The Lions can afford to pay both Brian Branch and Sam LaPorta market-setting contracts thanks to smart cap management, low early cap hits, and the flexibility to restructure Jared Goff's deal.
The Lions worked out former All-Pro cornerback Trevon Diggs but didn't sign him, and this is just Brad Holmes doing his homework on a potential depth piece, not a panic move or reflection on the current roster.
The Lions brought back Joshua Dobbs as their backup quarterback after Teddy Bridgewater's sudden departure, reuniting with a former practice squad member who has since bounced between six NFL teams.
The Lions need a new backup quarterback after Teddy Bridgewater walked away, and Gardner Minshew or Will Levis could be the best options available through trade or free agency.
The Lions' cornerback room has gone from grim to surprisingly solid at camp while the offense is launching deep balls and leaning hard into multi-tight end sets.
Brad Holmes and Mike Disner structured Jahmyr Gibbs' extension with minimal void years and backloaded cap hits that leave plenty of room to lock up Brian Branch and Sam LaPorta.
Jameson Williams is working on body positioning to draw more legitimate defensive pass interference calls without flopping, and it could transform Detroit's offense into something harder to defend.
Three bubble players just locked down roster spots while injuries and new signings are pushing fan favorites like Tom Kennedy and Sione Vaki closer to the edge at Lions training camp.
Brad Holmes locked up Jahmyr Gibbs with a massive extension, but now the Lions GM faces the real challenge of affording Brian Branch and Sam LaPorta without blowing up the cap.
The Lions' loaded roster has 41 locked-in spots and 50 players battling for just 12 remaining openings, creating the most competitive training camp in years.
