Projecting who will make Lions’ season-opening practice squad.

Training camp has arrived for the Detroit Lions. The rookies reported to the team’s Allen Park practice facility Wednesday, while the veterans will do the same Saturday.

It means it’s time to play armchair GM and predict what the Lions will look like in 2025.

Which Detroit Lions Players Must Excel at Training Camp

Training camp has arrived for the Detroit Lions. The rookies reported to the team’s Allen Park practice facility Wednesday, while the veterans will do the same Saturday.

It means it’s time to play armchair GM and predict what the Lions will look like in 2025.

To start, here is Detroit Lions On SI’s projection of who will make up the team’s 16-man practice squad to open the season.

QB Kyle Allen: Allen should be viewed as a legitimate threat to third-year pro Hendon Hooker for the No. 2 quarterback job. The well-traveled Allen, who’s primarily been a backup in his career, has had stops in Carolina, Washington, Houston, Buffalo and most recently, Pittsburgh.

I believe that Allen will give Hooker a run for his money in training camp. Yet, I ultimately believe that Hooker will emerge as the backup to Lions starting signal-caller Jared Goff.

RB Anthony Tyus III: Tyus, a local product who played at Portage Northern High School, spent his collegiate career at Northwestern (2021-2023) and Ohio (2024). In his lone season at Ohio, he rushed for 1,215 yards and nine touchdowns.

The 6-foot-1, 226-pounder is a powerful runner, and impressed this spring. With a strong showing in training camp, he should be in line for a spot on Detroit’s season-opening practice squad.

WR Tom Kennedy: Kennedy, who has become a Lions fan favorite, has consistently made strong impressions during training camp and the preseason. I don’t believe he’ll crack Detroit’s season-opening 53-man roster out of camp. However, I believe he’ll do enough this summer to earn a spot on the team’s practice squad.

WR Ronnie Bell: Bell, a University of Michigan product, has suited up for 26 total games the last two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, and has also returned 10 punts in his career.

After being released in January, Bell inked a futures contract with the Lions. Subsequently, with a strong training camp performance, he figures to be in line for a spot on the team’s season-opening practice squad.

TE Shane Zylstra: Zylstra has been a part of the Lions organization, whether as a practice squad player or a member of the active roster, each of the past four seasons. He also provides special teams value. In fact, he recorded a career-high 194 snaps on special teams last season.

I believe it’s going to be a highly competitive battle between Zylstra and Kenny Yeboah for the final spot in Detroit’s tight ends room. However, because Brad Holmes & Co. signed Yeboah early on this offseason, I believe the former N.Y. Jet has the upper hand in this competition.

OL Kayode Awosika: Awosika, an interior lineman who’s played in 36 games for Detroit the last three seasons, will receive serious consideration for a spot on the Lions’ season-opening active roster. However, I believe he will get beaten out by the likes of Dan Skipper and Giovanni Manu, and begin the 2025 campaign on Detroit’s practice squad.

CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver: Thomas-Oliver spent the majority of the 2024 campaign without an NFL team. He was a late-season addition to Detroit’s practice squad, though, and was signed to a futures contract at season’s end.