Lions' Rookie Report: Draft Class Earning First-Team Reps

Evaluating the Lions' 2023 Draft class after first week of training camp

Training camp offers the first real opportunity to evaluate members of an NFL team's rookie class. It'll be no different for the Detroit Lions' 2023 crop of newcomers. 

After a long stretch of spring workouts, the rookies will don pads for the first time on Friday. This will be the first time all will compete in contact drills as members of Dan Campbell's team. 

With one week of camp nearing its conclusion, here's a review of the performance of the rookie class in Allen Park. 

Jahmyr Gibbs

The rookie hasn't had many opportunities to showcase his speed in non-contact practices. However, he's been able to show off his pass-catching ability in team drills. 

Once the team gets into padded practices, it will be exciting to see his potential role as an offensive weapon. There's still plenty more to come in camp for the Alabama product. 

A better look at Gibbs will come when the team hosts its joint practices against the Giants and Jaguars in August. 

Jack Campbell

Campbell has been repping with the first team alongside Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes, so there's potential for him to be in the starting lineup right away. 

There will be hiccups for the Iowa product, who will have to adjust to the speed of NFL competition and get used to filling lanes in Aaron Glenn's scheme. 

However, his natural athleticism and size will help him measure up as he catches up mentally. Starting in the season opener remains a strong possibility. 

Sam LaPorta

There's a very real chance that LaPorta is the team's best tight end. He's certainly looked like it throughout the offseason, most recently repping with the first-team offense. 

He's received praise from offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who admitted to being impressed with the youngster. 

"He's proven that over the course of the springtime and the work that he's put in," Johnson said Wednesday. "So, encouraged with where he's going. He's still making mistakes, he's still learning, we are putting a lot of pressure on him to pick it up. But, I think he's in a really good spot for a first-year tight end, particularly with, like I said, the volume we are playing with the installs right now. So, to see him be able to go out on the field and make plays, pass game and run game, I think we're headed the right direction."

If LaPorta can hold his own as a run blocker, he'll be a strong pick to start and provide plenty of contributions in the Lions' passing game. 

Brian Branch

With a trio of strong safeties ahead of him, Branch is battling for work with the second team. His ability as one of the best college tacklers will allow him to contribute to the team's special teams units. 

So far, he's impressed with his physicality. Shoulder pads should give him the opportunity to show that his abilities in the open field have translated to the professional ranks. 

Hendon Hooker

Hooker is currently on the NFI list, as he continues to recover from a torn ACL. He has been engaged in practices with a sense of optimism that he may be cleared sooner rather than later. 

He has been throwing and running after practices. The Lions will bring him about slowly, as members of the front-office brass have already declared this season as a redshirt campaign for the young passer. 

Brodric Martin

Martin's calling-card is his size, and training camp has proven it early. The rookie is massive, and should be good to plug run gaps. 

He'll likely be a rotational player for the early part of the season, with a chance to use training camp as a springboard into a bigger role. 

Colby Sorsdal

Sorsdal is acclimating to the NFL speed, as he works with the second and third offensive lines. 

He's set to compete with other backup guards for the final roster spots. This battle will likely span throughout camp. 

Antoine Green

With Marvin Jones Jr. on the NFI list, an opportunity for Green has opened to get first-team reps. He's done so sparingly, but with little of note. 

Using his speed will be pivotal to getting more reps with the higher level of the offense. 

"He's a 4.4 (seconds in 40-yard dash) guy, he needs to play 4.4 every single snap and when he does that – he shows an ability to get open," Johnson said. 

The North Carolina product has also been working with the special teams units, in an effort to bolster his case for a roster spot.