May 29, 2012; Allen Park, MI, USA; Detroit Lions linebacker Ashlee Palmer (58) during organized team activities at Lions training facility. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

When the Detroit Lions open training camp one of the most important position battles will be at outside linebacker. DeAndre Levy was re-signed to remain on one side but the departure of Justin Durant leaves a starting job up for grabs.

Prior to minicamp it would have been easy to believe there was a pecking order in place. The Lions re-signed Ashlee Palmer to a contract that suggested they viewed him as much more than just a special teams player. The Lions sacrificed a 2013 fourth round pick to trade into the fifth round in 2012 to select Tahir Whitehead. The investments in those two could easily make Travis Lewis seen as an afterthought.

But that isn’t what the recent Lions minicamp tells us.

Ashlee Palmer didn’t have a lockdown on the reps with the ones and Whitehead wasn’t the only one rotating in. Palmer, Whitehead and Lewis all got an opportunity to handle first team reps. It appears the competition is much more wide open than what would have been guessed earlier in the offseason.

At some point one will prove superior to the others but it may not be until at least two get to make a preseason start. The cloudier picture makes for an opportunity to play the guessing game. Here is your chance Lions fans – who do you think will be named the Lions second starting outside linebacker?

November 22, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions player Riley Reiff (71) during player introductions prior to a game against the Houston Texans at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

What might that mean for each player?

Riley Reiff - If Schwartz’s comment is to be related down to the individual level with Riley Reiff that can only mean he expects Reiff to hold a starting job somewhere on the Lions’ offensive line next year. Where that could be is up in the air as it depends on the route the Lions choose to go in addressing their needs there. There is no doubt that the Lions drafted Reiff to be their left tackle of the future but there is doubt whether they would run Jeff Backus out of town to see it happen in 2013. With Gosder Cherilus set to become a free agent, right tackle seems to be the more likely destination for Reiff next year.

Ryan Broyles - It’s not hard to see an increased role for Ryan Broyles. He was becoming a productive receiver after fully healing from the ACL tear he suffered at Oklahoma and gaining a level of comfort in the Lions’ offense. He showed a knack for finding open spaces in the opposing secondary and really only needs to stay healthy to give the Lions what they need in 2013.

Bill Bentley - Injury cut Bentley’s season short, which is too bad considering he was already on track to be a significant contributor to the Lions’ efforts in 2012. He will be back healthy next year and has to be penciled in as a starting corner at this point.

Ronnell Lewis - The biggest disappointment of the 2012 draft class may have been Ronnell Lewis who spent much of the year as a game day inactive. 2013 represents a huge opportunity for Lewis. Changes may be afoot at defensive end for the Lions but Lewis may first have to prove that he can be an asset on punt and kick coverage units.

Tahir Whitehead - With both starting outside linebackers eligible for unrestricted free agency this offseason, Tahir Whitehead could be the beneficiary of some roster turnover. It’s hard to say if the Lions could feel comfortable if they need to count on him in a big role on defense but there was obviously something they liked when they sent a 2013 fourth round pick to the Vikings to take Whitehead in the fifth round of the 2012 draft. Perhaps he slides up the depth chart into the spot held by Ashlee Palmer this past year.

Chris Greenwood - If there is a player on this list that is poised to make a huge jump in contribution level it is probably Chris Greenwood. That might be a year early, Greenwood was a developmental prospect and the year on the PUP/IR list didn’t do as much for his development as a healthy year would have,  but Gunther Cunningham has said he is used to having more size in the secondary and Greenwood has that. With his combination of size and athleticism, He could be in good position to find a way to contribute next year, even if it as a fourth cornerback.

Oct 14, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Detroit Lions cornerback Jonte Green (36) after playing the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Lions defeated the Eagles 26-23 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Jonte Green - It would be easy to see Jonte Green as the “other” guy as the third and final cornerback in the 2012 draft class but being able to stay healthy put him in position for a lot of playing time.  Green contributed more in 2012 than probably anyone envisioned he would so it is hard to see the Lions counting on him for more in 2013. They could be in trouble if they do.

Travis Lewis - Like Tahir Whitehead, Travis Lewis could see himself with an increased role as a result of roster upheaval at outside linebacker. He wasn’t picked until the seventh round but he was projected to go much higher after a very productive college career.

Dec 30, 2011; Tempe, AZ, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Travis Lewis (28) before the game against Iowa Hawkeyes during the 2011 Insight Bowl at the Sun Devil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Hilderbrand-US PRESSWIRE

The Detroit Lions have their first member of their 2012 draft class under contract and it is seventh-round draft choice Travis Lewis.

Total value of the Travis Lewis deal with the Lions is $2.16 million. Minimum bases: 12-$390K; 13-$480K; 14-$570K; 15-$660K.

— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) May 9, 2012

The collective bargaining agreement signed last offseason has resulted in far less negotiating power for the incoming rookies to the point that reaching an agreement is a formality. Expect the Lions to reach many more agreements with their draft class very soon.