3 surprise standouts so far in Detroit Lions training camp

Through nine days of Detroit Lions training camp practices now, these three players have been surprise standouts.

The Detroit Lions have completed a full week of training camp practices, and Friday was Day 9 overall of camp work.

Of course one of the big things hovering over Lions’ camp this year is the HBO/NFL Films cameras, with the premiere episode of “Hard Knocks” coming Aug. 9. The organization has embraced the attention the show will bring, as the energy from the coaches down to players has been good.

There haven’t been that many obvious disappointments, in terms of player performance, so far in training camp for the Lions. Wide receiver Quintez Cephus’s leg injury was a down moment, but he appears to have avoided a significant injury.

But there have been some surprise standouts, as players vie for jobs. These three players in particular stand out as standouts so far in training camp.

3 surprising standouts so far in Detroit Lions training camp

3. RB Jermar Jefferson

As head coach Dan Campbell has pushed the importance that the Lions’ second year players make a leap this year, he specifically mentioned Jefferson as a second-year guy who is gotten noticed during the first full week of camp.

Jefferson showed some promise in a small sample of work as a runner last season, averaging 4.9 yards per carry with two touchdownson 15 carries. But he failed to do enough to warrant more, particularly on the mental side, as he only suited up for seven games without having an injury to sideline him.

Jefferson’s best path to a roster spot is on special teams, which he sounded ready to embrace earlier in the offseason. Heading toward the first preseason game on Aug. 12, so far so good for the Oregon State product.