Roundtable: Lions Minicamp Highlights, Trade Offer for Chase Young
1.) What impressed you about Lions minicamp last week?
Christian Booher: I think the defense is going to be much better in 2023. The vibe that C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Cam Sutton and the rest of the veterans are bringing is transformative.
The defense, surprisingly, is what leaves me optimistic after minicamp. Gardner-Johnson will be a difference-maker in the secondary, and gives the Lions a level of control that the unit didn't have last year. Aaron Glenn's defense looked ahead of the offense during the open portions, so expectations should be high for this group.
Vito Chirco: There were numerous things that impressed me. First off, Aaron Glenn's defense stood out. It was constantly swarming to the ball and played with a high degree of energy.
Second, defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson has emerged as a leader. I really believe that he has the potential to be an impact player in the secondary. And, I believe that the additions of him and fellow defensive backs Cam Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley and Brian Branch have the chance to make the secondary a strength in 2023.
Third, rookie tight end Sam LaPorta continued to impress. With each passing day, he looks more and more like he has the intangibles necessary to be a No. 1 tight end in the NFL – and for a very long time.
2.) What left you scratching your head from Lions minicamp?
Booher: The flip side is that the offense struggled. In particular, I was hoping to see more from Jameson Williams. I'm not pressing the panic button quite yet, but I would've liked to have seen a better performance from the second-year wideout during minicamp.
The hope is that he will make the most of the offseason before he leaves the team to serve his suspension. The sky is the limit for him, but this is a pivotal season.
Chirco: I was disappointed with the play of two players: wideout Jameson Williams and defensive back Will Harris.
To me, Williams still needs to clearly work on his route-running and building a rapport with Lions veteran signal-caller Jared Goff.
As for Harris, he appeared to be a step or two behind his defensive back counterparts all throughout minicamp. And, as a result, he's likely fallen even further behind on the team's cornerbacks depth chart.
3.) Kerby Joseph has the potential to have a great 2023 season. What kind of stats do you see him producing this year?
Booher: I expect Kerby Joseph to contend for a spot in the Pro Bowl. The addition of the veterans in the secondary seems to have brought out his swagger and confidence.
At times last year, he let his instincts take over, and sometimes was out of position on defense. However, the stability in the back-half should allow him to take those calculated chances in 2023.
As far as a formal stats prediction, I expect him to surpass his interception total from last year. Let's go with five picks and two forced fumbles for Joseph in 2023.
Chirco: I'm all aboard the Joseph bandwagon headed into the defensive back's sophomore campaign.
The play-making safety recorded 82 total tackles, along with two forced fumbles and four interceptions, in 2022. For an encore, I believe that the Illinois product will notch 85 total tackles, three interceptions and a forced fumble this upcoming season.
© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK
4.) Who is an under-the-radar player to watch at training camp?
Booher: One player I'm really watching is Jermar Jefferson. Indications out of camp is that he seems to have worked his way back into favor with the coaches, after spending all but one game on the practice squad in 2022.
He's got the potential to be a legit contributor in Detroit's new-look running backs room. However, he'll need to remain healthy and beat out the likes of Craig Reynolds and Mohamed Ibrahim for that final spot.
That position battle, as a whole, seems to be pretty entertaining. I'm excited to watch it play out throughout training camp.
Chirco: Charles Harris. The veteran had a strong week of practice during minicamp. If he can stay healthy, maybe, just maybe, he can regain his high-level form from the 2021 campaign. During the aforementioned season, he produced a career-best 7.5 sacks in 17 games. Additionally, the year before that, he amassed three sacks.
I believe that Harris, a former first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins, will be a three-sack EDGE defender in 2023.
5.) If the Commanders asked for Romeo and Julian Okwara and a third-round pick for Chase Young, would you pull the trigger?
Booher: I think that's a little steep. Young is certainly talented, but spending that much for one guaranteed year of him is difficult to justify, given Brad Holmes' history.
Now, if he struggles this season, I could see Detroit making a run at him in the free-agent market next offseason, with hopes of salvaging his career. There's immense talent with him, but the injuries make it difficult to make a trade like that.
Chirco: I would think about it, but I would ultimately pass. Here's why: Young has played just 12 games the past seasons, and has accounted for just 1.5 sacks.
He looked like a stud during his rookie campaign, notching 7.5 sacks, 12 QB hits and four forced fumbles on his way to earning AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. He'll also be just 24 years old this upcoming season. So, he's likely got plenty of good football ahead of him.
So, I'd strongly consider making the Commanders an offer for the Ohio State product's services. However, at this present juncture, I wouldn't be willing to part with both Okwara brothers.
