Detroit Lions Training Camp Observations Day 5: Big changes to intensity on first day pads, rookie woes, and big gains from under-the-radar guys
Training camp observations: The Lions had a noticable change in how they practice on the first day in pads, there were some rookie wowes and some under-the-radar guys showed up big.
The Detroit Lions wrapped their first padded practice of 2026 training camp on Monday, and there was plenty to take away from the session. From the left guard competition to the safety injury updates to a standout day from a young running back, here’s everything worth noting from Detroit’s first day in pads.
The left guard battle is heating up
It looks like Christian Mahogany and Miles Frazier are going back and forth with the first-team reps at left guard. Ben Bartsch was off to the side without pads on Monday, doing some work separately from the group. At this point, it’s hard to know where that situation is heading. The competition appears to be between Mahogany, Frazier, and Scruggs, though Scruggs didn’t get any first-team reps on this particular day.
Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are definitely trending the right way
The safety situation is one worth monitoring closely. Brian Branch was off to the side wearing his jersey and running with trainers. That’s usually a good sign that a player is getting closer to a return. He wasn’t just running straight lines, either. He was cutting, changing direction, and doing everything you’d want to see. He looked fast, explosive, and exactly how you’d want him to look.
Kerby Joseph was also out doing work on the side, mostly calisthenics, stretches, and some running. Every time I’ve seen Joseph out here, there’s nothing about him that suggests he won’t be ready for the start of the season. Both safeties are trending the right way.
The least violent first day of pads I’ve ever seen
One of the big takeaways from Monday was that the Lions seemed to save the tackling for later. Now, you have to understand, Detroit has built a reputation as a team that practices hard. It’s their thing. They get out there and hit as much as they possibly can. But there was very little contact until 11-on-11 work. You didn’t see much hitting in 7-on-7s or positional drills. No big collisions that made the crowd gasp. For a first day in pads, it was a pretty safe session, and that’s not what we’ve typically seen in the past.
Jacob Saylors had a breakout day
Jacob Saylors might have had the best day I’ve seen him have with the Lions. He got a ton of opportunities on Monday and took full advantage. In the first 11-on-11 period, he ripped off a big run. Then in the second 11-on-11, he caught a short pass from quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and took it all the way for a touchdown. Sailors has a chance to secure a spot on the 53-man roster and could win that third running back job. This would be huge for him.
Kind of a rough day for Blake Miller
Look, it’s just small stuff, but he had a bad rep against D.J. Wonnum where Wonnum kind of juked him out of his shoes with a swim move. It was nice to see from Wonnum. A short while before that, Tyler Lacy just kind of overpowered him and pushed him back.
At the end of the day, this is Miller’s first padded practice in the NFL. It’s not a big deal that this is happening to him, and it wasn’t like it happened all day, but it just shows you there’s room to grow, and that’s ok.
Big things that happened in 11-on-11s
RockYa-Sin continues to impress. You can tell the coaches love him. They’re constantly shouting encouragement his way during drills. He’s definitely turning some heads.
Tyler Lacy had a strong day, recording a sack on Jared Goff in team drills. Mehkii Wingo and Levi Onwuzurikie teamed up for a sack on Teddy Bridgewater as well. On the other side of the ball, Lucky Jackson made a nice sideline catch against Amaris Brown on a good throw from Bridgewater with Hassaneen bearing down. That might have been the play of the day. Speaking of Hassaneen, that guy looks better and better every single day. I’m starting to get really impressed by what he brings.
DJ Reed had a big pass breakup on Amon-Ra St. Brown in 11-on-11. But St. Brown came back a couple of plays later, caught a ball from Goff in a tight window, and took it to the house for a touchdown. This also has some play of the day claims as well.
Cade Mays is looking like everything the Lions wanted at center. He was dominant in drills, didn’t allow much pressure, and held up well in 11-on-11. Then there’s undrafted rookie Anthony Lucas, who hit Miles Frazier with a nice jerk move in one-on-ones, pulling him one way and then ripping around the edge. That’s exactly what you want to see from a young pass rusher trying to make the roster.
Emptying the notebook
- I thought Kye Robichaux had a nice day
- Before he left with an injury, Lawrence Keys was looking pretty good out there.
- By the way, the following guys are being evaluated for injuries after Monday: Sione Vaki (eye), Lawrence Keys (leg), and Anthony Firsker (leg).
- It would seem that the return man duties are going to come down to Greg Dortch, Tom Kennedy, Lawrence Keys, Isiah Pacheco, or Dominic Lovett. They’ve consistently been the guys back there.
- There was very minimal scuffling going on.
- Malcolm Rodriguez and Devin White rotated with the first team
- Avonte Maddox had a really nice run stuff on Jabari Small. It got some “woos’ from the crowd.
Moon stuff
The moon was still out for basically the entirety of Lions practice. Being as though I’m the moon guy, I had to bring it up.
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