Seven More Things to Watch as Lions OTAs Heat Up in Allen Park
OTAs officially kicked off this week at the Meijer Performance Center, and while we already got a solid breakdown of six key storylines to follow, there are plenty more roster battles and position questions that deserve attention as this thing gets rolling.
Friday marks the first time media gets to actually watch practice, so we’ll start getting real answers instead of just educated guesses. And yes, I know what you’re thinking — it’s May, nobody’s in pads, and half of this will look completely different by September. Fair enough. But OTAs still matter. They set the tone for training camp battles and give us the first look at how Brad Holmes’ latest roster construction project is going to shake out.
Here are seven more things worth watching as the Lions get back to work.
Miles Frazier’s Swiss Army Knife Potential
The left guard competition is already on everyone’s radar, but Frazier’s value might extend way beyond that one spot. The second-year LSU product could end up cross-training at both guard positions, and if Giovanni Manu opens as the second-team left tackle, Frazier might even get looks as the third-team right tackle.
That’s a lot to juggle, and it might make it harder for him to establish himself as a dark-horse starter at left guard. But developing that kind of versatility? That’s exactly the type of depth Brad Holmes loves to stockpile. Smart organizations don’t just find five starters — they find guys who can play three positions competently.
Miles Kitselman’s Formation-Busting Ability
The undrafted tight end earned draftable grades from multiple analysts, and now he’s competing with Zach Horton and Thomas Gordon for what might be a TE4 roster spot. But here’s what makes Kitselman interesting — Tennessee used him everywhere. Inline, slot, backfield, you name it.
That kind of chess-piece versatility could make him more valuable than a traditional blocking tight end. Drew Petzing likes to move pieces around, and a guy who can create matchup problems from multiple alignments? That’s the kind of weapon that makes coordinators smile.
The Nose Tackle Hierarchy
First things first — we need confirmation that Tyleik Williams is officially running with the first team and inheriting DJ Reader’s role as the primary early-down nose tackle. That should be a formality, but until we see it, it’s not official.
The more interesting question is what happens behind Williams. Does Alim McNeill slide over in certain packages? How do the reps get divided among Chris Smith, Jay Tufele, UDFA Aidan Keanaaina, and possibly Myles Adams? Because here’s the thing — at least one of those depth guys needs to carve out a real role on the 53-man roster. There aren’t many meaningful upgrades left in free agency.
Levi Onwuzurike’s Comeback Tour
When healthy, Onwuzurike is one of the defense’s most disruptive chess pieces because of his alignment versatility and interior quickness. He quietly thrived in passing-down packages kicked inside in 2024, and his ability to line up at multiple spots makes him valuable in the system.
The questions are simple: Is he healthy? Is he still operating as the fifth defensive lineman in the primary rotation? And is he continuing to see work in that hybrid five-technique/three-technique role that made him effective? We’ll also get early intel on who else is working that versatile role among Tyler Lacy, Payton Turner, Mekhi Wingo, and rookies Skyler Gill-Howard and Tyre West.
Ahmed Hassanein’s Redemption Arc
From the draft process through training camp last season, Hassanein almost became Lions folklore among fans. Unique story, easy to root for, and Lions fans desperately wanted additional pass-rush help opposite Aidan Hutchinson. You know how this goes.
His rookie season didn’t unfold as hoped. Waived with an injury settlement during final cuts, eventually returned to the practice squad in November. Pretty standard sixth-round pick journey, honestly.
But OTAs give him a chance to prove he’s healthy and capable of earning a spot in the active defensive end rotation behind Hutchinson, DJ Wonnum, and Derrick Moore. Sometimes year two is when things click.
The Will vs. Sam Linebacker Mystery
With Alex Anzalone gone, there’s real mystery about how the Lions plan to structure their base and nickel personnel groupings. Derrick Barnes might be the skeleton key to it all.
Last season, Barnes was often deployed as a fifth defender on the line of scrimmage in a Sam linebacker role rather than as a traditional stacked off-ball linebacker. But how much will that Sam role actually exist going forward? And where do Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Damone Clark, Jimmy Rolder, Trevor Nowaske, Joe Bachie, and Erick Hunter fit around centerpiece Jack Campbell in both Will and Sam roles?
The Nickel Defense Wild Card
The defensive back room is quietly loaded with roughly a dozen rosterable players, many capable of handling multiple responsibilities. Whoever claims the nickel role — and how effective they prove to be — could directly influence how frequently Detroit uses seven-man fronts and heavier Sam linebacker usage.
Roger McCreary will likely get the first opportunity with the starting nickel group, while Keith Abney II appears poised to transition inside after spending most of his Arizona State career outside. Beyond that? Plenty of moving parts. Watch for Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Christian Izien, Chuck Clark, Thomas Harper, or Avonte Maddox to get opportunities, especially in more evolved three-safety nickel packages.
Which of these position battles are you most curious about, or did we miss an under-the-radar storyline that could shape the roster? Drop your take below.
