Minicamp is in the books and summer is almost here, so it’s time for one final mailbag before vacation.
The Detroit Lions have another set of practices this week, but the 50 or so players expected to attend are primarily rookies and first- and second-year players competing for roster spots. We’ve seen five well-attended workouts this spring between mandatory minicamp and organized team activities, enough to form a baseline of what to expect and from who this season.
I’ve got another week-plus of work before I go dark for the summer, and a couple interesting stories to bring your way. Before I get to those, it’s mail time.
Suppose Aaron Rodgers is gone from the Packers, does that make Brad Holmes more aggressive in the short term seeing a window of opportunity? Or will it not change how he is building the team? – @spleen95shortbr
This is an interesting question and a topic that came up in the media bleachers at minicamp.
The Lions have gone about this offseason the right way. They’ve brought solid people into the organization. They did not spend recklessly in free agency. They added future draft picks to assist with their rebuild. In short, they’ve taken a long-term approach rather than play the get-rich-quick game.
I do not expect the Lions to be contenders this fall, and if they are being honest, I think they would say the same. But if Rodgers is traded or retires, the NFC North suddenly becomes a roll of the dice that even the Lions can win.
The good news is we’re at a point in the calendar where there is not much Holmes can do to impact the Lions’ long-term future. Certainly, he could trade a draft pick to add to the roster, but I can’t see him parting with a premium pick under any circumstance. If a veteran comes loose in free agency, he could spend aggressively to add to the roster, but that would not impact the Lions’ long term.
We’re closing in on 30 years since the Lions won the division, so if they get to the Nov. 2 trade deadline and are in position to challenge for the title, it would be tough to fault Holmes for going for it. My fear, though, if Rodgers moves on, is the NFC North would play out like the NFC East last year, where a bunch of mediocre teams have sub-.500 records, and whoever makes the playoffs convinces themselves they’re a legitimate contender.
Washington was that team in the East last year, and winning the division impacted its rebuild in that it cost the Football Team valuable draft position and a chance to land its quarterback of the future. The Lions are in a better situation with Jared Goff at quarterback and extra first-round picks in 2022-23, but whatever happens on the field this year will no doubt shape how Holmes builds for the future.
Right now, do the Lions have enough talent in the WR position group to be successful with Goff? Will the Lions to try bolster their WR position group by signing a FA before camp? If so, who might that be? – @Althelion
How is the WR depth chart shaking out? – @eyenoknowthing
Got a few questions about the receiving corps, so I’ll combine these into one answer.
Tyrell Williams is clearly the Lions’ No. 1 receiver. Goff targeted him more than any player not named T.J. Hockenson during seven-on-seven drills, and Williams more consistently made plays than anyone else in the unit. He has dealt with a plethora of injuries over his career, so he’s no sure bet to produce . And if he doesn’t, I’m not sure what the Lions will get from their receiving corps.
Breshad Perriman and rookie Amon-Ra St. Brown joined Williams, Hockenson and running back D’Andre Swift on the field for two-minute work at the end of minicamp, and if the season started today, that likely would be the skill group working with Goff (with Darren Fells as the No. 2 tight end and Jamaal Williams seeing plenty of time at running back). At receiver, there’s little debate about Perriman and St. Brown’s spot on the depth chart for now. In Perriman’s case, especially, that’s more about the Lions’ lack of depth at the position than it is anything amazing he did during the open practices we saw. There is upside for St. Brown, but the truth is rookie receivers often have a tough transition to the NFL.
To answer the first question directly, I do not think the Lions have enough at receiver to field a dynamic offense, and that, in turn, could impact their evaluation of Goff. Hockenson seems like a good bet to lead the team in catches, and Swift and Williams will catch plenty of balls. But at receiver, specifically, the Lions are counting on two injury prone vets and a rookie, while hoping they get some contributions from return man Kalif Raymond or one of the unproven players battling for a roster spot. I’d put Quintez Cephus fifth at receiver for now, ahead of Victor Bolden and Damion Ratley, though that job is up for grabs.
As for adding a free agent at the position, there aren’t any impact options left, even for the Lions. Old friend Golden Tate is probably the best receiver on the market, and while Tate has some good football left in him, I don’t know why it would come in Detroit.
Can we expect this Lynn-led offense to run the ball a preponderance of the time? And, use play-action to take their shots downfield? – @underbruno
Lions offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn has said a couple times he is not the ground-and-pound guy everyone makes him out to be. I confess, when the Lions first hired Lynn, I looked at the one season he had calling plays with the Buffalo Bills and thought the Lions were going run-heavy on offense.
The reality is, it’s a coordinator’s job to implement the head coach’s vision for the offense, so maybe the way the Los Angeles Chargers played the past few years – they had a top-10 passing offense every season with Lynn as head coach – is Lynn’s true vision.
Now, head coach Dan Campbell has an admitted affection for the running game, and the Lions do not have the personnel to be a great passing team, so don’t go expecting The Greatest Show on Turf. But after watching the Lions up close last week, Lynn will aim for a good run-pass balance and find creative ways to use his personnel. He already has said the run-action game will be key to unlocking Goff’s downfield passing. Given Goff’s penchant to play small ball in L.A., the Lions will need a strong running game for that to work.
Of these three players, which do you think is most likely to receive a contract extension from the Lions? T.J. Hockenson, Jeff Okudah, Tracy Walker. – @FriedrichsJk
This is an easy one: Hockenson is on the verge of becoming one of the most prolific tight ends in the NFL. I’d be stunned if he doesn’t lead the team in receiving yards and touchdowns this season, and he will play this fall at 24 years old. The Lions locked Frank Ragnow up to a massive contract extension after his third NFL season. They should try and do the same with Hockenson next spring.
As for Okudah and Walker, Walker is the Lions’ No. 1 safety and could get his extension after the season, but this is a prove-it year on the field with a new staff. The Lions are several years away from needing to make a decision on Okudah, who had a disappointing rookie season that should not define him.
How come Dan Campbell is getting flamed by the national media for the kneecaps, race helmet, pet lion, etc. when he hasn’t coached a game, and there’s no handbook on how to be a successful coach? – @JHusocki_97
People have too much time on their hands, or maybe too much air time to fill. Campbell deserves credit for being real and letting his personality show in a league far too serious at times. Donning a racing helmet for a minute on a slow day in June has no bearing on whether he is focused on coaching the Lions or how good he will do at that job.
[ Dan Campbell may be ‘the only guy that can resurrect’ the Lions. Here’s why ]
Campbell should and will be judged by his record on the field, but I’ve found him to be a breath of fresh air, and there’s no doubt he has connected with Lions fans.
What book are you reading this summer? – @ap_rambo10
I’ve got a confession to make: I don’t read many books these days, but it’s something I’m trying to be better at. I just picked up “The Last Lecture” at the suggestion of a friend and finished that in two days. I do some poolside reading for the summer, though, and with Father’s Day coming up, I need your suggestions. What’s the one book I should pick up before camp?
If a reader spots you at a watering hole, what drink should they have the bartender deliver? – @TeachingZeus
Contact Dave Birkett at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @davebirkett.