Detroit Lions OTA Standouts Worth Keeping an Eye on This Offseason

Detroit Lions cornerback Darius Slay foreshadowed his breakout season with a great showing in last year's OTAs. Now, five other Lions are hoping to take the same approach and make these early practices a launching pad for the 2015 season. 

Obviously, we should take all offseason reports with a grain of salt. The players aren't sporting anything pad-wise other than helmets and cleats, which is why the coaching staff holds starting jobs in trust until at least August.

So while we'll keep our ears open for great performances, the better angle is to look for little things. Like how is a player adjusting to a scheme? Does he look comfortable moving around the field? And in some situations, just the fact that a player is on the field is noteworthy.

OL Laken Tomlinson

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Detroit's first-round pick is standing out, but it's not for the reasons one would assume.

Often, first-rounders are physical specimens with unlimited potential in the mold of a Ziggy Ansah or Vic Beasley. Laken Tomlinson (6'3", 323 lbs) doesn't fit that stereotype. While he isn't a slouch, Tomlinson is becoming better known for his brains instead of his brawn.

New teammate Larry Warford told Justin Rogers of MLive.com that Tomlinson is "ridiculously smart," adding that "[o]nce you get the playbook, everything comes slow for you and you can execute at a high level."

Considering the Lions' thick playbook and complicated scheme, Tomlinson's intelligence could turn out to be his biggest asset—especially since it's apparent that Detroit won't be handing him the job at left guard, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press:

"

More OTA impressions: Manny Ramirez took 1 reps at LG ahead of Laken Tomlinson; Swanson was at C. Calvin Johnson is still pretty damn good

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 27, 2015"

And yes, I used that tweet as an occasion to add one Lion you won't find on this list because who doesn't enjoy a reminder about how good Calvin Johnson is when healthy?

WR Ryan Broyles

Duane Burleson/Associated Press

Ryan Broyles might have the best fan-to-catch ratio ever. The amount of support the NCAA's former all-time leading receiver gets would turn Tim Tebow green with envy.

Unlike that last sentence, all that admiration isn't devoid of reason. Broyles has faced an incredible amount of injury adversity. But since people remember when he went off against the Houston Texans for 126 yards in 2012, it leaves them wondering how high Broyles' ceiling can climb.

Well, according to Michael Rothstein, they won't have to wait much longer to find out. The ESPN beat reporter described the unique situation of a fully functioning Broyles here:

"

Teammates noticed a difference. In years past, receivers asked him how he was feeling or told him he looked a little bit injured coming off the field or after running a route.

His two torn ACLs and ruptured Achilles that took all or part of his final year in college and first two NFL seasons are now healed. The post-route conversation is either constructive or a simple "good route" instead of a constant query on his health status.

"

Head coach Jim Caldwell prides himself on his "best player will play" philosophy. There's a lot of competition at wide receiver for Detroit, but Broyles has the talent to beat out all but the top two. Now it appears his body is willing to let him capitalize on that potential.

CB Bill Bentley

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Cornerback Bill Bentley, who was drafted one round after Ryan Broyles, has endured a similar journey in his short-lived career.

Bentley has only been healthy enough to play in 18 games through his first three years. Durability is as much a concern for him as any other player on the roster, and he'll need to survive the offseason in good shape if he wants a roster spot. 

So far, so good, according to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com. Bentley is thankful to participate, even if it is on a limited basis, and is converting his gratitude into motivation:

"

You have to appreciate every moment you come out on this field. Don’t take it for granted. Every rep. Even when I’m tired, just go hard. I don’t feel sorry for myself at any point, even when I’m gasping for air, just because I’m out here doing it. When it gets taken away you just feel lonely and like you don’t have anybody.

"

This is a great sign for Detroit, a team that desperately needs to find competent slot cornerbacks. Bentley was able to win the job last year but went down in the season opener. His replacement, Nevin Lawson, only lasted another week before succumbing to a nasty dislocated foot.

And while this is an improvement for Bentley, he still hasn't been able to take part in team drills, leaving the door open for some of his competitors to get a foot up in the race for his former gig. He beat out a talented young man last year. Now, he'll have to do it again while one soaks up all of those first-team reps.

CB Quandre Diggs

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

You better believe Quandre Diggs (5'9", 196 lbs) isn't spending those reps we just discussed feeling sorry for Bill Bentley. In fact, I would advise you to bet heavily that his brother, Quentin Jammer, who played 12 years in the league, is telling Diggs to exploit this opportunity.

Also, if you find someone taking that bet, please let me know. I want in on that sweet action.

Diggs shouldn't lack for motivation either. Despite his easily apparent talent, he slid to the sixth round. Defensive coordinator Teryl Austin explained to Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com why Diggs fell so far and why the former Longhorn could be the steal of Day 3:

"

He’s not going to have the measurables that we like. He doesn’t have the length, he doesn’t have the height, but what he does have is a good understanding of football. He makes quick reactions, he has good eyes, good hands, good feet. That’s what you need as a defensive back.

"

Austin went on to add that he's "pleased with where he is right now.” Again, that's another bit of great news for the Lions since opponents scorched them repeatedly at the position in 2014.

As for Diggs, he needs to keep taking advantage of the reps coaches give him because this competition will only grow fiercer as the months tick away.

DT Caraun Reid

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

Everyone outside of the Lions' kingdom is sure that Detroit's downgrade at defensive tackle will be its undoing. It was the major reason Peter King cited when he ranked the Lions 17th in his MMQB power rankings.

But he wasn't entirely negative. King did share that "[t]he Lions think he’s got a chance to contribute prominently in their defensive-front rotation."

Well, that seems to be a popular opinion right now. There's a picture on the team's website of Reid standing next to Haloti Ngata. While it's obvious that Ngata has about 35 pounds on him, it's also obvious that the Princeton grad hit the weight room with a vengeance.

Teryl Austin noticed and told Justin Rogers of MLive.com that "[Reid]'s trained really hard, he’s in really good shape. He looks good right now. Obviously, we’ll have to wait and see once we get to pads where we are, but I like what he’s done so far."

The defensive tackle snaps will be similar to a goldfish in a bowl; they'll grow to their surroundings because there are no sure things past Ngata. If Reid proves ready to take over a large role, the Lions will happily hand it over.

All advanced stats, grades and positional rankings are courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

Brandon Alisoglu is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist who has written about the Lions on multiple sites. He also co-hosts a Lions-centric podcast, Lions Central Radio. Yell at him on Twitter about how wrong he is @BrandonAlisoglu.