Detroit Lions Training Camp News Shifts NFL Player Prop Odds at Michigan Sportsbooks

As the summer comes to a close, Detroit pro sports fans eagerly await the upcoming football season after enduring a series of disappointing events.

The commencement of training camp for the Detroit Lions occurred last week, and as of Monday, practices are now accessible to the general public.

Amidst a surge of hope and positivity surrounding the Lions, here are some updates from the initial days of camp.

Lions’ season odds improving

The general consensus among NFL critics is that the Detroit Lions had a successful NFL Draft last spring, which has translated into a promising start to their training camp.

Although the Lions are not expected to win the Super Bowl, their chances of making the playoffs are on the rise.

This is the Lions’ odds at the start of the NFL Draft according to BetMGM Michigan.

• Super Bowl champion: +15000
• NFC champion: +6600
• NFC North champion: +1200
• The season win total is set at 6.5, with the odds of going over set at +120 and the odds of going under set at -150.
• The probability of them making the playoffs is +500.

As of August 1st at BetMGM, these are the current odds for Dan Campbell’s team.

• Super Bowl champion: +12500
• NFC champion: +5000
• NFC North champion: +850
• The season wins for this team are set at 6.5, with the odds of going over being -125 and the odds of going under being +105.
• Is it likely that they will qualify for the playoffs with odds of +370?

The Lions’ outlook for the 2024 NFL Season has undeniably improved throughout the offseason.

Michigan sports bettors should take note of the upcoming debut on HBO’s Hard Knocks on Tuesday, Aug. 9, and consider checking the latest odds before they potentially decrease further.

Jared Goff looking more comfortable

There is a general consensus that the Lions have bolstered their offensive arsenal for quarterback Jared Goff, who is embarking on his second season with the team in Detroit.

Last season, Goff recorded a total of 3,245 passing yards and 19 touchdowns, along with eight interceptions. However, his average yards per pass attempt stood at a mere 6.6 yards, indicating the need for improvement in the upcoming year.

Amon-Ra St. Brown proved himself as a promising receiver towards the end of his first year in the league. Additionally, the Lions added DJ Chark to their roster during the offseason, with hopes of incorporating Josh Reynolds for explosive plays. In training camp, Goff appears to be displaying increased confidence and competence as a leader on the field.

According to John Maakaron, publisher of Sports Illustrated’s FanNation team site All Lions, Goff appears to be more at ease leading the offense. The coaching staff has dedicated the entire offseason to refining his skills and identifying successful aspects from his time with the Los Angeles Rams. With reliable options like Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds at his disposal, Goff should have a decent arsenal of trusted weapons. Additionally, Quintez Cephus and Trinity Benson will fiercely compete throughout training camp for opportunities and to climb up the depth chart.

At present, FanDuel Sportsbook MI has set Goff’s passing yards over/under for the season at 3,600.5, while his passing touchdowns over/under stands at 22.5. The odds for both markets, over and under, are listed at -112.

Aidan Hutchinson looking like a top pick at Lions training camp

The addition of Aidan Hutchinson to the Lions’ defense has sparked excitement among football fans in Michigan.

The second overall selection in the 2024 draft is anticipated to play a prominent role in the defense from the start. With only 30 sacks in the 2021 season, Detroit ranked third lowest in the league.

So far, Hutchinson appears to perfectly fit the role.

According to Maakaron, Hutchinson is under a significant amount of pressure due to his draft position. During the early stages of training camp, he has shown great adaptability and skill in employing different pass rush techniques to succeed in his plays. In fact, he impressed season-ticket holders recently by outperforming Penei Sewell using a swim move.

Hutchinson is currently tied as the favorite with Kayvon Thibodeaux of the New York Giants to win Defensive Rookie of the Year this season, as listed at +550 on DraftKings Sportsbook MI.

D’Andre Swift bulks up

When D’Andre Swift is on the field for the Lions, he has shown to be a valuable asset.

The issue lies in Swift’s persistent injuries, which have caused him to miss several games in both of his initial two seasons.

In order to tackle this offseason, Swift took the initiative to hit the gym and focus on bulking up.

According to Maakaron, the running back for Detroit has dedicated himself to intense training in the gym during the offseason. The coaching staff has encouraged him to prioritize his health, and as a result, Swift has noticeably gained muscle mass. Based on his performance in the first week of training camp, it is evident that Detroit’s offense will greatly benefit from incorporating their running backs in the passing game. Although Swift may not carry the ball more than 20 times every week, having a strong and healthy offensive line to run behind will consistently yield positive results.

Swift, having demonstrated his ability to catch passes from the backfield, has amassed 809 receiving yards in his first two years, in addition to his 1,138 rushing yards.

For this season, FanDuel has set the over/under for Swift’s rushing yards at 850.5 and the over/under for his rushing touchdowns at 6.5.

Will Harris is making plays daily at Lions camp

For the Lions to make strides this season, a significant enhancement in their pass defense is essential.

The Lions surrendered 31 passing touchdowns and allowed opposing quarterbacks to achieve a rating of 101.1 last season.

While injuries were indeed a concern in 2021, Campbell is actively working on adapting the secondary.

Will Harris, who secured 93 tackles from the safety position, came in second on the team’s leaderboard last year. As he enters his fourth year in the league, Harris is transitioning to cornerback in 2024. Having received considerable acclaim from the coaching staff previously, Harris is smoothly adapting to his new role.

“This offseason, the coaching staff made the official decision to change Harris’ position. As Jeff Okudah gradually returns and shares reps with Harris, Aaron Glenn, the defensive coordinator, is on the lookout for a player to secure a starting spot alongside Amani Oruwariye,” stated Maakaron. “Despite initially struggling as a safety, Harris has shown his skills by making plays, even when matched up against tight end T.J. Hockenson. In the first week of camp, Harris has proven himself capable at cornerback.”

Lions undrafted free agent Demetrius Taylor making waves

The addition of undrafted free agents can consistently prove to be valuable for any team.

Demetrius Taylor, a defensive lineman hailing from Appalachian State, is already showing promising signs of making a difference in the early stages of camp.

Taylor, with a height of 6 feet 1 inch and a weight of 295 pounds, is attracting the gaze of spectators during practice.

Maakaron expressed that Taylor has been consistently making impactful plays while working with the third-team defense. He believes that the emergence of this young player can greatly benefit the team, especially in their search for playmakers on the defensive line.

The coaching staff is also taking notice of his efforts.

Head coach Dan Campbell expressed his admiration for the player, stating, “He continues to impress us with his consistent growth and relentless determination. I can confidently say that he has been one of the standout performers, with defensive line coach Todd Wash acknowledging his remarkable progress since spring.”

On Friday, August 12, Taylor and the rest of the Lions will have their inaugural preseason game. The Lions will be hosting the Atlanta Falcons at 6 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcasted on the NFL Network.