Why Ryan Broyles Has Everything to Prove in Detroit Lions' Training Camp

One player doesn't make a training camp successful, but one training camp has the power to define a career.

For the Detroit Lions, it's Ryan Broyles who must put it all on the line next month. The intriguing and injury-plagued talent is running out of time and options.

There's a ton of fan interest in Broyles, and rightfully so. Who hasn't spent an inordinate amount of time reading about or discussing Broyles' potential spot on this team? And it's mostly all due entirely to one game against the Houston Texans.

The Ceiling...

It's Week 12 of the 2012 season. The Lions hosted the Texans in an overtime thriller that broke quite a few hearts when the Lions turned the ball over twice in the extra session.

NFL Rewind

But Broyles was a shining example of what went right. The rookie showed off nice moves and an understanding of how to get open, finishing with six receptions for 126 yards.

His 40-yarder in overtime displayed a route break off that left the defensive back stumbling to catch up. As Matthew Stafford broke through the left side of the pocket, Broyles recognized the situation and made the decision for a quick cut, giving him the separation needed.

NFL Rewind

It's why Lions fans hold out hope that Broyles has recovered and is ready. That play combined the athletic and mental abilities needed to be a professional receiver.

Although, there was one moment in that game that could be described as un-Broyles-like.

There was a beautiful double move to set up a 10-yard touchdown toss, but Broyles wasn't able to hang on even before the safety's hand arrived.

To be fair, the game also featured another anomaly: a Jason Hanson miss in overtime.

...is on Fire.

Paula Pasche of the Oakland Press recently noted that "[i]t appears [Broyles has] regained his speed and his explosiveness." 

That's good. Because whether he's healthy or not, he'll have to walk through the fire of a position battle to stick to this roster.

Nobody set themselves apart in 2014. Jeremy Ross won the third spot on the depth chart, but he finished with 24 catches. Corey Fuller had 14. Lance Moore matched Fuller's mark while playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in a season that ended with a healthy scratch in the playoffs.

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

But Broyles couldn't get off the bench last season, logging 35 snaps, per Pro Football Focus.

The Lions also welcome T.J. Jones to his first training camp, and Andrew Peacock to his second. Both are considered afterthoughts at this point, but Jones logged 11 total touchdowns his senior year with 1,108 receiving yards. His hands and after-the-catch skills could set him apart from the pack.

Every one of these guys has a lot to prove in order to extend his career, whether on the roster or possibly on the practice squad. But like the more veteran Moore, Broyles is operating without a safety net, making his struggle all the more real.

There is No Water.

Broyles is facing his football mortality.

The Lions won't keep him on the 53-man roster with an eye toward the future. Broyles will be 28 years old next offseason when his contract expires, meaning the investment either matures or is dumped.

And his practice squad eligibility has been exhausted without him ever becoming a member of said unit. If Broyles doesn't at least put together some impressive tape this preseason, he could risk falling out of the NFL entirely. 

Luckily for Broyles, it all rests in his hands.

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.