The Detroit Lions will begin training camp before we know it, as rookies are set to report to Allen Park next Wednesday and veterans will report on July 22.
Heading into a season with big expectations, we can probably set a big chunk of the Lions' 53-man roster right now and have it be right when late-August comes. But there will be some interesting battles for back end roster spots and the pecking order on the depth chart in some spots, and we already know there will be no favoritism for anything other than who is the best player.
Anyone who watched the "Hard Knocks" episode Amon-Ra St. Brown chose for his NFL Network "Player's Choice" on Tuesday re-saw linebackers coach Kelvin Sheppard calling out the rest of the position group as then-rookie Malcolm Rodriguez was standing out. In all 37 players who are currently on the 90-man roster won't be on the final 53 heading into Week 1, with accounting for injury recovery (Hendon Hooker) or suspensions (Jameson Williams), as some may wind up back on the practice squad.
The "Hard Knocks" cameras won't be on the ground in Allen Park for training camp this year, though it isn't because the Lions weren't asked to do it again. But the developments from camp will still be interesting, with an eye on some particular position battles.
Here are the five biggest position battles to watch during 2023 Lions training camp.