Tuesday open thread: Which Detroit Lions player has the most to gain from training camp?

We’re just over a week until the start of Detroit Lions training camp, as rookies are set to report to Allen Park on Saturday with veterans to follow a few days later. Soon, things will kick into overdrive here as we’ll have actual things to talk about, instead of silly name polls or annoying ESPN lists. But there’s still some previewing to do before we get there.

Training camps are not the same for each player. For some, it can be the difference between an NFL career and searching for a new line of work. For others, it may mean winning a starting job or being designated as a special teamer. Some are just freshening up their skills as they prepare for a role they’ve been locked into since the beginning of the offseason.

The Lions keep touting their “chip on the shoulder” mentality, which could mean most players are coming into training camp with something to prove. But which player has the most to prove?

Today’s Question of the Day is:

Which Lions player has the most to gain from the Lions’ 2021 training camp?

My answer: Like I said at the top, plenty of players have a lot to prove. Jared Goff could go a long ways in having his teammates, coaches and fans believe in him after a rough past two years in Los Angeles. Detroit’s receiving corps is looking to find contributors both in the short and long terms.

But I think the player with the most to gain in training camp in Jeff Okudah. While I don’t necessarily think his starting job is in danger, the pressure is on for him to bounce back after a hugely disappointing rookie season. He’s talking the talk, and he appears to have done extensive work this offseason. But that needs to translate to the field in a hurry, and given Detroit’s questionable receiving corps, Okudah should have a fantastic camp.

If he struggles in camp and preseason, not only will the doubters grow louder, but you’d have to start being concerned about Okudah’s confidence.

But if Aaron Glenn and Aubrey Pleasant are as good as advertised as defensive backs coaches, Okudah could take a big jump in Year 2. With a strong training camp, he could carry that over to the regular season and, hopefully, put any doubts to rest.

Your turn.