The Detroit Lions started training camp with a handful of key starting roles up for grabs.
ESPN’s NFL Nation staff compiled a list on Monday pointing to the top training camp position battles for every team in the league. The Lions have plenty of options to choose from, but the one picked by ESPN is a battle that could make or break their season.
The right tackle position is up for grabs despite the Lions spending high draft capital on rookie first-round pick Blake Miller. Veteran free agent signing Larry Borom will have every opportunity to take that spot from Miller, according to Lions head coach Dan Campbell.
“Larry’s played in this league…My gut tells me that Blake’s going to continue to grow, but we’ll see,” Campbell said during his media availability before the Lions’ first padded practice of camp this week.
ESPN shared its thoughts on the Lions’ right tackle battle.
There is an open competition for the Lions’ starting job at right tackle which probably will be between rookie Blake Miller and veteran Larry Borom, who was acquired via free agency. After releasing veteran left tackle Taylor Decker during this offseason, the Lions switched Penei Sewell, an All-Pro right tackle to the left, which will make room for a new starter. Miller was selected No. 17 out of Clemson and will have a strong chance to start, but Borom has experience, making 38 starts in 63 career games, including 11 starts for the Miami Dolphins last season. – Eric Woodyard, ESPN
Campbell also made sure to point out how impressed he and the staff have been with second-year pro Miles Frazier, who has worked at four different offensive line positions throughout Lions camp thus far.
“Now, we’ve been, Hank’s been throwing Miles out a little bit. Frazier, some of this tackle work. It’s early, but there’s some good reps. There’s some good reps. Look, he’s played all the positions already in four days and some in spring. Both guards, both tackles. Which is another reason why we liked him, why we drafted him, because that’s what he did at LSU. He’s left tackle, he’s left guard, he’s right guard, he’s right tackle. He’s back to left guard.
“So, our eyes are open for him, too. Don’t sleep on him,” Campbell said.
The Lions struggled to find consistency out of their offensive line last season, ranking as the 12th-best unit in the league according to Pro Football Focus. The previous two years had them ranked second (2023) and fourth (2024).
Add in the release of Graham Glasgow and the ghost of Frank Ragnow, and you’ve got a lot of chemistry to work on in camp this preseason.
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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: ESPN picks Detroit Lions’ top training camp position battle
Reporting by Ryan Love, Lions Wire / Lions Wire
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By Ryan Love, Lions Wire | USA TODAY Network
