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5 Detroit Lions Who Must Step Up During 2015 OTAs

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Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

5 Detroit Lions Who Must Step Up During 2015 OTAs

5 Detroit Lions Who Must Step Up During 2015 OTAs
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

With one week of Organized Team Activities wrapped up for the Detroit Lions, these five players will need to work harder during the next couple of weeks to earn a roster spot or starting position on the team.

5. Bill Bentley/Nevin Lawson, CB

Bill Bentley
Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

5. Bill Bentley/Nevin Lawson, CB

Bill Bentley
Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Both Bentley and Lawson suffered season-ending injuries early in 2014 and both were limited during the first week of OTAs. Unfortunately, the Lions don’t have time to wait for them to heal. Rookie Quandre Diggs was turning heads at OTAs and earned first-team reps at nickelback with starters Rashean Mathis and Darius Slay. There are five other cornerbacks vying for a roster spot, too. Lawson and Bentley will have to show more.

4. Manny Ramirez, OL

Manny Ramirez
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

4. Manny Ramirez, OL

Manny Ramirez
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Ramirez has stated that he wants to be a starter. He played for Detroit from 2007 to 2010, so he isn’t completely unfamiliar with his surroundings. He is versatile as he can play both center and guard. However, Detroit is high on Travis Swanson at center, and Larry Warford and first-round draft pick Laken Tomlinson are likely to start at guard. Ramirez would be a more than solid backup, but if he wants to start, he’ll have to stand out.

3. Jeremy Ross, WR

Jeremy Ross
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

3. Jeremy Ross, WR

Jeremy Ross
Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Ross is treading water. He has not shown the ability to be a reliable slot wide receiver and his job as a kick/punt returner may also be in question with rookie running back Ameer Abdullah possibly taking over those duties. Ross had 24 catches and one score in 2014. Although his 24 catches were a career high, it is definitely not an impressive stat for a slot. Ross must step up in OTAs; it's not even certain he’ll make the 53-man roster.

2. Brandon Pettigrew, TE

Brandon Pettigrew OTA
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

2. Brandon Pettigrew, TE

Brandon Pettigrew OTA
Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

It is difficult to decide where to begin with Pettigrew. He had 10 receptions for 70 yards last season, both of which were career lows. With Eric Ebron -- who also had a disappointing 2014 campaign -- supposedly headed for a breakout year, Pettigrew’s role as the starter is in question. Detroit will surely have them both on the field at times, but Ebron seems to be the one headed for a bigger role in 2015. Pettigrew has a lot to prove.

1. Joique Bell, RB

Joique Bell
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

1. Joique Bell, RB

Joique Bell
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

While Bell’s role is likely to remain the same with a committee approach, this is his offseason to win the leading role. Reggie Bush is gone, but the team drafted Abdullah in the second round of this past draft. Running backs drafted in Rounds 1 or 2 are expected to play a big role with their team. Abdullah is viewed by the coaching staff as a three-down back. It’s up to Bell to win the lead job.

Ryan O'Bleness is a writer for RantSports.
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