Ashlee Palmer is in a three-way battle for the Lions’ open outside linebacker position. He feels the job is his to lose.

“Until they say, ‘Ashlee you’re the starter’ we’re going to keep the rotations going and the best man will win. They’ll choose the best man for the spot,’’ Palmer said.

With Justin Durant gone, Palmer is battling for the starting position

along with Tahir Whitehead and Travis Lewis who are both second-year players.

The three have been in a rotation during training camp, taking turns day by day working with the first-team defense.

Palmer is considered the favorite because he has nine starts over the last four seasons — two last season and five in 2010 for the Lions. He also had two starts for Buffalo as a rookie in 2009.

“These young kids came in and got the system right away. They know it about just as well as I do,’’ the 27-year-old Palmer said. “I have more experience playing-wise. It plays a pretty big factor, but we can’t really tell until the games come.’’

Palmer hasn’t missed a game in three seasons with Detroit while Whitehead played in 14 games and Lewis 13 games as rookies mostly on special teams. No starts for either one of them.

Palmer also has plenty of game experience other than starts, much of it on special teams.

“He was one of our most productive guys (on special teams). It’s a production  world. If that’s the bottom line than yes,’’ coach Jim Schwartz said.

He played on all four special teams units last season and would like to continue that even if he wins the starting linebacker position.

Palmer understands that will be up to the coaches, but he did his part to prepare getting in better condition than usual over the summer.

“(I did) a lot of running, I live in Lancaster, Calif. There’s a lot of desert out there ...’’ Palmer said. “Once you got your headphones on, you got your music on, you’re not paying much attention. You may see a coyote in the field or something, hawks in the air looking for food, other than that it was me and my music working on my conditioning.’’

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Order her book,  “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die’’ here. It’s also available at bookstores.)