The Detroit Lions had a big day at training camp on Monday. It was the first day back in pads, and there were some standouts worth talking about. Three guys stood out more than any of them.

RB Jacob Saylors

Sione Vaki left practice early with an injury, and this meant Saylors got bumped up to first-team reps with Isiah Pacheco. He took full advantage of it right away. He took a big run that would have been a near 50-yard touchdown in early 11-on-11s. He owes Christian Mahogany for one heck of a block that sprung him.

But then in later 11-on-11s, he took a floater pass from Teddy Bridgewater another 40-50 yards. This time he did take it to the house for a touchdown. I think Saylors has made a case for himself to be on the 53-man roster, but on Monday he made a case to be the RB3.

CB D.J. Reed

It’s more than safe to say at this point that Reed is himself again. On Sunday, he had two interceptions, but then on Monday, he was sticky in coverage again and had a big pass breakup on Amon-Ra St. Brown. He’s really starting to look like the guy that the Lions were hoping for when they signed him after Carlton Davis left.

Edge Ahmed Hassanien

If you walked into this year’s training camp saying you didn’t get it with Hassanien, you probably get it now after five days of camp. The guy is just intense out there. After a one-on-one with Brock Wright, he let out a primal scream that got everyone’s attention.

Beyond that, he’s showing to be good at football as well. He put on some pressure in 11-on-11s and then showed some finesse in one-on-ones. He still has some things to learn and some room to grow, but you see now that he’s starting to put it all together. It’s stuff like this that makes you feel ok about the defensive line and what they may be able to do in 2026.

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