Detroit Lions rookie minicamp begins Friday. Here are five things to watch for.
The Detroit Lions open up their set of three rookie minicamp practices on Friday morning. It will be the first opportunity for both the media and Lions coaches to see the 2025 NFL Draft class—plus the 11 reported UDFA signings —in action at Allen Park.
Here are five things I’ll be keeping an eye out for during Friday’s practice.
How will the Lions be using Isaac TeSlaa?
While it may have not been my favorite pick, Detroit’s aggressive move to select TeSlaa at the top of the third round was certainly their most fascinating move of draft weekend. Clearly, the Lions have big plans for the former Arkansas receiver. The first question facing TeSlaa is: where will he play? He played mostly out of the slot in college, but he has the athletic tools to play the outside. Lions general manager Brad Holmes said there’s a learning curve he’ll face on the outside, so will Detroit play him everywhere to begin with, or will he be getting a crash course on the WR-X position from the get go?
Beyond that, I’m eager to see what the Lions see in him. Does his ridiculous athleticism immediately stick out? Will we see him piss off cornerbacks like Brad Holmes saw at the Senior Bowl?
Who will have the early jump on the guard position?
The Lions figure to have a very healthy competition at both starting guard positions. Graham Glasgow, Christian Mahogany, and the two drafted offensive linemen this year—Tate Ratledge in the second round and Miles Frazier in the fifth—all have realistic shots at winning one of the two open jobs.
Will we see both Ratledge and Frazier as the starting guards in rookie minicamp? If so, which side will each play? And will either get some play at center this early in their Lions career?
It will be difficult to judge the play of either player considering pads aren’t on yet, but how the Lions use both players will be notable.
What does Tyleik Williams’ explosiveness look like in person?
To categorize Williams as a pure nose tackle is to do his overall game an injustice. Yes, he’s one of the best run-defending defensive linemen in this year’s class, but just about everyone who has been around him has raved about his unreal athleticism—often seen in his first step.
Again, assessing line play will be difficult without pads, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Williams stick out from the group simply due to his explosiveness.
Note: Another minor question is whether Williams will be even participating. On Instagram, he’s been documenting some rehab from a hamstring injury . So any level of participation would be a good sign.
Which Lions UDFA will stand out as a candidate to make the 53-man roster?
There won’t be many spots available on the Lions’ initial 53-man roster, but Friday will be the first opportunity for some of the undrafted rookies to make their case. By nature of their position and the vacancies the Lions roster may have, I’m keeping a close eye on tight ends Caden Prieskorn and Zach Horton, wide receivers Jackson Meeks and Jakobie Keeney-James, and safety Ian Kennelly.
What will Ahmed Hassanein do/say?
It’s impossible not to be drawn in by Hassanein’s story and personality. You can sense he’s already becoming a fan favorite.
Will his relentless motor show up on the field? Will someone as new to the game as he is look as raw as Giovanni Manu looked last rookie minicamp? How will his first in-person media session go? And what will an interaction between Hassanein and Dan Campbell look like?
While there’s a danger of getting overhyped about a sixth-round pick, Hassanein will be a fascinating story to cover throughout his Lions journey, and I’m admittedly excited to meet him this weekend.