We're almost there. The Detroit Lions and the rest of the NFL will start training camp this month. The Lions will of course start at the very end of the month on the 29th, but it will indeed be in July. 

It is now that time of year where we can really start talking about what's going to happen at Lions camp this year. Sadly, we won't be able to go as in depth as we did last year when the Lions were on Hard Knocks, but there will still be plenty of entertainment. Specifically in the camp battle department. 

It seems like there's more battles than ever this year. So we're going to split them up and go over them one by one. Today we're going to start in the backfield with a battle that I'm looking forward to the most. 

Running back three

Let's start in the backfield. Craig Reynolds has mostly held this spot down for the last couple of seasons, but it looks like he's going to have some challengers this year. 

To start, there's undrafted rookie Mohamed Ibrahim out of Minnesota. Ibrahim is a tough running back that can really bring a lot to the table for the Lions in goal line and short yardage situations. He has the ability to truck guys and also juke them out of their shoes. The one thing holding him back is that he has a lot of miles on him. Minnesota seemingly ran their entire offense through him. He has the third most carries in the country in 2022. It's probably why he didn't get drafted. 

Then there's Jemar Jefferson. The Lions took Jefferson in seventh round in 2021 and despite showing some flashes of great play, he's mostly struggled. That doesn't seem to be the case this year though. Jefferson looked pretty good during OTA's and mini camp. He could find himself a roster spot if he brings that same energy into training camp. 

Lastly there's the incumbent Craig Reynolds. He's been a bit of fan favorite since he came in late in the 2021 season and wowed everyone in the final five games of the season of that year. 

Reynolds wound up getting a nice contract after that and was a big part of Hard Knocks last summer. But he wasn't able to recreate that same production on the field. 

Reynolds got some play early in the season and he was never able to crack anything. He ran for 30 yards against the Seahawks. That was his best game. I know that he was the third running back, but we had grown somewhat accustomed to seeing Reynolds shiftiness out there and it just wasn't happening in 2022. 

To make matters worse, he got injured and during that time, Justin Jackson flourished in his role and on special teams. By the time Reynolds got back, he was mostly inactive until Jackson got hurt late in the year. 

My Prediction

Reynolds is still the clubhouse leader as of now. Being the incumbent makes him that at least. I think that there's a chance he makes the 53 man roster if the team carries four running back again. 

Ultimately, I believe that Ibrahim will will take that third spot. He just flows so well with what the Lions are doing at running back. A perfect compliment to a three down back and a change of pace back. 

Featured image by Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK