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Heading into training camp, Dan Campbell has made it clear that several starting jobs are still up for grabs. With open competition comes pressure, and a handful of players will need to elevate their game if they want to earn a starting role.
Two of the biggest names are left guard Christian Mahogany and cornerback Terrion Arnold, but they aren’t the only ones fighting for playing time. Between the Lions’ rookie class and several veteran free-agent additions, training camp will be a crucial evaluation period across the roster. Here are the three players who need to step up the most.
Terrion Arnold
Arnold enters his third season in Detroit facing a very different situation than he did during his first two years. Instead of being penciled in as a starter, he’ll have to earn his spot.
Last season, Arnold appeared in just eight games after missing two with a concussion and another seven due to a shoulder injury that ultimately ended his season. While he did record the first interception of his career, he’ll need to show much more if he wants to lock down a starting role.
While Arnold was sidelined, Rock Ya-Sin stepped up in a big way. Starting six games, Ya-Sin turned in arguably the best season of his career and proved he belongs in the conversation. Campbell made it clear when speaking on Arnold.
“It’s just about competing,” Campbell said. “We’ve got a lot of good guys in that room… He’s got to go earn it.”
Arnold also has to contend with former second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw. After appearing in only eight games through his first two seasons and missing all of last year with a shoulder injury, Rakestraw has added muscle this offseason and appears determined to prove he can still become the player Detroit envisioned when it drafted him.
With DJ Reed locked into one starting spot, the competition for the opposite cornerback position should be one of the most intriguing battles of camp.
Christian Mahogany
I recently wrote that I believe Mahogany is one of the Lions’ most overrated players—not because I think he’s a bad player, but because expectations may have gotten ahead of reality.
Mahogany joined Detroit in 2024 and impressed when given an opportunity. However, that opportunity was limited. He started just one game and logged only 75 offensive snaps, making it a very small sample size.
Last season, Mahogany entered the year as the favorite to start but struggled with consistency before suffering a fractured leg that sidelined him for six games. Now healthy, he’ll have to prove he deserves the job once again.
The Lions signed veteran Ben Bartch and drafted Miles Frazier in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, making it clear they intend to create real competition at left guard. Campbell recently addressed Mahogany’s situation.
“We know he’s got ability and potential. But there’s a reason we brought in Bartch, there’s a reason Frazier is here. We may try Manu (Giovanni Manu) a little bit. (Mahogany) is in the running, and we expect him to compete.”
Nothing has been decided yet, but Mahogany will need a strong training camp—and possibly a strong preseason to separate himself from the competition.
Derrick Moore
Second-round rookie Derrick Moore has a golden opportunity in front of him. With Aidan Hutchinson firmly established on one side of the defensive line, Moore is competing with veteran DJ Wonnum for the starting role opposite him.
Detroit made it a priority this offseason to upgrade the edge position, addressing it through both free agency and the draft. During OTAs, Wonnum took the majority of first-team reps, but Moore also saw time with the starters.
Coaches have consistently praised Moore’s relentless motor and physical style of play, two traits that made him an attractive second-round selection. He’s also shown the ability to consistently set the edge, something general manager Brad Holmes has repeatedly emphasized as a priority for the position.
Holmes even acknowledged that allowing Al-Quadin Muhammad to leave in free agency was influenced by Detroit’s desire to improve its edge-setting ability. If Moore continues to excel in that area while generating pressure on the quarterback, he could quickly force his way into the starting lineup.
Final Thoughts
These are three of the most compelling position battles to watch throughout training camp. Each player has the talent to earn a starting role, but each also faces legitimate competition.
If I had to predict one player to win his battle, I’d pick Terrion Arnold. Despite the competition, I believe he has the highest ceiling of the group and the best chance to emerge as Detroit’s starting cornerback opposite DJ Reed by Week 1.
Continue reading...
Two of the biggest names are left guard Christian Mahogany and cornerback Terrion Arnold, but they aren’t the only ones fighting for playing time. Between the Lions’ rookie class and several veteran free-agent additions, training camp will be a crucial evaluation period across the roster. Here are the three players who need to step up the most.
Terrion Arnold
Arnold enters his third season in Detroit facing a very different situation than he did during his first two years. Instead of being penciled in as a starter, he’ll have to earn his spot.
Last season, Arnold appeared in just eight games after missing two with a concussion and another seven due to a shoulder injury that ultimately ended his season. While he did record the first interception of his career, he’ll need to show much more if he wants to lock down a starting role.
While Arnold was sidelined, Rock Ya-Sin stepped up in a big way. Starting six games, Ya-Sin turned in arguably the best season of his career and proved he belongs in the conversation. Campbell made it clear when speaking on Arnold.
“It’s just about competing,” Campbell said. “We’ve got a lot of good guys in that room… He’s got to go earn it.”
Arnold also has to contend with former second-round pick Ennis Rakestraw. After appearing in only eight games through his first two seasons and missing all of last year with a shoulder injury, Rakestraw has added muscle this offseason and appears determined to prove he can still become the player Detroit envisioned when it drafted him.
With DJ Reed locked into one starting spot, the competition for the opposite cornerback position should be one of the most intriguing battles of camp.
Christian Mahogany
I recently wrote that I believe Mahogany is one of the Lions’ most overrated players—not because I think he’s a bad player, but because expectations may have gotten ahead of reality.
Mahogany joined Detroit in 2024 and impressed when given an opportunity. However, that opportunity was limited. He started just one game and logged only 75 offensive snaps, making it a very small sample size.
Last season, Mahogany entered the year as the favorite to start but struggled with consistency before suffering a fractured leg that sidelined him for six games. Now healthy, he’ll have to prove he deserves the job once again.
The Lions signed veteran Ben Bartch and drafted Miles Frazier in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, making it clear they intend to create real competition at left guard. Campbell recently addressed Mahogany’s situation.
“We know he’s got ability and potential. But there’s a reason we brought in Bartch, there’s a reason Frazier is here. We may try Manu (Giovanni Manu) a little bit. (Mahogany) is in the running, and we expect him to compete.”
Nothing has been decided yet, but Mahogany will need a strong training camp—and possibly a strong preseason to separate himself from the competition.
Derrick Moore
Second-round rookie Derrick Moore has a golden opportunity in front of him. With Aidan Hutchinson firmly established on one side of the defensive line, Moore is competing with veteran DJ Wonnum for the starting role opposite him.
Detroit made it a priority this offseason to upgrade the edge position, addressing it through both free agency and the draft. During OTAs, Wonnum took the majority of first-team reps, but Moore also saw time with the starters.
Coaches have consistently praised Moore’s relentless motor and physical style of play, two traits that made him an attractive second-round selection. He’s also shown the ability to consistently set the edge, something general manager Brad Holmes has repeatedly emphasized as a priority for the position.
Holmes even acknowledged that allowing Al-Quadin Muhammad to leave in free agency was influenced by Detroit’s desire to improve its edge-setting ability. If Moore continues to excel in that area while generating pressure on the quarterback, he could quickly force his way into the starting lineup.
Final Thoughts
These are three of the most compelling position battles to watch throughout training camp. Each player has the talent to earn a starting role, but each also faces legitimate competition.
If I had to predict one player to win his battle, I’d pick Terrion Arnold. Despite the competition, I believe he has the highest ceiling of the group and the best chance to emerge as Detroit’s starting cornerback opposite DJ Reed by Week 1.
Continue reading...
