10 things I learned from Lions minicamp

Football was back in Detroit last week. The Lions held a mandatory minicamp that saw almost perfect attendance and welcomed back several vets to the action on the field that we haven’t seen in some time.

Three days of minicamp isn’t nearly long enough to jump to profound conclusions. The players weren’t in pads and much of the action was little more than walkthrough pace. But there were still a lot of important things I picked up during the three days in Allen Park.

Here are my top takeaways I brought home with me from Detroit Lions minicamp.

Backup QB will be an ongoing struggle/battle

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

The Lions brought back both Tim Boyle and David Blough from last year to back up starting QB Jared Goff. Boyle and Blough alternated both taking impressive reps with the second team and looking like they shouldn’t be above the practice squad on a valid NFL roster.

Blough was fantastic in the first minicamp practice, working primarily behind the second-string OL and with more experienced receivers. When Boyle got that advantage on Wednesday, he looked markedly better than his dismal Tuesday. Both struggled on Thursday.

There has been no inclination from the Lions that they have any interest in bringing in outside competition, so it’s the Blough vs. Boyle battle for the rest of the summer. If minicamp–and last year–is any indication, the winner will be the one who is less odious in the offense.

The Will Harris move to CB should be permanent

I’ve been a frequent and vocal critic of safety Will Harris since the Lions drafted him in the third round back in 2019. So when I say I’m legitimately impressed with Harris and his work at outside cornerback, it means something.

Harris took most of the first-team reps opposite Amani Oruwariye at outside CB while Jeff Okudah, Jerry Jacobs and Ifeatu Melifonwu all recover from injuries. Harris’ speed, field sense and mano-a-mano mindset…