Detroit Lions training camp preview Corners

The Lions have developed one NFL quality CB since Millen/Mayhew took over Darius Slay. It has been the biggest failure of Mayhew. He is trying to find a guy who can play in the slot and hope Mathis has one more year of average play.

Darius Slay 3rd year 2nd round pick 2013
Contract:2 years 1.442 mil hit

Mississippi State
29 games 20 starts 95 tackles 22 PBU 2 int

Analysis:
Really good sophomore season for Darius. His play against Dez Bryant in the playoff was the best corner play in Detroit since Dre Bly. Hopefully he continues to ascend.

Rashean Mathis 13 years in the NFL 3 rd in Detroit Free agent 2013
Contract 2 years $ 1.625 hit

Bethune-Cookman
31 games 29 starts 97 tackles 1 int 24 PBU

Analysis:
Mathis has been steady but turns 35 and has shown some wear. If he falters the Lions have very little behind him.

Josh Wilson 9th year in the NFL 1st In Detroit Free agent 2015
Contract: 1 year $665,000

Maryland
118 nfl games 85 starts

analysis:

Wilson has plenty of experience in the slot. He is 30 and did not play well in 2014. Has the first shopt at the slot job.

Chris Owens 7th year in the NFL 1st in Detroit Free agent 2015
Contract: 1 year $585,000 hit

SJSU
83 NFL games 17 starts

analysis:

Veteran making a case for the 5th spot. Has experience in the slot but did not play well in 2014.

Mohammad Seisay 2nd year UDFA 2014
Contract 2 yeatrs $370,588 hit

Nebraska
13 games 5 tackles

Analysis:
the forgotten guy at this spot. Seisay saw action in 2014 but mostly at slot. He is not a slot CB. He could be the primary back up outside.

Nevin Lawson 2nd year in Detroit 4th round pick 2014
Contract: 3 years $391,911 hit

Utah State
2 games 1 tackle

Analysis:
Lawson was injured vs, the Panthers and missed most of 2014. He did not play in the off-season and could start the year on the PUP.

Alex Carter rookie 3rd round pick
Contract: 4 years $607,186

Stanford

Analysis:
Puzzling pick by Mayhew. A corner that does not make plays. He can tackle and has size. is he a corner?

Crezdon Butler 6th year in the NFL 1st in Detroit Free agent 2015
Contract: 1 year $587,500 hit

Clemson
36 nfl games 3 starts

Analysis:
An outside guy with some size and experience. Unlikely to make the team but could be a mid season injury replacement.

Quandre Diggs Rookie 6th round pick
Contract: 4 years $463,838 hit

Texas

Analysis:
Good surprise is off season. A guy who has instincts for the slot. Small and slow, he cannot play outside but inside he has a chance.

RJ Stanford 6th year in the NFL 1st in Detroit Free agent 2015
Contract: 1 year

Utah
46 NFL games 1 start

Analysis:
A guy who some experience in the NFL. Will get a look at slot corner. A long shot.

Detroit Lions training camp preview Linebackers

A good group in 2014. Should be bolstered by the return of Tulloch and Van Noy.

DeAndre Levy 7th year in Detroit 3rd round pick 2009
Contract: 5 years remain $4.5 million hit

Wisconsin
89 games 82 starts 618 tackles 3.5 sacks 12 int

Analysis:
has played an elite level much of the last two seasons. He did wear down late in the season in 2014. He has to be the three down backer for the Lions. This is his contract year.

Stephen Tulloch 10th year in the NFL 5th year in Detroit UDFA 2011
Contract: 2 years left $5.8 million hit

NC State
51 starts 379 tackles 9 sacks 3 int

Analysis:
A great in the box linebacker. Can stop the run and control the tackle to tackle. Lost a step in coverage and is no longer a three down backer. Can he return to his pre ACL tear form.

Tahir Whitehead 4th year 5th round pick 2012
Contract Last year $713,000 hit

Temple
46 games 15 starts 106 tackles 2 int 2 sacks

Analysis:
Played well at the MLB in 2014. His beast position is Sam and special teams. He is a valuable player in the this scheme. The teams hardest hitter.

Kyle Van Noy 2nd year 2nd round pick 2014
Contract: 3 years $1.59 million hit

BYU
8 games 6 tackles

Analysis:
Rookie year was a wash out. A great player in college who was always around the ball. Will we see him make plays in 2015.

Travis Lewis 4th year in Detroit 7th round 2012
Contract: last contract $674,793

Oklahoma
27 games 11 tackles

Analysis:
A guy on the bubble. Struggled the two years. Suspension in 2013 and injury in 2014. Slow player who has not made a lot of plays.

Josh Bynes 5th year in the NFL 2nd in Detroit Free agent 2014
Contract: 2 years $785,000 hit

Auburn
39 NFL 9 starts  13 Games in Detroit 22 tackle s 1 int

Analysis:
Picked up of the Ravens practice squad after Tully's injury, Played well, Can cover a little and stop the run. A valuable back up and special teams player.

Julian Stanford 4 years in the NFL 3rd in Detroit FA agent 2013
Contract: Final Year $660,000

Wagner
34 NFL games 6 starts 18 games in Detroit 5 tackles

Analysis:

Another guy on the bubble. Had a big taunting penalty last season vs. Green Bay. He does not make a lot of plays and is limited at LB.

Jerrell Harris 4th year in the NFL 2nd in Detroit Free Agent 2014
Contract: 2 years $435,000 hit

Alabama

Analysis:
Practice squad guy who was cut early in camp.

Brandon Copeland 3rd year in the NFL 1st in Detroit Free agent 2015
Contract:1 year $460,000 hit

Penn

Analysis:
Ravens practice squad guy who blew up the veterans combine. Had offers from multiple teams picked Detroit. I think he makes the team.

Kevin Snyder UDFA Rookie
Contract: 3 years $435,000 hit

Rutgers

Analysis:

Practice squad or bust.

Detroit Lions training camp preview Defensive Ends

This group has is also in flux. Losing George Johnson to Tampa and An injury to Jason Jones has put their depth to the test. The Lions will hope young players will rise to the occasion.

Ziggy Ansah 3rd year 1st round pick 2013
Contract: 2 year $5,071,232 hit

BYU
30 games 28 starts 15.5 sacks 82 sacks

Analysis:

A key player in 2015. Can he step up to a double digit sack guy and pro bowl player. He becomes the focal point of the line and must provide pressure.

Jason Jones 8th year in the NFL 3rd year in Detroit UFA 2013
Contract: last year $3.98 mil cap hit

EMU
19 starts 5 sacks 23 tackles

Analysis:
Key player because he is strong against the run at end and good pass rusher at tackle. He fits well in situational units. Will miss the 1st two preseason games with a minor injury.

Darryl Tapp 10th year in the NFL 2nd in Detroit UFA 2015
Contract: last year $950,000 hit

VA Tech
16 games 0.5 sacks 17 tackles

Analysis:
A solid year for the veteran in 2014. He was strong against the run and offers some speed off the edge. Can play special teams and mentor the young ends.

Devin Taylor 3rd year in Detroit 4th round pick 2013
Contract: 2 years left $660,146 cap hit

South Carolina
30 games 3.5 sacks 29 tackles

Analysis:
A good rookie season was followed by an off year in 2014. He trained in the Jason Jones spot in mini camp. Will he set up?

Larry Webster 2nd year 4th round pick 2014
Contract: 3 years $585,146 hit

Analysis:
Redshirted in 2014. He has put on muscle and hopes to make an impact in 2015. Has great measurables but lacks football experience.

Philip Hunt 6 years in the NFL first in Detroit Free agent 2015
Contract: 1 year $585,000 hit

Houston
22 NFL games

Analysis:
a once promising player who got hurt in 2013. Is back healthy and has a chance to stick or be an injury replacement. Could be this years sleeper.

Corey Wooten 6th year in the NFL 1st in Detroit Free Agent 2015
Contract: 1 year $665,000 hit

Northwestern
60 NFL games 22 starts

Analysis:
A versatile player like Jason Jones. If one of the young guys slips up or there is injury Wooten can make the team.

Detroit Lions training camp preview Defensive Tackle

Detroit Lions lost the their top 4 DT from 2014. Suh, Fairley, Mosley and Fluellen. How they  are replaced is the key to the 2015 season. DC Teryl Austin will have to play a lot more situational football. He will have a run stop group and pass rush group.

Haloti Ngata 10th year in the NFL 1st in Detroit Trade 2015
Contract:Last year $8.5  mil hit

Utah
135 NFL games

Analysis:
A one time the best interior lineman in the NFL but at 31 has age slowed him? He was suspended 4 games in 2014 for PED use. His play will key to the Lions stopping the run in 2015.

Tyrunn Walker 4th year in the NFL 1st in Detroit  UTFA 2015
Contract: last year $1.75 mil hit

Tulsa
23 NFL games 1 start

Analysis:
Not tendered by the Saints as a restricted free agent. The pats offered him a 2 year contract but Tyrunn signed with Detroit. One gap player will fit well at the 3 technique.

Caraun Reid 2nd year 5th round pick in 2014
Contract: 3 years remain $557,220 hit

Princeton
12 games 2 tackle 1 PBU

Analysis:
A project in 2014, he will be trusted to produce in 2015. He took the 1st string reps at Mini camp. Hopefully he can play.

Gabe Wright Rookie 5th round pick
Contract: 4 years $565,288

Auburn
Analysis:
Quick player who was in the backfield a lot at Auburn. However, he did not make a lot of plays. He will be part of the rotation in 2015.

Jermelle Cudjo 5th year in the NFL Free agent 2015
Contract:last year $660,000

Central Oklahoma
38 nfl games 4 starts

Analysis:
Veteran who was brought for a look. Could be an injury replacement later in the season.

Kerry Hyder 2nd year in the NFL 1st in Detroit Free agent 2015
Contract:2 years $435,000  hit

Texas Tech

Analysis:
Signed to compete for a practice squad spot.

Roy Philon 2nd year UDFA 2014
Contract: 2 years $480,000 hit

Louisville

Analysis;
Practice squad member in 2014. He will compete for that spot again 2015.

Detroit Lions training camp preview Interior line

The Lions have to replace two starters on the o-line. They moved on from long time Dom Raiola and OG Rob Sims. In addition, Garrett Reynolds signed with the Rams. YOuth will take over inside.

Larry Warford 3rd year 3rd round pick 2013.
Contract: 2 years $849,250

Kentucky
29 starts

Analysis:
Which Warford are we going to see? The dominant rookie or the injury 2nd year player?

Travis Swanson 2nd year 3rd rond pick 2014
Contract: 3 years remain $699,868

Arkansas
16 games 5 starts

Analysis:

A poor guard but could be a pretty good center. He played well in the Green Bay game but that is a small sample.

Laken Tomlinson Rookie 1st round pick
Contract: 4 years $1.55 million cap hit

Analysis:
Big physical player who was the ACC athlete of the year. Rookies are hard to judge but he can better than Sims.

Manuel Ramirez 9th year in the NFL 5th in Detroit 4th round pick in 2007
Contract: Last year $ 3 million hit

Texas Tech
67 NFL games 58 starts 18 games in Detroit 15 starts

Analysis:
Veteran who can play both guard and center. Has played both in the super bowl and on an 0-16 team. Valuable back up.

Darren Keyton 3rd year in Detroit UDFA 2013
Contract: last year $435,000

CMU
1 game

Analysis:
Third year player who has spent time on the practice squad. Can play both guard and center. Has a chance to stick.

Al Bond UDFA Rookie
Contract: 3 years $527,000 $6,000 bonus

Memphis
Analysis:
I had draftable grade on this guy. He cab stick a swing player. Practice squad most likely.

Torrian Wilson UDFA rookie
Contract: 3 years $528,667 $11,000 bonus

Analysis:
A swing player who played tackle in college. I had free agent grade on him. Surprised he got  $11,000 bonus.

Taylor Boggs 5th year in NFL Free agent 2015
Contract: 1 year $585,000

5 NFL games
Humboldt State
Analysis:
A guy with a little experience who can be a guy to bring in down the road.

Braxston Cave 3rd year in NFL Free agent 2015
Contract: 1 year $585,000

Analysis:

Brought for depth a center. Probably a later injury replacement guy.

Detroit Lions trainnig camp preview Tackle

A big question mark going into camp is who will play the right tackle? The lions took a look a lot of guys in mini camp. They have not signed a veteran though rumor is they are looking at Gosder Cherlius just cut by the Colts.

Riley Reiff 4th year 1st round pick in 2012
Contract: 2 years on contract Cap Hit $2.58 million
College: Iowa

47 games 39 starts

Analysis:

Reiff is an average left tackle. We knew that when he was drafted. Better suited to any other line position, Reiff is paralyzed by speed rushers. DeMarcus Lawrence schooled Reiff in the 4th quarter of the playoff loss. Lions picked $ 8 million 5th year in 2016.

LaAdrian Waddle 3rd year UDFA 2013
Contract: last year $493,333 cap hit
College: Texas Tech

22 games 18 starts

Analysis:

Good player when healthy. Huge and hard to get around. Still can punish players on the run. Will start camp on the PUP and might not be ready until mid season.

Cornelius Lucas 2nd year UDFA 2014
Contract 2 years left $516,667 hit
College: Kansas State

15 games 3 starts

analysis:
Good surprise for Lions. He was injured throughout the draft process and still made the team. Was pressed into action with the injuries to Waddle and Hilliard. Held his own. His best start was on Thanksgiving at left tackle. He is penciled in at right tackle if he is healthy. Lucas missed mini camp with an injury.

Michael Williams 3rd year 7th round pick 2013
Contract: 2 years left $480,000 hit
College: Alabama

Analysis:

Made the move from Te after his rookie year. Has played both sides and got extensive reps at mini camp. He has potential and will get his chance in the preseason.

Corey Robinson rookie 7th round pick
Contract: 4 years $584,777 hit
College: South Carolina

Analysis:
A huge man with the longest arms in the draft. Got a look in mini camp. He has a chance to make it as the 4th tackle.

Xavier Proctor 3rd year UDFA 2013
Contract: 2 years $480,000
College: North Carolina Central

Analysis:

A defensive lineman in college and 2 years on the practice squad, switched to Oline in the spring. The Lions must like the kid. They have kept him around forever.

Detroit Lions training camp preview Tight Ends

The most maligned group on the Lions. Two 1st round busts and an off the field injury left the TE position in complete disarray. Hopefully, the death of Charlie Sanders will light a fire under this group in 2015.

Brandon Pettigrew 7th year in Detroit 1st round pick 2009
Contract: 3 years left $3.8 mil cap hit

Oklahoma State: 47 games 112 rec 1450 yards 9td
85 games 77 starts
294 rec 2898 yards 16 td 3 fumbles lost

Analysis:
Re-signed before the 2014 season and struggled. Can't block, can't catch. Bust.

Eric Ebron 2nd year in Detroit 1st round 2014
Contract: 3 years remaining $2.78 mil cap hit

North Carolina: 34 games 112 rec 1805 yards 8td
13 games 7 starts
25 rec 248 yards 1 td

analysis:

Looking like one of the worst picks in the history of Lions football. Lions passed on Aaron Donald, ODB and Kyle Fuller to draft this guy. Can't block, can't catch. Bust

Joe Fauria 3rd in Detroit UDFA 2013
contract: last year $589,167 cap hit

UCLA:40 games 88 rec 1139 yards 20td
23 games 2 starts
24 rec 181 yards 8 td

analysis:
terrible year in 2014. Mangled his ankle playing volleyball. A source told me that it was the worst ankle injury they had ever seen. Never recovered. Missed the off-season. Will he start on the PUP?

Jordan Thompson 2nd year in Detroit UDFA 2014
contract: 2 years $435,000

Ohio: 47 games 60 rec 666 yards 6td
2 games
1 drop

analysis:
Called up from the practice squad after injuries to all the TE. He responded by dropping a pass that was picked. Will be hard pressed to make the squad.

David Ausberry 5th in year in NFL 1st in Detroit Free agent 2015
contract: 1 year $660,000

USC: 46 games 64 rec 700 yards 7td
34 NFL games

Analysis:
In-line TE who can catch the ball. Has a chance to make the team if any injury were to happen.

Casey Pierce UDFA rookie
Contract: 3 years $527,333 $7,000 signing bonus

Kent State: 46 games 97 Rec 1040 yards 11td

Analysis:
Sleeper here. Can beat out Thompson for the practice squad spot.