The Most Intriguing Rookie Storylines Heading into Detroit Lions OTAs

The newest Detroit Lions are marching their way through their first offseason. OTAs won't begin until the end of May, but the drama is already starting to simmer.

Of course, not all storylines are created equal. There won't be a serious competition for Michael Burton's presumed roster spot so long as he takes care of business, and Laken Tomlinson should be the starting left guard come opening day.

Those two lack sizzle. They won't be listed here. But there are still quite a few stories to be written this summer. Click through to find the five most intriguing storylines of the spring.

Gabe Wright Gets off on the Right Foot

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

If his number choice is any indication, Gabe Wright isn't scared of the NFL. 

At the rookie minicamp, Wright hit the field for the first time in his new jersey, sporting the same number as a certain departed defensive tackle. He immediately set out to make his own mark. Kyle Meinke of MLive.com laid out the details here:

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Former Central Michigan tight end Deon Butler caught a pass during Detroit Lions minicamp on Saturday, and found himself streaking through the open field.

Then he was hunted down from behind by a defensive lineman.

It was, of course, No. 90.

"

The Lions have a proud tradition of finishing plays in practice. Kyle Vanden Bosch imported that type of leadership and commitment when he signed with Detroit in 2010. It appears Wright is keeping the custom alive.

Obviously, effort doesn't always equate to production. Wright still has a lot to prove. However, his initial quickness off the line should give him the jump on more plays than not, and it now looks like he'll do whatever it takes to close out a play.

Ameer Abdullah: Return Specialist?

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

While the defensive tackle was chasing players, Ameer Abdullah was tracking punts, according to the Lincoln Journal Star's Brian Christopherson:

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Lions coach Jim Caldwell said Ameer Abdullah will get a look as a punt and kick returner, in addition to running back. #Huskers

— Brian Christopherson (@HuskerExtraBC) May 2, 2015"

This isn't novel territory. There was already heavy speculation that Abdullah would get a look at the return jobs as soon as he was drafted.

There are two ways to look at this though.

Obviously, Jeremy Ross didn't do himself a lot of favors with his decisions last season. He too often fielded punts deep inside his own 10-yard line and ran out kicks that sailed toward the back of the end zone. But those mistakes are correctable, and the increased risk of injury for Abdullah might not be acceptable as his role in the offense grows.

Conversely, there's the possibility that Ross' confidence is shot. The lightning will forever be unbottled, leaving Detroit desperate to find a shot in the arm for the return game. Abdullah's blend of short-area burst and vision could be perfect for the role. 

So what will Detroit do with the 205-pound running back? There are risks and rewards to both decisions, so this one would be second-guessed should things take a bad turn.

Is Alex Carter an NFL Cornerback?

Alex Carter is unquestionably a football player. It's been apparent since he described himself to Rod Beard of The Detroit News: "I'm a big, tall, physical corner. I love to hit and tackle, make plays on the ball, come up and run support. You know, I'm just that physical presence in the defensive backfield."

The tape backs that up. Carter loves to get after guys and is physical at the point of catch. However, as PrideofDetroit.com's Alex Reno explains, there are some holes in his game too:

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Alex Carter out here getting murdered on slants. I worry about his ability to change directions quickly enough in NFL http://t.co/2AWVO6uxul

— Alex Reno (@alex_reno) May 8, 2015"

Detroit won't give up on him quickly, but hopefully Carter can start to get notes from Rashean Mathis and Darius Slay at OTAs and work on his weaknesses. Yet there's no way to know if he can develop the ability to flip his hips and change course quickly.

If not, he'll get a shot at safety. He'll likely need to add some weight to take over for James Ihedigbo, however, or risk becoming the next Don Carey.

Can Quandre Diggs Measure Up to the Competition?

Eric Gay/Associated Press

Unlike the prior three rookies, Quandre Diggs will be fighting for a roster spot right away. The Lions acknowledged its biggest defensive hole by adding plenty of competition at the slot cornerback position.

Outside players like Cassius Vaughn won't be getting any burn inside with a roster that's chock-full of nickelbacks. Nevin Lawson and Bill Bentley are both coming back from season-ending injuries, veterans Josh Wilson and Chris Owens were both signed this offseason and Diggs was taken in the sixth round. 

Diggs stands 5'9" and has a similar feisty streak to Lawson, as head coach Jim Caldwell explained to Rod Beard of The Detroit News:

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What you see with him is what you get — pretty intense guy. Always seems like he's got something to prove. Tough, hard-nosed — and that does indeed resonate with his personality and everything that he does. He's attentive, just one of those guys that's going to give you everything he's got.

"

He'll need every bit of that motivation moving forward. The coaching staff has been working him on the outside as well, but his size and style will better translate to the interior. 

It's highly unlikely that Diggs won't make the roster. He will have to earn the honor though, and here's betting his ability to mirror quicker receivers paired with his physical style and work ethic will be enough to get him over the hump.

Who Is T.J. Jones?

Uncredited/Associated Press

He has zero games or snaps logged. In fact, he didn't come off the PUP list last season, so we're making T.J. Jones a rookie for our purposes. Plus, he's too intriguing to leave off the list.

For those that don't remember much about him, here's the "Bottom Line" of Nolan Nawrocki's scouting report on NFL.com:

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Athletic, smooth-moving, polished receiver who runs crisp routes, has terrific hands and boasts NFL bloodlines. Balanced skill set, dependability and versatility will be valued at the next level, where he could be a productive No. 2 or No. 3 receiver in a sophisticated passing system. Arrow pointing up.

"

Jones isn't going to wow you with his physical prowess, but as Nawrocki pointed out, he has the hands and technique to be a perfect addition to the middle or bottom of the depth chart. He won't be the speedster that blows the top off a defense; he'll be the guy who finds the holes in the zone or runs a crisp slant and hauls in the pass time after time.

Unfortunately for Jones, he'll face even more competition than Quandre Diggs. The Lions recently added Lance Moore, who has experience in the passing system, to join a crowded locker room that includes Jeremy Ross, Corey Fuller, Ryan Broyles and Andrew Peacock.

However, Jones can count on being given a shot, and after a year on the sideline, it's probably all he wants.