1.) Are you concerned about a sophomore slump for TE Sam LaPorta?

Christian Booher: It’s possible to observe a decline in output in the second year whenever a rookie enjoys the kind of season that LaPorta had the previous year. His powers won’t come as a surprise to opponents because he will be well-known in league circles.

But as long as LaPorta stays healthy, I believe the Lions’ offense will benefit greatly from his contributions. He’s strong, reliable, and adept at catching passes. From a statistical standpoint, the stats might not be exactly the same as they were the previous year, but I have no doubt that LaPorta will escape a sophomore slump.

Vito Chirco: I’m not at this particular moment. There doesn’t seem to be any cause for concern because he was such a stud last year. He was the most dependable target for Jared Goff aside from Amon-Ra St. Brown. He also took the league by storm, breaking the rookie record for catches in a single season (86), as has been noted numerous times.

He won’t be able to evade notice as readily and will undoubtedly be the subject of greater attention. But I don’t believe it will affect LaPorta. I firmly believe that he is that talented, and that he will continue to demonstrate this during the 2024 campaign.

2.) Who are you more confident will develop: Brodric Martin or Giovanni Manu?

Booher:Martin seems to be the most likely player to be more effective for the Lions in 2024. Martin won’t be under as much pressure to play every down for the Lions defense because the team acquired some insurance in DJ Reader. He may still be a useful rotational player, in my opinion.

Based on his physical attributes, I continue to believe that Manu has a greater ceiling. His developmental curve appears to be a little bit steeper, in my opinion. Manu won’t be required to do as much in his rookie season because the Lions have so much skill along the offensive line.

Chirco: It’s difficult to say. Even if Manu is a novice, I’m going to go with him for the time being. The British Columbia native is an enormously athletic offensive lineman who weighs 352 pounds and stands 6 feet 7 inches. On his pro day, he recorded a 33.5-inch vertical and a 4.96 40-yard sprint. Additionally, he will gain knowledge from the Pro Bowl trio of linemen (Frank Ragnow, Penei Sewell, and Kevin Zeitler) and offensive line coach Hank Fraley of the Lions. Along with fellow seasoned linemen Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow, Manu is in good hands with those guys. All of this, in my opinion, will help Manu become a more proficient reserve lineman and reduce his learning curve.

3.) What player for the Lions needs to shine most at training camp?

Booher:I will select Levi Onwuzurike. The defensive lineman has a chance to establish a place for himself, in my opinion, but he has to show the coaching staff what he can do before entering the last year of his rookie contract. He needs to establish a role for himself because the Lions have depth on the inside.

The way the coaching staff handled Onwuzurike during the spring exercises showed that they still had a lot of faith in him. A remarkable tale would ensue if he succeeds, considering the hardships he faced in the initial phases of his profession.

Chirco: Nate Sudfeld is my choice. He’s had to listen to endless tales throughout the spring about Hendon Hooker’s development as Jared Goff’s backup. In addition, Hooker is the clear leader in the locker room to start training camp as the Lions’ number-two quarterback.

Thus, Sudfeld needs to have a fantastic camp if he hopes to have any chance of overtaking Hooker in the depth chart. Is he able to do that now? The short answer is: We’ll have to wait and see.

4.) Which Lions player would you like most to appear as a guest on our podcast? 

Booher: I think hearing from kicker Jake Bates would be fascinating. His narrative is particularly distinctive because he started his collegiate career as a soccer player and never tried to make a field goal. He did, however, rapidly rise to prominence as one of the Michigan Panthers’ most well-liked UFL players, and he currently has a two-year contract with the Lions.

Bates might tell listeners what it took to get to where he is in his work, so I think it would be beneficial to get to know him a little in that style.

Chirco: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, who is the team’s top defensive player, is my choice. He just strikes me as a laid-back, cool guy with whom you could easily grab a beer and strike up a discussion. In addition, Hutchinson’s connections to the University of Michigan would make him an ideal guest for the podcast in terms of ratings. “Hutch” is a visitor who I don’t think you could go wrong with.

5.) Could you see safety Justin Simmons being successful in Detroit’s defense?

Booher: Indeed. As evidenced by his interception statistics, I believe Simmons possesses excellent intuition. The Lions’ defensive linemen are drawn to his physicality as a player.

Although I’m not positive if Simmons will play for the Lions in the end, I believe he would fit in well and be a valuable addition. As things stand, the Lions lack depth, so this would be a useful addition.

Chirco: Not at all?This past season, Simmons was a member of the second team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection, demonstrating his versatility as a pass and run stopper. The fact that Simmons, who is starting his tenth NFL season, has experience would also help the Lions’ young safety group.

I support the Lions adding the current free agent before training camp, as you can see.