5 Lions who have already made the team but still need a big final week of training camp
Christian Mahogany, Juice Scruggs and three defensive players aren’t fighting for roster spots — they’re trying to define exactly what Detroit will ask them to do in Week 1.
The Detroit Lions enter their final week of training camp with cutdown days arriving Sunday. Detroit will have its 53-man roster set sometime next week, and while the roster picture is coming into focus, there are five players who are locks to make the team but still need a strong finish to camp. These aren’t bubble guys. They’re making the 53. The question is about role clarity, starting jobs, and positioning for Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints.
Let’s break it down.
Christian Mahogany needs to make left guard his
At this point, if you ask me, Lions offensive guard Christian Mahogany is the starting left guard for this team. But if you ask Dan Campbell, he might not say the same. He might still think the competition is ongoing.
The Lions have been bringing in starting-caliber veteran guards to try out, and they could sign one of those players this week. Mahogany needs to unequivocally, unquestionably make that left guard spot his own. He needs to end camp on a high note with a strong week of practice. He’s been good this summer, but the Lions have not officially given him the job yet. Maybe they do sometime this week.
Juice Scruggs has to settle in as Jared Goff’s center
This is center Juice Scruggs’ opportunity to cement himself as quarterback Jared Goff’s Week 1 center. He has this week and next week to practice and prepare to start against the Saints.
The priority is continuing to build rapport and communication with Goff, and also building that communication with the rest of the offensive line. The center is the quarterback of the line in a lot of ways. He’s going to be tasked with making sure the communication calls are out for everybody, and he’s the first guy to touch the ball on every play. Get the timing right, make sure the communication is locked in, and have a big week.
Devin White should leave no doubt at will linebacker
The Lions haven’t said it outright, but it’s pretty clear that linebacker Devin White is going to be the starting will linebacker. He’s looked good all summer, but it would go a long way if he has a dominant final week and the Lions come out and say without a doubt that White is their guy at the position.
I don’t think he plays in the third preseason game. I would be kind of shocked if he does. If he sits Saturday, that should tell you everything you need to know. Have a big week, three good practices, sit out the game, and the job is officially his.
Derrick Moore can earn more Week 1 snaps
Edge rusher Derrick Moore had a strong preseason game on Saturday. He’s looked good since coming back from injury. He’s making the 53. That’s not even a concern.
But here’s a good chance for him to put some good stuff on film so the conversation shifts from “he still needs some reps before we start playing him more” to “he should be playing a ton of snaps in Week 1.” This is Moore’s opportunity to show he belongs in a significant role right away as opposed to a slow-build approach where they grow the rookie throughout the season. Get out there, put good reps on film, and earn more opportunity.
D.J. Reed just needs to stay healthy
Cornerback D.J. Reed has had a great summer outside of a short stretch where he dealt with a groin injury. For him, this is less about making the roster and more about getting himself completely ready after an interrupted camp.
Get healthy. Make sure everything feels right. And please, don’t do the backflip thing again. That’s something a lot of Lions fans would probably say to him. It was a great tackle for a loss on Saturday, but that backflip made pretty much everyone in Ford Field gasp. This is the Lions’ No. 1 cornerback, one of the best defensive players on the team. You do not want to lose him for any amount of time.
This final week is a chance for Reed to get the rest of the corners settled behind him and arrive at the regular season feeling right. He’s in a good place. Now it’s about staying there.
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