Jack Campbell and Derrick Barnes are likely to continue splitting time in the middle when the team is in its base nickel package. 

We'll all be looking to Campbell to make the second-year jump after seeing extensive playing time as a rookie, and if the early offseason offered a reliable glimpse into the future, there's potential for increased playmaking to go with the healthy tackle totals. 

The depth will be rounded out by reliable backups and ace special teamers Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Malcolm Rodriguez. Veteran Ben Niemann, a June addition, also has extensive special teams experience, which should help him push for a roster spot as he gets more time to show Lions coaches what he can do. 

Cornerback

The aggressive overhaul of the cornerback room was the dominant storyline of the offseason. General manager Brad Holmes went to work trading for Carlton Davis III, signing Amik Robertson, re-signing Emmanuel Moseley and drafting Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw with the team's first two selections. 

As Holmes put it after those picks, the competition is going to be a "bloodbath."

Without hesitation, you can pencil in Davis as one of the starters, and it looks like Arnold is on track to be the choice on the opposite side for Week 1. But the rookie will have to fend off the challenge of Moseley, who is cleared to return from his second ACL injury in as many years. Having the physical and fundamentally sound veteran in the mix to push the rookie should only accelerate Arnold's development. 

Robertson and Rakestraw mostly saw time in the slot during the early portion of training camp while Brian Branch rehabbed from offseason surgery, with the vet getting most of the first-team reps. That figures to continue entering camp with Branch starting on the PUP list. 

In terms of depth, Khalil Dorsey and Kindle Vildor are both rosterable talents with special teams potential, while youngsters Steven Gilmore and Morice Norris will need strong camp and preseason performances to avoid ending up on the practice squad. Norris did a nice job putting himself on the radar with steady improvement through the early portion of the offseason program. 

Safety

The starting options appear set with rangy playmaker Kerby Joseph and 2023's breakout star Ifeatu Melifonwu back in the fold. The thing to watch is how the Lions deploy Branch once he's healthy. The second-year standout out of Alabama was caged to nickel most of his rookie year, but he's a talent you want on the field every down. That could lead to more safety reps in 2024, necessitating a rotation similar to the one the Lions utilized late in the year last season, after C.J. Gardner-Johnson returned from injury. 

The safety depth was shakier before the Lions re-added C.J. Moore, coming off a year-long suspension for violating the league's gambling policy. He's a stud special teamer who can hold down the fort in a pinch as a mid-game injury replacement. 

Second-year man Brandon Joseph, who spent most of his rookie year on Detroit's practice squad, has also put himself in position to round out the depth chart on the 53-man roster. He might not possess elite physical tools, but he's got high football IQ and playmaking ability, demonstrated by 10 interceptions his final three college seasons.