After a day off on Thursday, the Detroit Lions had their first padded practice of 2023 training camp on Friday. Moving to hitting each other is a significant step, particularly for rookies in their first taste of NFL contact, and it's also a general opportunity for players to show out more and step up with the natural ramp up in intensity.
Players who aren't locked into a roster spot but stood out through the first four lighter days must now carry that momentum into contact days, joint practices and preseason games. A significant portion of the Lions' 53-man roster heading into Week 1 can be predicted easily right now, but there are battles for roles in some spots and the last handful or so of what will be that final 53 heading into the season is naturally flexible. The Lions coaching staff will not care about anything other than who earns it with their work, and some good players will be left to find an opportunity elsewhere.
There are prominent names who will be mentioned for what they do nearly every day in recaps of Lions' training camp practices, for good or maybe for bad if that's warranted. But here are four under the radar players who are worth watching during camp until further notice.
3 under the radar players to watch in Detroit Lions training camp
3. LB Derrick Barnes
Amid the drafting of Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone being a locked in as a starter and any lingering buzz around second-year man Malcolm Rodriguez, it's easy to forget about Barnes. But the 2021 fourth-round pick got starter reps during OTAs, and he has done the same so far in training camp. Campbell took some starting reps as this past week has gone on, and the Lions have linebacker depth the likes of which they have not had in a long, long time.
Whether Barnes wins a starting job or not, at the MIKE or WILL linebacker spot in base nickel, he should have a noticeable role in the Lions' defense this year given the team's propensity to use depth.
After being an edge rusher for much of his college career at Purdue, Barnes is taking a notable development step moving into his third season. It could yield big things if he can assert himself in a tight camp battle.
2. WR Antoine Green
Via John Maakaron of SI.com, Green had a less than ideal day on Friday when the pads came on. He also left practice early due to what may have been heat exhaustion, based on his being tended to by EMTs and being in a cold tub after practice.
"1.) Antoine Green went through rookie growing pains on Day 5. After losing both special teams reps convincingly working against wideout Denzel Mims, Detroit's seventh-round pick had the football zoom through his hands on a second-team rep tossed by Nate Sudfeld. "John Maakaron, SI.com
But some growing pains can be expected from a rookie in the first week of camp and the first day with pads on, leaving aside that Green is a seventh-round pick. Reviews of his work before Friday, from no less an authority than offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (along with beat writers on the ground at camp), were quite good. One rough day won't crush his stock with his coaches. He will be a player to watch during preseason games.
With Jameson Williams suspended for the first six games, the idea Green could push for a solid early season role is not necessarily fresh. More experienced players may have an inherent advantage in the battle, but how Green rebounds from a lackluster practice moving forward makes him someone to watch at Lions' camp.
1. CB Starling Thomas
With Emmanuel Moseley (knee) opening camp on the PUP list, Thomas has seized an early opportunity. He got some reps with the starters, and some with the backups. The undrafted rookie out of UAB may pay off the notion he'll make the Lions' 53-man roster, perhaps as the No. 4 outside cornerback once Moseley is healthy enough to practice.
Albert Breer of SI.com named Thomas as a camp darkhorse after spending some time at Allen Park this past week. That backs up the early observations from Lions' beat writers. A three-year starter at UAB, and he registered 23 pass breakups over his last two seasons (15 last season, fourth in FBS). He didn’t nab a ton of interceptions, but he clearly has good ball skills to go with being tabbed a "feisty, fast-paced competitor by Pro Football Network as they named him the UDFA with the best chance to make the Lions roster.
The Lions coaches love players who have an edge and fight to them, "grit mentality" if you will, and Thomas has shown that during camp. He had what can can best be called a weird scuffle with 330-pound offensive tackle Germain Ifedi, which was surely viewed favorably. He has been working as a top gunner on special teams, which is his clearest path to a roster spot.
Thomas may not stay under the radar for long. But right now, he is.