Detroit Lions rookies report to Allen Park on Wednesday, with training camp starting Sunday. Here are Karsch and Anderson's Four Rookie Storylines to Watch:
1. Can Jack Campbell break the mold of an off-the-ball middle linebacker not being worthy of being drafted in the first round?
Karsch: "If you look at this position, the bar is essentially set at Luke Kuechly. You kind of have to be like that for the next decade to be worth this pick. He can’t be Jarrad Davis. He’s got to be way better than that to be worth it, and the question is, can he do it?"
Gator: "I think that Campbell should have the opportunity, if he’s billed as advertised here, to be a guy that racks up over 100 tackles this season. And I’m kind of excepting that, and maybe that’s unfair. He’s gotta win the job first. I know he’s going to be a good player. How good and how soon are the big questions."
Related
2. Can Jahmyr Gibbs break the streak of 22 Detroit Lions running backs drafted since Barry Sanders who haven't been a long-term answer at the position?
Karsch: "They just haven’t had a guy that’s been worth it or could sustain it since Barry. Can Jahmyr break the streak?"
Gator: "Can he be a Pro Bowl running back? I think he’s got that kind of potential. I expect him to be close to 1,500 total yards from scrimmage."
Related
3. Of all the rookies, Sam LaPorta has the fewest roadblocks to rise to the top of the depth chart. Question is, will he?
Gator: "He’s the guy that has the highest upside in the tight ends room. I fully expect LaPorta to have a better rookie season than T.J. Hockenson had, and I think he’s in a better situation offensively. There are lofty expectations of him because of where he was drafted (No. 34 overall). I think he’ll be very good his rookie season. ... I expect five or six touchdowns from him, 500 yards receiving and 50 receptions."
Related
4. The draft pick that has the most obstacles between him and the top of the depth chart is Brian Branch. What kind of impact will he make?
Gator: "I don’t have high expectations for him this season, I don’t expect him to play a lot. I think he’s going to be a special teams contributor and I think he’ll get his opportunities when injuries arise. I don’t expect him to be this, ‘Gotta put him on the field guy’ because of what you see in training camp. It’s tough to crack this secondary right now."
Karsch: "Look, can Brian Branch get to the top of the depth chart? I kind of hope he doesn’t. But if he does based on merit alone, holy crap is he going to be good."
Listen live to 97.1 The Ticket via:
Audacy App | Online Stream | Smart Speaker