The Detroit Lions are heading to training camp in less than a week, and one of the big things that everyone will have on their minds early is who is going to be running with what team out there? I know on day one, when I get out there, I’m going to be seeing who is with the first team and who is with the second team.

With that in mind, I wanted to predict who I believe will be on both of those teams. Here’s what I came up with for offense and defense:

Lions’ First Team

Pretty straightforward stuff here. The only real swings I’m taking are that rookie Jimmy Rolder is jumping right to the first team instead of working his way up there. He was taking first-team reps during OTAs and mini-camp, and his development is one to watch this summer because the Lions need to replace Alex Anzalone.

You’ll note that I have Wonnum in the second edge spot instead of Derrick Moore. That’s purely because the Lions are going to want to develop Moore’s run-stuffing game a bit. This doesn’t mean that Moore won’t get reps with the first team. He’ll definitely get them and get a lot of them. I just see Wonnum as their starter there at the beginning of the year.

With Brian Branch not likely to be there on day one of camp, Thomas Harper gets the spot, and if you ask me, he’s going to be a big part of this team in 2026.

Lions’ Second Team

This is going to be the more interesting group because there are a lot of guys here who can move up to that first team spot. Ennis Rakestraw, for example, has a real shot to show what he can do and beat out Ya-Sin, but he has to stay healthy first and foremost.

Veteran Chuck Clark could also lay claim to Branch’s spot early, and don’t be surprised if there is a lot of mixing in there. Izien and Maddox should also be expected to mix in there as well as in that nickel corner spot.

Skyler Gill-Howard is drawing a ton of hype for his athletic ability ahead of camp, and he has some real pass rush juice worth keeping an eye on, but the same size at Texas Tech as so small. We have to see more.

On offense, the offensive line is going to be interesting with so many guys fighting for the left guard spots, but other interior jobs that need to be filled too. Scruggs moving back to center makes a lot of sense, and Ben Bartch is another guy to watch for first-team reps in place of Mahogany. That job is wide open.

The work-in guys

QB Luke Altmyer

RB Sione Vaki

RB Jacob Saylors

RB Kye Robichaux

RB jabari Small

WR Malik Cunningham

WR Domnic Lovett

WR Lucky Jackson

WR Tarik Black

WR Tay Martin

WR Lawrence Keys III

OT Giovanni Manu

OT Colby Sorsdal

OT Mason Miller

OL Michael Niese

OT Melvin Priestly

C Seth McLaughlin

TE Zach Horton

TE Miles Kitselman

TE Jackson Meeks

TE Thomas Gordon

Edge Tyre West

Edge Payton Turner

Edge Eric O’Niell

Edge Anthony Lucas

DL Myles Adams

DL Levi Onwuzurkie

DL Mekhi Wingo

DL Chris Smith

DL Aidan Keanaaina

DL Jay Tufele

LB Joe Bachie

CB Nick Whiteside

CB De’Shawn Rucker

CB Amaris Brown

S Dan Jackson

S Loren Strickland

Don’t get it twisted. These aren’t a group of guys who are forgotten or left out. They’re all going to work in on the second team, and some might even get first-team reps as well. They’ll also get to prove their worth on special teams. Everyone is going to have a shot to earn a roster spot.

Some of the guys to really keep an eye on here are Sione Vaki, Luke Altmyer, Nick Whiteside, Levi Onwuzurkie, Mekhi Wingo, Giovanni Manu, Erick Turner, Jackson Meeks, Miles Kitselman, and Payton Turner.

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