Detroit Lions training camp preview: Key dates, notable additions, biggest storylines

With 2024 NFL training camps set to open, it’s time to get up to speed on all 32 NFL teams. Kevin Patra has the lowdown on position battles, key players and notable subplots across the NFC North.

Catch up on the Detroit Lions’ offseason developments and 2024 outlook below.

Training Camp Dates/Information

• Players report: July 20 (rookies); July 23 (veterans)
• Location: Detroit Lions Training Facility | Allen Park, Michigan (fan information)

Notable Roster Changes

Preseason Schedule

• Week 1: at New York Giants | 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 8
• Week 2: at Kansas City Chiefs | 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 17 (NFL Network)
• Week 3: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers | 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 24 (NFL Network)

2024 Schedule Notes

• The season will start for the Lions with consecutive home games, and they will play three out of their first four games at Ford Field.
• The season for Detroit kicks off with consecutive games against teams that made the playoffs in 2023, namely the Rams and the Buccaneers.
• In Weeks 13-15, the Lions will have three consecutive home games.

— NFL Research

What You Need To Know

1) How will Jameson Williams progress? In two seasons since the Lions moved up in the first round to snag Williams, the wideout has played in 18 total games, missing time due to injury and suspension. In those two seasons, he’s caught a total of 25 passes. For comparison, over two games in Weeks 6 and 7 last season, teammate Amon-Ra St. Brown caught 25 passes. Williams is a different player, but his usage in the games he’s participated in has mostly been that of a gadget or deep threat. Detroit is counting on him to develop into much more in Year 3. The talent is there, but he needs to sharpen his route running and concentration to be the every-down WR2 Detroit’s offense needs.

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2) The Lions completely revamped the corner crew, acquiring Carlton Davis via trade, signing Amik Robertson in free agency, and bringing back Emmanuel Moseley before drafting Terrion Arnold in the first round and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. in the second. The question heading into camp is how will the playing time shake out. Davis should lock down one side. Should we pencil or pen in Arnold to a starting gig? The Lions expect to push Brian Branch to more of a safety role, but he could still see time at the nickel, where he thrived as a rookie. How will reps for Robertson — who seemingly gets lost in the discussion — and Rakestraw shake out? What does Moseley look like after his latest season-ending injury? Will he start on the PUP list or be ready for the first 53-man roster? On paper, there is more talent and depth than we’ve seen in any Lions secondary in memory.

3) Is Jack Campbell earning a bigger role? The 2023 first-round pick received rave reviews this offseason from reporters and coaches alike. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn at one point beamed that Campbell is “a grown man” who “lives, breathes green dot mentality.” The linebacker had a roller-coaster rookie season, flashing at times but appearing lost at others. Down the stretch, things seemed to coalesce for him mentally, which portends positive things heading into Year 2. Will the offseason accolades continue when the pads come on in camp? Campbell would seem to be the type of player who would fare better when the hitting starts, but we’ve seen players putter out when expectations are raised. If Campbell becomes the player the club hopes, it would solidify a reworked defense. I’m also curious to see how much the Lions use Campbell in pass-rush situations.

4) What does the depth in the trenches look like? The Lions’ starting groups are rock solid, but if injuries strike, do they have the depth to withstand them? The offensive line is arguably the best blocking unit in the league. Last season, Graham Glasgow stepped in when injuries struck, and Detroit didn’t miss a beat. Do the Lions have that type of backup they can count on in 2024? The current backup crew is uber-young, but there is talent if they develop. Is Giovanni Manu a true down-the-road project, or can he be more in Year 1? On defense, Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill and D.J. Reader form a heck of a trio. But is there enough depth if one goes down? If healthy, Marcus Davenport has upside. Can John Cominsky or Josh Paschal become more than bit players? Are Levi Onwuzurike or Brodric Martin destined to be role players who flash but never find consistency? Can they grow into more? Will Mekhi Wingo be part of the rotation off the bat? When the pads come on at camp, we should find out.

5) Hello, kicker competition! While some kicking competitions seem like hollow formalities, the Lions’ has fangs. Michael Badgley proved reliable from a certain range down the stretch last season. He made all seven of his field-goal attempts in seven games (including playoffs) but attempted only one over 50 yards (54 yards in a playoff win over the Rams). He’s a career 82.4% field-goal kicker, but has just five makes on 13 attempts from 50-plus yards. Jake Bates, who shined for the Michigan Panthers in the UFL, might be the inverse. He connected on some long attempts, including a 64-yarder. Ultimately, he made just 77.3% of his attempts (17 of 22), but four of those misses came from 50-plus. The question is whether Dan Campbell will trust the 24-year-old Bates in the crucible of big moments. Which kicker performs better at the new kickoff could also be a factor in the competition.