The Detroit Lions are coming off a successful season that left them just a half game away from a Super Bowl birth. After a strong offseason where they invested a nearly a half billion into their core, it seems they are primed for several runs at a similar type of season. Detroit has a very deep roster and with that comes many position battles within training camp and preseason. We will investigate the top 3 position battles to keep an eye on.

DONOVAN PEOPLES-JONES VS. DAURICE FOUNTAIN

DPJ is a hometown guy that was traded by the Browns for a 6th round pick at the trade deadline last year. DPJ took most of the year getting his feet wet in a brand-new offense and had very few targets. Fast forward to this year he is in a battle for the 3rd wide receiver position. Thus far he has had a quiet camp but will get many opportunities to make some noise in preseason reps. Daurice Fountain is a player that has bounced around the league since being drafted in the 5th round by the Indianapolis Colts. He even stated that he was near giving the game up. He credits his former teammate Nsimba Webster and current teammate Kalif Raymond with encouraging him to not give up on his dreams. Fountain’s physicality and big play ability has caught the eye of Lion’s coach Dan Campbell early on in camp. Campbell states “Man, have a big receiver that runs pretty good for that size, and he plays physical, he kind of brings a different game in that room and can potentially help us on special teams, man that’s a good sign”.

Lions WR Daurice Fountain making a TOUGH grab on Terrion Arnold 👀#OnePride pic.twitter.com/KTq4fx7vIM

— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 📰 (@BrandNewDET) August 2, 2024

ENNIS RAKESTRAW VS. AMIK ROBERTSON

Ennis Rakestraw has been one of the hotter topics thus far in camp. Mostly due to his grittiness and playmaking ability. The moment the team put pads on the second-round pick’s skills intensified, displaying confidence and physicality in the run game. Rakestraw has put his playmaking skills on showcase picking his first of three passes of camp at the hands of Hendon Hooker. He has a forced fumble to go along with that. Rakestraw saw some first team reps in practice in the absence of Calton Davis who was held out of practice due to a minor injury. The starting nickelback position will not go without a fight. Amik Robertson is coming into camp with a chip on his shoulder, and with much to prove to those who have counted him out. “People always look at my size and underestimate it. I’m 5-9, I know I play big. That’s the role (Aaron Glenn) wants, if it’s corner or nickel, wherever I’m on the field. I’ll just be myself within the scheme”- Robertson states. He is a versatile corner, formally a member of the Oakland Raiders secondary. He brings 21 games of starting experience where he has played inside and out.

Rookie CB Ennis Rakestraw’s interception on Hendon Hooker…

Moments later, His bestfriend Terrion Arnold celebrates with him 🥹#OnePride pic.twitter.com/1eS9phHcXZ

— 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔇𝔢𝔱𝔯𝔬𝔦𝔱 𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢𝔰 📰 (@BrandNewDET) July 30, 2024

NATE SUDFELD VS. HENDON HOOKER

Nate Sudfeld was the Lion’s backup Quarterback in 2022 but a knee injury cut his camp short last year, and he was forced to land on the IR list. Sudfeld has displayed the talent to be a solid backup in the NFL. Although in the past, joint practices and preseason games have exposed some of the weaknesses in his game. Thus far he has had a solid camp, and the general consensus is, he is the more competent QB currently between him and Hooker. Hendon Hooker was drafted in the third round by the Lions but spent the entire 2023 season nursing a torn ACL that he suffered late in his college career. Hooker has big expectations to live up to being that he was an injury away from being a much more prized pick and the Lions have hopes that he will be slotted as the backup QB going into the season. The coaches appear pleased with his improvements, specifically with his ability to read progressions. He has much work to do to pass Sudfeld’s pace at this point. He is mostly working with the 3rd team offense currently.