5 Detroit Lions who are already turning heads at OTAs

The Detroit Lions hit the next phase of offseason work this past week, with OTA sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It was the first time this offseason the whole team was together, for rookies to go against veterans, etc.

The value of football practice without pads on may be intangible just as much as it is tangible, with what players say and how they carry themselves as important as how they perform on the practice field. The Lions don't have an issue with players not showing up to OTAs, like a lot of other teams do, though there was a long list of players who were out or limited for Thursday's open practice due to injury or personal reasons.

But here are five Lions players who have turned heads at OTAs.

5. QB Hendon Hooker

Thursday was the first time reporters got to see Hooker for a full practice since the Lions drafted him last year. While the general consensus was he had an up-and-down day, the second-year signal caller did have some good moments that showed his potential.

"It was fun watching Hendon Hooker sling it in a team setting for the very first time. Really nice touch on his deep ball. Good velocity. One of his best plays of the day was a deep ball down the right sideline to Daurice Fountain, which drew “oooohs” and “aaahhs” from the team. Reminder: This is just OTAs and the team isn’t even in full pads, but Hooker put forth some good reps today."
-Colton Pouncy, The Athletic

Head coach Dan Campbell highlighted the importance of sheer reps for Hooker, while noting what the coaches need to see before he's locked into the No. 2 quarterback spot behind Jared Goff.

Apart from the good and bad from his showing on Thursday, simply being able to see Hooker on the practice field was enough to turn heads as OTAs ramped up.