Pride of Detroit’s Morgan Cannon was on hand for the Lions sixth and final OTA of the spring and has observations from his notebook.
The Detroit Lions hosted their sixth and final OTA of the Spring on Thursday, wrapping up offseason activities until they report back for training camp later in July. Due to some wet weather in the Metro Detroit area, coaches opted to use their indoor facility for the afternoon practice, and in general, the intensity of practice was dialed down for the team’s final practice ahead of camp.
Ahead of practice, Lions’ coach Dan Campbell set the record straight on center Frank Ragnow’s retirement and went out of his way to compliment several players for their performance during the team’s offseason program. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs, wide receiver Jameson Williams, and tight end Sam LaPorta all were mentioned by name as players who have taken steps.
“We’ve tweaked a few things here and there — how he sees it, how he wants things run, how he wants to isolate certain players,” said Campbell of new offensive coordinator John Morton’s vision for the offense. “A lot of the focal points were wide receiver Jameson Williams and running back Jahmyr Gibbs, tight end Sam LaPorta, among others, and then getting the offense in. I thought we did that. I thought we really honed in on their versatility and all things they can do.”
All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown echoed Campbell’s observations in a post-practice interview with the media.
“I think those guys are playmakers,” St. Brown said. “In our offense, they’re guys that we need, guys that we lean on. Watching them this spring has been a lot of fun. Being able to sit back and watch them do their thing and get better. Everyone on this team is important, but guys like Jamo and Jahmyr are getting better—they’re still young, so their room for improvement—but it’s awesome to see them grow.”
St. Brown, who is recovering from a routine procedure on his knee earlier in the offseason, was off to the side working out with trainers along with rookie Isaac TeSlaa. In his absence, veteran receiver Kalif Raymond took snaps with the first-team offense alongside Jameson Williams and Tim Patrick.
On the offensive line, All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell, left tackle Taylor Decker, and interior offensive lineman Graham Glasgow were all not present for practice. In their places, Giovanni Manu was in at left tackle, Christian Mahogany at left guard, rookie Tate Ratledge at center, Kayode Awosika at right guard, and Dan Skipper at right tackle.
The center battle (and the interior offensive line as a whole) will be something to watch once camp opens up later in July.
“Experience is big. It is,” said Campbell of the new-look offensive line. “But I think it’s whether it’s there or it’s the guy next to you that can help out a lot too. You’re going to need some experience somewhere in there. As long as you have that, you’re okay.”
Will the coaching staff opt to throw Ratledge in at center right away, or will they turn to the more experienced option in Glasgow to begin the year? Either way, they’ll need to lean on offensive line coach/run game coordinator Hank Fraley.
“Now we need growth,” Campbell continued. “We need development, quickly.’ That’s why Hank Fraley’s the coach in that room. He’s done a hell of a job developing talent. He’s going to get these guys right – whoever it is – between (Miles) Frazier and (Tate) Ratledge. All of these guys, some of these young guys we got. And there again, having Graham (Glasgow) helps now – it’s huge – because he’s got the flexibility to play both guards and center.”
In the defensive trenches, Campbell also mentioned rookies like Lions’ defensive tackle Tyleik Williams are making strides, even if they aren’t necessarily getting reps on the practice field.
“Tyleik hasn’t practiced,” said Campbell. “He’s done a little bit of walk-through, certainly been in the classroom. I mentioned this last week — nothing’s changed. These rookies, we’re trying to get them right. Before they get out for summer and we bring them back, we want them ready and healthy to go full-speed training camp.”
Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport got plenty of reps at both defensive end spots, while linebacker Jack Campbell is looking more comfortable than ever at the MIKE. During team periods, the coaching staff was incorporating some tempo on offense, forcing the defense to make their calls and adjust on the fly.
In the secondary, Campbell highlighted second-year cornerback Ennis Rakestraw as someone who has taken significant steps this spring and, after spending time at nickel as a rookie, is getting the opportunity to compete for playing time on the outside in 2025.
“It’s up to him. He’s got an opportunity,” said Campbell of Rakestraw’s development. “We’re going to play the best guy. That’s what competition’s about. The whole roster knows that. If you’re the best guy, we’re not going to just sit there. It’s the best guy. He’s going to have a chance to compete. We’d like to keep him outside right now and just let him go. He had a good spring. There again, we’re in pajamas, but he’s going to get a chance to compete and see how much he’s grown and what kind of production he can have for us.”