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Lions offseason questions: Position group to watch

OTAs and minicamp gave us a glimpse at what the Detroit Lions' starting roster will look like in the fall, but training camp is where most jobs and roles are won and lost.

Which position battle are you looking forward to most? I asked the Detroitlions.com crew, and here's what they had to say:

Tim Twentyman: Cornerback

Lions general manager Brad Holmes revamped the secondary this offseason, moving on from Jeff Okudah and Amani Oruwariye and adding Cam Sutton, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Emmanuel Moseley and Brian Branch. Don't forget about Jerry Jacobs too, as he's always performed when given the opportunity.

How fast can Mosley return from the torn ACL to compete with Jacobs for one of the starting spots opposite Sutton on the outside? When nickel cornerback Gardner-Johnson plays some safety, which we could see, will it be Will Harris or Branch in the slot? Where does Saivion Smith fit into the mix? Can an undrafted guy like Starling Thomas V make the roster? There's still a lot of new and moving parts at cornerback.

View some of the best photos from Detroit Lions offseason workouts, OTAs and minicamp.

Mike O'Hara: Linebacker

The battle at linebacker is the position that I'm most interested to watch because of the depth of the competition.

It isn't only the starting positions that are at stake. Who gets playing time in the rotation will be interesting to watch.

Alex Anzalone is in his third season with the Lions and is the leader of the linebacker core.

Jack Campbell was drafted in the first round and should make a strong run at the second spot.

Derrick Barnes' stock is rising in his third year. He has become a stronger leader in directing traffic. Malcolm Rodriguez will compete for playing time after a promising rookie season.

PJ's Pick: Running back

I'm looking forward to seeing how the offense can improve upon last year's performance as a whole, but the running backs are what stand out most.

There's obviously two new names at the top of the depth chart in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. Montgomery didn't practice much during the offseason program, so I'm excited to see what he looks like lined up with the rest of the team. As for Gibbs, watch out for how he's used in the pass game during camp, especially in the slot.

While those two will be focal points of the offense, the battle at running back for spots down the roster should be a good one. Can Craig Reynolds, Jermar Jefferson, Mohamed Ibrahim or Greg Bell replace the 2022 production of Justin Jackson, both in the run game and on special teams? It's certainly worth watching to me.

View photos of the Detroit Lions' alternate helmet.

Editor's Pick: Defensive line

The edge rushers in particular. Despite not really adding to the position this offseason, it's a crowded and talented room. Second-year players Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston are looking to follow up impressive rookie performances.

Veterans Charles Harris (groin) and Romeo Okwara (Achilles) are back to full health after dealing with injuries last season, and the team re-signed productive defensive lineman John Cominsky this offseason.

I'm also excited to see where Josh Paschal is at in his second year. He showed flashes at the end of his rookie season after missing time with an injury. He should play much more of a role in Year 2.

As the saying goes, you can never have too many pass rushers, but I'll be interested to see how the Lions divvy up playing time at the position moving forward.

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