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Ryan Broyles is entering his fourth season with the Lions. Could it be his last?

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

ALLEN PARK -- All is quiet on the Detroit Lions front, which is exactly what you want this time of year. If you're in the news, it's probably for all the wrong reasons.

See: Patriots, New England.

But OTAs do begin next week, which marks the first time the rookies will be on the field with veterans. It'll mark the debut for a guy like Lance Moore, who was signed last week and could push Ryan Broyles for a job.

And on that note, off we go:

Q: Which veterans have the most to lose in OTAs? -- mik

A: Excellent question, because there are a few, starting with Jeremy Ross.

He isn't much of a receiver -- he caught just 24 balls last year, despite playing more reps than every wideout except Golden Tate. His primary value is on special teams, but he was so ineffective there last year that Detroit has spent much of the offseason scouring the country for replacements.

The first thing Martin Mayhew did after selecting Ameer Abdullah in the second round of the draft was note his abilities on special teams. Hint, hint.

If Abdullah wins the return jobs, Ross, who isn't guaranteed a cent this year, is probably out. But he's not the only one on notice. He's not even the only receiver.

Ryan Broyles is facing a critical offseason as well. The former second-round pick missed 16 games his first two seasons in the league due to major leg injuries, then when he was finally healthy in 2015, he was a healthy scratch for all but three games.

Coach Jim Caldwell has said several times he loves Broyles' game, and thinks he could contribute this year. But the problem is Caldwell has also said Broyles doesn't play because Golden Tate fills virtually the same role in the offense, and in case you hadn't noticed, Tate is still on the roster.

So it's hard to see where exactly Broyles fits in -- if he fits in at all.

It's a numbers game, and Broyles could very well find himself on the wrong side of it. Detroit returns everybody from last season, plus added Lance Moore in free agency and gets back TJ Jones from injury.

There are five, maybe six jobs to split between Calvin Johnson, Tate, Ross, Corey Fuller, Moore, Broyles and Jones. Not to mention recent signees like Jarred Haggins and Erik Lora.

The other spot to watch is nickelback, where Detroit has added a boatload of guys to challenge Bill Bentley and Nevin Lawson. That includes Josh Wilson, whom some believe could be the leader to start here.

The Lions also drafted Quandre Diggs and Alex Carter, then touted both of their abilities to play the nickel. So Bentley is another veteran who could find himself on that roster bubble.

Q: How many RBs + FB will the Lions carry and will it be by committee? -- Jeremy

A: It'll be about five, give or take. Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah and Michael Burton are basically locks, and it would be a total shock if Theo Riddick weren't in that group as well.

Caldwell has already said he expects Riddick to be a bigger part of the fold this year. But I think it could end up being mostly as a pass-catcher. I could see a scenario where many of his reps came out of the slot.

Think of it this way: Detroit's running game was awful last year, finishing 28th. Reggie Bush struggled with ankle injuries for a couple months. And the Lions still gave Riddick only 20 touches on the ground.

If Detroit didn't think Riddick could help on the ground under those circumstances, I have a hard time seeing how it happens this year after adding Abdullah. Unless Riddick totally remakes his game, which I guess is possible. I'm just not banking on it.

That's one fullback, and three tailbacks locked up. That leaves about one spot for some combination of George Winn, Zach Zenner and Desmond Martin.

The Lions are looking for a makeover on special teams, and I'm betting the guy who wins that last job is a major contributor there.

Q: Riddick is being included as a "lock" to make the roster. While I think this is probably true, if he continues to show his basic value as a pass-catcher only, instead of runner going through the preseason, wouldn't it be wise to give the third RB slot to a guy who can actually run the ball? Seems like we got a few candidates to catch the ball out of the slot. Ameer and Bell would be enough of a threat in a two back set to keep the defense honest in my opinion. I like the recent trend of a meritocracy and think that this might affect Riddick if he doesn't improve his running. Thoughts? -- screenhit

A: That's a well-put question, and I don't totally disagree. I think Riddick would help solidify his place on the team if he could show more chops on the ground.

But I also don't think his job as the third back is in any kind of jeopardy, even if he's mostly a pass-catcher. Joe Lombardi values diversity in the backfield, and Riddick provides a totally different skill-set than Bell and Abdullah.

Bell can catch the ball, no doubt, and Detroit expects Abdullah to develop his pass-catching as well. But Riddick, a former receiver at Notre Dame, is easily the team's best receiver out of the backfield, and that's a valuable card to have up your sleeve.

Remember that gutsy 20-yard catch over the middle that helped spark the game-winning drive against Atlanta? Or the sliding touchdown catch that beat Miami? I'm not sure Bell or any other tailback on the team makes that play.

Q: Player(s) you are most looking forward to covering/interviewing this season? -- Stephen Nestorick

A: Covering a player, and interviewing a player, are two very different endeavors. For example, covering Ndamukong Suh has been one of the greatest treats of my career. Watching him plow through double-teams, and make no apologies for the way he went about it, was truly thrilling.

I mean, offenses were specifically designed to slow him down. The Bears went so far as to use a first-round pick on a so-called "Suh stopper." And he dominated anyway. It was athletic theater.

But interviewing the man was about as enjoyable as going to the dentist. He said nothing, and managed to do it with disdain at the same time.

Having said that, among the guys I'm looking forward to covering this year is Matthew Stafford. Year 7 is going to be such a critical one for him. And, of course, there's Calvin Johnson.

I'm curious to see how Laken Tomlinson performs, given the weight of expectation that will be placed on those shoulders. And I'm curious to see how the Lions choose to use Ameer Abdullah.

As for guys I'm interested in talking to, I learn more about the game of football from Glover Quin and Rashean Mathis than just about anybody else. Those guys are incredibly gracious with their time. They never say no to an interview. They'll stand there until every question has been asked, or the media gets kicked out of the locker room.

I'm also truly intrigued by Mathis' ability to continue to produce, even as he approaches his 35th birthday. Corner is such a difficult position, where the loss of a half-step could be the difference between a Pro Bowl and the bread line. Yet Mathis continues to just do his thing, year in and year out.

And, of course, there's Darius Slay. He interviews exactly how he plays the game. With a childlike innocence and exuberance. There is just no filter on that guy, and it makes for some highly entertaining interviews. Like, you know, this.

Q: What's the likelihood that LaAdrian Waddle plays Week 1? -- Louis Mazzei

A: I don't know, and I don't anybody does. Even Waddle. Because it's going to be close.

The Sept. 13 opener will arrive right around the nine-month mark since he tore his ACL. The average rehab time from that injury is a little more than 10 months, although some do it quicker.

Waddle is already running, which is a good sign, but straight-line running isn't usually the biggest hurdle. It's cutting and changing direction -- and for a lineman, planting.

Waddle has been slowed by an assortment of injuries since signing with Detroit two years ago, including elbow, knee, ankle, calf and brain issues. He missed time in 10 games last year alone.

So my guess is Detroit will take its time with him, to ensure he's fully healthy before he takes the field. The same could be said of just about every player with just about every injury, but I do think the Lions will be especially patient with Waddle to give him the best shot at staying on the field once he's back.

He could be available for Week 1. But if I were a betting man, I'd lean toward him missing at least some time.

Q: What features do you look for in your sweater vests? -- Todd Greenspoon

A: I tend to prefer sweaters that resemble household appliances. Maybe a lamp shade. Possibly a shower curtain. Whatever's in my grandmother's closet, really.

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