The Lions are into their second week of OTAs at Allen Park, and fans are already deep in the weeds with questions about everything from injury concerns to breakout candidates. Let’s dig into what matters and what doesn’t as we inch closer to training camp.
The Injury Reality Check
Yes, Kendrick Law going down with what appears to be a non-contact injury is frustrating. But here’s the thing: this is happening everywhere right now. The Giants just lost receiver Gunner Olszewski to a torn Achilles. Minor injuries are popping up across the league during OTAs.
It’s June. This is normal. Not great, but normal.
About That Pass Protection Problem
Someone asked if the offensive line allowed more sacks last season, and the answer is a resounding yes. Jared Goff got dropped 38 times in 2025, which is seven more than the 2024 season and the most in his entire career.
The fact that Goff still managed to do what he did behind that protection tells you everything about his toughness. The moves Brad Holmes made this offseason to shore up that line suddenly look even smarter than they did on draft day.
Thomas Harper: The Name You Should Know
If you’re looking for a breakout candidate, stop sleeping on Thomas Harper. The safety is just 25 years old and showed real promise when he got thrust into a starting role. With questions surrounding Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch potentially not returning until late September, Harper is positioned to step up in a big way.
He could very well be the future at that position. And frankly, that’s not the worst problem to have.
The Youth Movement Was Necessary
The Lions said goodbye to some veteran faces this offseason, and that changing of the guard was the right call. At some point, you have to get younger without getting too young. The players they let go were largely at the end of their primes or approaching it.
Holmes managed to thread that needle without creating major holes at key positions. That’s not luck. That’s planning.
Safety Depth Is Actually Fine
Despite the hand-wringing about not drafting a young safety, the Lions are covered at that position better than most realize. Harper, Chuck Clark who has been a career starter, Avonte Maddox who started on a Super Bowl team, and Christian Izien form a solid group. Add Brian Branch back into the mix when he returns, and there’s real depth there.
Sometimes the best move is the one you don’t make.
What to Watch This Summer
Abney could potentially win the starting slot corner job, which would be something. Ahmed Hassanein should see more rotational snaps, though not starter-level work just yet.
As for the left guard competition between Frazier and Mahogany, it’s too early to tell anything meaningful. There’s no real contact happening at OTAs. Dan Campbell has already told everyone not to read into who’s running with what unit right now anyway.
The real answers start coming when the pads go on in training camp.
Think Harper is ready to take the next step or are we setting ourselves up for another Lions-style letdown? Drop your take below.
Thomas Harper getting a real shot is exactly what I needed to hear. This team isn’t gonna panic and reach for a safety in the draft when they’ve got solid depth already there. That’s the kind of smart thinking Holmes has been bringing and it’s refreshing not to see us overreact to every little thing.
I want to believe Harper is the answer, I really do. But we’re talking about a guy who got thrust into action because of injuries. Big difference between getting playing time out of necessity and actually being ready to carry that position. Let’s see what he looks like when the pads come on at camp before we crown him.
You know what I respect about what Holmes is doing? He’s not trying to build this team through panic moves. Back in the day we’d have burned draft picks and cap space trying to fill every hole. This patience with guys like Harper developing naturally, that’s a different mentality and I’ve already seen it pay off more than once.
The thing about not overreacting to OTAs is so important. Everyone’s out here freaking out about every little injury and every snap count when it literally doesn’t matter till September. This article gets it. Holmes and Campbell aren’t gonna panic either, they’ll handle the real issues when they matter.