Tim Twentyman camp standouts:
Williams took a more professional approach heading into his third season and that's been reflective of his play so far in camp. He looks much more comfortable in the offense and has been making plays all over the field, not just on the deep routes. Quarterback
Jared Goff looks to have a lot more confidence in him after the two spent time this offseason in California throwing. Williams seems poised for a breakout season.
2. DL Levi Onwuzurike
Finally past the back injury that limited his first few seasons, Onwuzurike has transformed his body and is making a huge impact as a starter with the first-team defense so far in camp. Between playing the big end in base and three-technique, he's also played some big end in sub packages in nickel. He's looked great so far and that could mean big things for Detroit's defensive front and defense as a whole.
3. WR Daurice Fountain
The Lions have a couple open roster spots at wide receiver and Fountain is one of the players who has taken advantage of that fact with his play early in camp. He's got good size at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds and the ability to make tough catches in traffic and down the field with long touchdown grabs in 7-on-7 and team periods so far.
4. LB Derrick Barnes
There seems to be a comfort level with Barnes that is next level going into his fourth season. He knows the scheme front and back and has really looked good in the SAM linebacker role as a versatile player who can rush the quarterback and play in space. He made a terrific interception on Goff in Tuesday's practice, and he's been the most physical player in camp so far. His teammates on that side of the ball feed off of it.
5. CB Amik Robertson
Robertson played both inside and outside in his first four seasons with the Raiders but has been pretty exclusively in the slot here in Detroit. He's currently competing with Emmanuel Moseley (who has also been good) for first-team reps there. He's been a playmaker so far in camp getting his hands on a number of footballs. The Lions are in a better spot both from a talent and depth perspective at cornerback this season.
We sometimes take St. Brown for granted because the All-Pro has been so good his first three years we just kind of expect it at this point. He's been particularly sharp so far in camp. On a daily basis he averages roughly half of Goff's targets, and so far I've noticed him drop just one ball. He looks poised for another monster season.
7. DL Marcus Davenport
After missing all of the offseason training program rehabbing an injury, Davenport has jumped into the padded portion of practice and shown why the Lions sought his talents in free agency. He's got terrific length (6-6, 265) and strength on the edge. He's been really good setting an edge and helping to push the pocket, which
Aidan Hutchinson is expected to be a big beneficiary of.
Much like we talk about with St. Brown, Sewell is so good it's just expected of him at this point, but he puts in the work. When all the other offensive linemen had the day off during a light practice Wednesday he flipped over to the left side so he could take the reps there. He's so good in space and his daily battles with Hutchinson are fun to watch. It's wild to think he's this good and he's just 23 years old.
9. WR Kaden Davis
Davis stood out in OTAs and minicamp and has continued his productive play right into training camp. Like Fountain, he's one of those players battling for a final roster spot. To win it, those players will have to flash playmaking ability and be good on special teams. Davis has done both so far. He made a 25-yard diving catch for a touchdown in Tuesday's practice that was one of the best plays in camp so far.
10. DL Aidan Hutchinson
Coming off an 11.5 sack season in 2023 where he finished second in the NFL with 101 total pressures (Micah Parsons; 103), Hutchinson looks even stronger and more productive to start his third training camp. The Lions have gotten him more help upfront and more talent and depth in the secondary. He should be a huge beneficiary of both if he stays healthy. The way he's looked in camp so far, I expect him to be among the NFL's sack leaders this year.
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