By Blessing 
Lions Training Camp Day 6: Pads On, Stakes High, and Intensity Through the Roof
Day 6 of Lions training camp brought serious energy as the team strapped on pads for the second time—and fans definitely felt the buzz during “Back Together Weekend.” This wasn’t just another day of drills. With big names returning to the field like linebacker Alex Anzalone and rookie standout Tyleik Williams, it felt more like the Lions were putting on a show.
The pace? Blazing. The energy? Sky-high. And though a couple moments got testy, the session stayed sharp and purposeful—exactly what you want to see from a group hungry to make noise in 2025.
In this breakdown, I’m sharing extra positional insights that build on the great coverage from Pride of Detroit’s Jeremy Reisman and Erik Schlitt. Be sure to check out Erik’s full Day 6 observations and their recap video for more context.
Defensive Line: The Front is Starting to Look Scary
Something is brewing on the interior—and it’s not just potential, it’s real power. Veteran DJ Reader and rookie Tyleik Williams are starting to look like the kind of pairing that can dominate the line of scrimmage. They bring a blend of athleticism and brute strength that forces offenses to commit extra blockers.
Not only are they clogging up the run, but they’re creating chaos. One-on-one? Good luck. That kind of disruption could create real opportunities for edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson—and allow DC Kelvin Sheppard to dial up exotic blitz packages straight out of Steve Spagnuolo or Lou Anarumo’s playbooks.
On Saturday, Reader and Williams completely choked out the first-team run game. They were hitting gaps before the plays even developed. Multiple blitzes saw six or more defenders flying in, collapsing the pocket before the quarterback could blink. One exciting wrinkle featured Williams lining up as a stand-up edge rusher—before looping inside on a stunt.
And Hutchinson? He was in Terminator mode. Blowing up runs, crashing from the backside, and getting to the quarterback untouched more than once. He closed practice by running sideline-to-sideline in pursuit drills—and several teammates followed his lead. Leadership on full display.
Marcus Davenport was another monster. He had a few moments where he completely overpowered Dan Skipper with raw strength, bull-rushing him straight into the backfield. His versatility gives the Lions more tools to play with, whether outside or kicked inside.
While the frontline looks lethal, the second wave is stepping up too. Pat O’Connor, Chris Smith, Keith Cooper Jr., and especially Nate Lynn flashed against the second-string O-line. Until Alim McNeill, Josh Paschal, and Mekhi Wingo return, they’ll be asked to hold the fort—and they looked ready.
Offensive Line: Settling Into Something That Works
For three practices in a row, Tate Ratledge held down right guard while Graham Glasgow played center—and it’s beginning to look like the best combo heading into Week 1. Glasgow might be a bit better at guard, and Ratledge could have long-term value as a center, but for now, stability is key.
On Saturday, Ratledge showed flashes—pancaking Tyleik Williams on one play, then false-starting the next. Growing pains, sure. But keeping him at guard, next to Penei Sewell, lets him grow without piling on too much too soon.
Long-term, he may still take some center reps in preseason. That could set him up as Glasgow’s backup down the road, depending on how the loaded interior battle shakes out. Kayode Awosika, Netane Muti, Trystan Colon, Kingsley Eguakun, Michael Niese, and Colby Sorsdal are all in the mix. On Saturday, Awosika, Muti, and Colon all looked solid pulling or hitting the second level. Eguakun also held his ground well in 1-on-1 pass sets.
But there’s a problem at tackle depth. If Taylor Decker goes down, things could get rough. Dan Skipper struggled against Hutchinson and Davenport—two top-tier rushers, yes, but the drop-off was clear. Giovanni Manu remains a developmental project, which is understandable given his competition level last season. There’s a chance Jamarco Jones could slide into a key swing tackle spot. While Skipper is valuable as a sixth O-lineman, Jones may be better equipped to play full-time snaps if needed.
Linebacker: Jack Campbell Looks Reborn
It was the first real chance to see Year 3 Jack Campbell in full motion—and he looked revamped. Quicker, stronger, and more decisive. He burst into the backfield a few times and made a big impact on blitzes.
Seeing Alex Anzalone back was a welcome sight, even in limited action. Derrick Barnes got reps at Will linebacker and looked sharp, reminding everyone of his downhill ability. He even lit up a blitz where he checked Jahmyr Gibbs but wisely pulled up before contact with Goff.
Zach Cunningham and Grant Stuard were everywhere for the second-team unit. Cunningham looked steady and smart, with one toss of a running back that showed rare lateral juice. Stuard? He was a heat-seeking missile, blowing up blocks and delivering clean, violent hits. He’s not just a special teams guy anymore—he’s fighting for more.
Tight End: Zylstra Making Quiet Moves
Sam LaPorta looked smooth as ever, catching a mid-field pass and turning it into a long gain with slick yards after catch.
But Shane Zylstra might be the one quietly climbing the depth chart. He worked with both the first and second units, and OC John Morton is clearly scheming ways to use him. Zylstra hauled in multiple short passes near the boundary, proving reliable and smart in tight areas.
Defensive Backs: Arnold, Robertson, Bootle Stepping Up
Rookie corner Terrion Arnold continues to impress. He shadowed both Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond in stride, rarely allowing space and hardly getting targeted—a big sign of respect.
With D.J. Reed exiting, Amik Robertson stepped in and moved around—outside, slot, even box duties. Rock Ya-Sin rotated in at outside corner as well.
One name to watch: Dicaprio Bootle. He popped on Saturday—blowing up a swing pass and showing physicality on several tackles. He’s making a strong case to stick.
Safety Erik Hallett earned a very NSFW shout from DC Sheppard after slicing through a block and dropping a runner in the backfield. Rookie Loren Strickland followed up with back-to-back tone-setting hits of his own—one on the sideline and another where he stood a runner up cold at the line.
Final Thoughts:
Day 6 wasn’t just about contact—it was about conviction. From rising rookies to vets finding rhythm, the Lions look increasingly like a team with vision, depth, and something to prove.