Three most interesting Lions position battles this offseason

The Lions established themselves as contenders after last year's 12-5 season. In order to take the next step, Detroit will need improvement from its defense.

Detroit's front office certainly made the defense a focus during the offseason. With a number of new additions and high draft picks, there appears to be a number of intriguing position battles on that side of the ball.

Here are three position battles to watch leading up to the 2024 season:

Linebacker

The Lions' linebacker room may be the deepest on the team with three bona fide starters in Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes and Jack Campbell. While Anzalone has one of the two starting roles locked up, the battle between Barnes and Campbell is going to be fiercely contested and should be something to keep an eye on.

Campbell being taken 18th overall in last year's draft seemed to have lit a fire under Barnes heading into his third year in the league. The duo combined for over 1,500 snaps in 2023 — Barnes at 791, Campbell at 745.

While Barnes was far more successful in pass defense — 53.2 coverage grade to Campbell's 35.3 per Pro Football Focus — Campbell excelled in the run defense — 75.8 run defense grade, which ranked 21st among all linebackers last season.

Campbell ended the season on a high, but that doesn't mean Barnes will go away lightly. The former fourth-round pick is on the final year of his rookie deal and looking to continue his development from last year.

Detroit Lions Derrick Barnes celebrates his interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. © David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

Cornerback

General manager Brad Holmes set about overhauling one of the leagues worst coverage units last season. In trading for Carlton Davis and drafting Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw in the first two rounds of the draft, he did just that.

Davis figures to be written in pen for top cornerback, while last year's second-round pick, Brian Branch, excelled in the slot corner role. That leaves the spot on the outside opposite Davis as up for grabs among the rookies.

Arnold is the obvious favorite after the Lions moved up to select him in the first round. The former Alabama corner had 13 pass breakups last year while holding opposing quarterbacks to a 50.7 QB rating. The 6-foot, 196-pound corner has the potential to make an instant impact at corner in his first year.

Rakestraw could figure into that battle as well. The Missouri corner had a 78.7 coverage grade last season but struggled with injuries throughout his college career.

Defensive end

The Lions still haven't found a suitable pass rusher opposite of Aidan Hutchinson.

Detroit brought in former Vikings edge rusher Marcus Davenport this offseason, but he brings with him a lengthy injury history that led his previous two teams to move on.

After missing out on most of the 2023 season due to injury, James Houston looks set to return. The former sixth-round pick registered a surprising eight sacks in his rookie season in 2022.

Third-year edge rusher Josh Paschall could figure into this competition if he can develop his pass-rush skills. An effective run stuffer over his first two seasons, Paschall has struggled pressuring the quarterback — just 34 pressures in 803 snaps during his first two seasons. John Cominsky, like Paschall, needs to develop his pass-rush game if he aims to see more playing time this season.