Lions' second-, third-year players among minicamp standouts

Like every season, the Detroit Lions won't truly know who they are until the pads start popping during training camp next month.

Still, after NFL free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft, the Lions' roster has changed and Detroit and Dan Campbell have gotten a bit of a look at its 2026 squad throughout OTAs and its minicamp.

"(Jake) Bates has done a hell of a job and (Jack) Fox. I like where those guys are at to this point. I feel big improvement," Campbell joked when asked if anybody has really stood out throughout its offseason or has looked better than the Lions thought they might be.

While Campbell didn't list any players specifically, he did point to Detroit's second- and third-year players as Lions that made jumps throughout this offseason.

"It's hard to really answer. There's a number of guys that, particularly the young guys, you just want to see, knowing what it is, if there's a step in their growth, there's a little more maturity, there's a little more urgency. And I have felt that from some of our young guys. Guys that we're going to have to count on or we need to count on. Now those guys also know they're competing, too. Nothing's a shoo-in. But, I like where a number of those guys have gone, and particularly our second-year players, third-year players, I do feel some growth in that regard. This time of year, that's all you can ask for," Campbell said.

The Lions' group of second-year players includes defensive tackle Tyleik Williams, offensive guard Tate Ratledge, wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa, offensive lineman Miles Frazier, edge rusher Ahmed Hassanein, Dan Jackson and Dominic Lovett, wide receiver Jackson Meeks, tight end Zach Horton, running back Kye Robichaux, guard Mason Miller and safety Loren Strickland.

Detroit's third-year players includes cornerback Ennis Rakestraw, offensive lineman Giovanni Manu, running back Sione Vaki, defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo, offensive guard Christian Mahogany and long snapper Hogan Hatten.

Williams, Mahogany and Ratledge have already carved out starting roles for themselves and TeSlaa figures to take another leap in 2026.

As Detroit navigates life with a number of its stars under long-term, big-money deals, the Lions need younger pieces on its roster to continue demanding snaps and blending youth alongside its veteran core.

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This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions' second-, third-year players among minicamp standouts