Rookie to watch: OL Tate Ratledge
The Lions appear poised to give their second-round pick out of Georgia every opportunity to be their starting center in 2025 after the retirement of Frank Ragnow. Ratledge was at center in OTA practices with Christian Mahogany at left guard and Graham Glasgow at right guard.
Glasgow has experience at center too and will get plenty of play there, but it seems like Detroit is going to give Ratledge a long look to be one of their starters along the interior of their offensive line in 2025.
Position battle to watch: Backup quarterback
Outside of the starting rotation along the interior of the offensive line, the next biggest position battle will be between Hendon Hooker and Kyle Allen to be Goff's backup. Quarterbacks coach Mark Brunell said the competition is wide open heading into camp.
Hooker is heading into his third season and second full season, looking to earn the coaches' trust and prove he can be that guy not only in the regular season but in the playoffs too. Hooker was Goff's backup during the regular season last year, but the team opted to sign veteran Teddy Bridgewater to have more experience behind Goff for their playoff run.
Allen has started 19 games over a seven-year career with a 62.7 career completion percentage with more touchdowns (26) than interceptions (21). Will the Lions opt for more experience behind Goff? Both Hooker and Allen will have the benefit of four preseason games and not the usual three to show what they can do and earn the job.