The next phase of the Detroit Lions offseason is coming this week, with a three-day mandatory minicamp starting Tuesday. Pads still won't be on this week, but for a certain group of players any opportunity to shine on the practice field is important on some level.
Maybe it's asserting yourself in a battle for a roster, or further solidifying the progress made from earlier offseason work. Maybe an injury recovery is in play, and simply being able to participate in minicamp is an an important step for that. For others, the sheer benefit of practice reps is clear.
After three more days of voluntary OTAs next week (June 10-12), the Lions will go on a break before training camp starts in late-July. So this week is an opportunity that has to be seized for a lot of players, whatever the specific circumstance they have.
More specifically, these five players must shine at minicamp.
5 Detroit Lions players who must shine at mandatory minicamp
5. TE James Mitchell
This is a big offseason for Mitchell. He simply hasn't done much in two NFL seasons, around injuries. Last year he actually played less offensive snaps than he did has a rookie, and he also had fewer catches.
The top two spots are locked in on the Lions' tight end depth chart-Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright. The battle for at least one, if not possibly two, remaining roster spots dedicated to the position will include Shane Zylstra and recent veteran additions Parker Hesse and Sean McKeon.
It's fair to say Mitchell has more raw upside than those other three guys put together, but if he doesn't take a notable step between now and the end of training camp that won't matter.
Frankly, it feels like Mitchell is pretty much out of site, out of mind right now. If we don't hear some positives about him, or see some evidence he's notably existing on the practice field, this week, his place on the roster will get more tenuous than it already seems to be.
4. DT Brodric Martin
Martin was seen as a developmental prospect when the Lions took him in the third round of the 2023 draft, making the step from Western Kentucky to the NFL. So it wasn't too surprising he didn't play a lot as a rookie, but three games and 28 defensive snaps still landed as disappointing.
Martin clearly followed the example set by Alim McNeill, reshaping his body this offseason and looking noticeable slimmer during OTAs. He'll never be a small man, but a change in body composition is a sign of progress as he eyes contributing far more in Year 2.
Martin has noted how the mental side of the game is easier for him now. Upon signing with the Lions, DJ Reader mentioned how he couldn't wait to mentor Martin, and new defensive line coach Terrell Williams may benefit the second-year man more than any other Lions' defensive lineman in terms of his technical skills (hand usage, etc.).
Martin has nowhere to go but up after barely playing as a rookie. His development track should, and needs to, continue during minicamp. Even if, as defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn pointed out (via Kory Woods of MLive) that not much be said about anyone's improvement when "you're in your underwear."
3. WR Jameson Williams
No less an authority than head coach Dan Campbell called Williams the most-improved Lions' player this offseason, saying the young receiver has improved "everywhere." Williams sounds like a more mature man and player, ready to take on the expectations he will have a breakout campaign this year.
If nothing else, good, bad or indifferent, Williams will be one of the most-watched players at Lions' minicamp this week. If he makes a highlight-reel catch, we'll see in post-practice reports when the media is on-site, and the Lions' social media accounts will surely post the video. If he drops a pass, or multiple passes, it'll also be documented and scrutinized.
Offseason work with no pads on being what it is in terms of overhype/overreaction, Williams needs to keep his offseason momentum going right through minicamp. No injuries of any scale, sharp in his details by all accounts and showing his play-making ability will be a win heading toward the time off before training camp.
2. EDGE James Houston
The Lions need someone, or multiple someones, to step up and provide pass rush off the edge opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Houston will not realistically be able to fully replicate the pass rush productivity he had as a rookie in 2022 (eight sacks in seven games), but ankle injury that cost him most of last season robbed him of the chance to have a more full emergence, and show he's more than just a pass rusher.
Houston has some competition for snaps in the non-Hutchinson edge rusher mix, but he arguably has the most raw talent of the bunch. He just needs to show himself as a capable every down player, which can be shown even without pads on in terms knowing where to drop in coverage, etc.
1. QB Hendon Hooker
Hooker is the player who's benefitting most from sheer reps this offseason for the Lions, with the expected ups and downs so far as he shakes rust off and learns the full breadth of the offense. Campbell has noted the importance of that element, as well as the idea Hooker needs to show growth to full take hold of the No. 2 spot behind Jared Goff.
The good thing for Hooker is he is operating with no pressure, as he's not in line to make an impact this year shy of an injury to Goff. He can have the ups and downs he's having right now, without the scrutiny that may fall on someone who's being counted on to do more when the season starts.
Still, it would be a nice to see (read, hear) that Hooker is showing improvement in ball placement, timing, etc. during minicamp this week, which reporters on the ground at OTAs have cited as issues. He has noted the challenge of not overthinking and just playing free, which is an expected residual of having a first NFL offseason and the rust that comes with not having played a game is so long.
If he shows progress in the "paralysis by analysis" element, Hooker's physical tools could really shine this week. In any case, showing consistent improvement is an absolute order during minicamp for the second-year signal caller.
Honorable mentions: OL Giovanni Manu, WR Antoine Green, WR Donovan Peoples-Jones, EDGE Mathieu Betts, CB Terrion Arnold, DT Levi Onwuzurike