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Detroit Lions 2015 Training Camp Profile: OG Laken Tomlinson

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Detroit Lions 2015 Training Camp Profile OG Laken Tomlinson

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Lions traded back five spots to draft offensive guard Laken Tomlinson out of Duke at No. 28 overall earlier this year. Tomlinson was a four-year starter for the Blue Devils, playing in every game from 2011 to 2014, following a redshirt season in 2010. He was selected as an Associated Press first-team All-American in 2014, as well as first-team All-ACC.

The Lions are expecting Tomlinson to start right away opposite of Larry Warford. Tomlinson is likely to play left guard, while Warford stays on the right side. Ironically enough, Manny Ramirez – who was sent back to Detroit in the Draft Day trade with the Denver Broncos – could challenge Tomlinson for the starting spot. Ramirez can also challenge second-year player Travis Swanson for the starting spot at center. Although it is expected for both Tomlinson and Swanson to start, with Ramirez providing a veteran presence as a backup.

Tomlinson is 6-foot-3, 323 pounds with good power. He was outstanding in pass protection during his college career, not allowing a single sack in his last two seasons at Duke. Quarterback Matthew Stafford will appreciate that. However, Detroit seems to want to put more of an emphasis on the running game in 2015. Tomlinson fits that bill as well.

Let’s look at the facts: The team drafted Tomlinson, while also trading for Ramirez in the first round of the draft. Running back Ameer Abdullah was selected in the second round, fullback Michael Burton was (surprisingly) taken in the fifth round and massive 6-foot-7 tackle Corey Robinson was added for depth in the seventh round. The Lions ranked just 28th in rushing last season, so the coaching staff and front office knew it needed to improve. Tomlinson will definitely help this cause.

Tomlinson is an intelligent player. His four years of starting experience and 3,962 career snaps played will help his game transition into the pros more smoothly than rookies who had less playing time in college. He was also a four-time Academic All-American from 2011 through 2014. Needless to say, he is smart both on and off the field. In fact, Warford was recently quoted as saying that Tomlinson does not make a lot of mental mistakes, which is unheard of for rookies.

It will be interesting to see if Tomlinson can cement himself into the starting role during training camp, or if he struggles and is passed up by somebody like Ramirez. With that said, Tomlinson’s intelligence, awareness and college starting experience should all work together to earn him the nod. It will certainly be an intriguing position battle to keep an eye on during camp, but expect Tomlinson to be the starting left guard come Week 1.

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