Just a little over a week into Lions training camp, here’s a look at the rookies, a few who have been stand-outs.

Some were drafted, others were signed as free agents. Positions like offensive tackle are a little tougher to judge until the preseason games. We’ll get our first look on Friday night at Ford Field against Cleveland.

The creation of a champion begins each April and while it’s early, it looks like Martin Mayhew made some quality choices.

— T Riley Reiff (first round, Iowa): At June’s minicamp offensive coordinator Scott Linehan said this guy will play early and often. He just didn’t say where. Through the start of camp, he’s taken reps at left and right tackle along with Jason Fox and Corey Hilliard. Teammates like him and his approach to the game. He’s got some great veterans like Jeff Backus to learn from. Bring on the preseason.

— WR Ryan Broyles (second round, Oklahoma): He’s making remarkable strides after coming off ACL surgery more than six months ago. As long as he stays healthy, look for him to contribute right away. While three receivers are ahead of him on the depth chart, Linehan likes to mix it up and rotate guys on and off the field. He’s not going to let a talent like Broyles wither away on the bench. Like the other rookies, the preseason games will be huge for Broyles.

— CB Bill Bentley (third round, Louisiana-Lafayette): He’s been one of the standouts of the rookie class so far. It’s not like he has an occasional good day at camp, for Bentley every day is a good day and he continues to improve. Perhaps a secret to his success, is when he gets beat by a receiver on a one-on-one drill, he’ll immediately ask the guy how he beat him. Speedy and athletic, he’s in the running to get the start at right cornerback. If not, he should be first in at nickelback. He’s played both positions with the starters every day in camp.

— DE Ronnell Lewis (fourth round, Oklahoma): The pass-rushing specialist had a slow start to camp with a tight back. Known as “The Hammer” in college, Lewis is best known for his special teams play. That’s probably the only way he’ll make the 53-man roster this year. He has competition in Lawrence Jackson and Willie Young for the backup defensive end roles. Both of them young but are more experienced and continue to improve.

— LB Tahir Whitehead (fifth round, Temple): So teammate Justin Durant said this guy is the “strongest dude he’s ever seen.” That should tell you something. There’s a four-way battle for a projected three backup spots at linebacker and it looks like Whitehead is making a strong case for one of them.

— CB Chris Greenwood (fifth round, Albion): We can only give him an incomplete. Greenwood underwent abdominal surgery after getting injured in Organized Team Activities and he hasn’t been cleared to participate in camp. They like this athlete and I don’t expect they have given up on him. He’s just getting off to a slow start due to the injury.

— CB Jonte Green (sixth round, New Mexico State): This corner hasn’t made an impact quite like Bentley. It is early in the process though.

— LB Travis Lewis (seventh round, Oklahoma) — Another Sooner, another good camp so far. Lewis, who led Oklahoma in tackles for four seasons, has had a solid camp. He’s in the mix for one of the three backup linebacker positions.

— WR Patrick Edwards (undrafted): He’s been one of the biggest surprises in camp, routinely makes quality catches. It’s going to be tough for him to make the 53-man roster because really there’s just one roster opening and several fighting for it including Mo Stovall, Dominique Curry, Lance Long, Nate Hughes and Terrence Tolliver — all who have experience. Edwards qualifies for the practice squad, but he may be too good for it.

— QB Kellen Moore (undrafted, Boise State): He doesn’t have the arm strength, but he’s got football smarts and during camp he seems to make the most of his limited chances, often moving the ball downfield. He’s gained a big fan in offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. He’s a coach’s son which is usually a great line to put on the resume. There’s a chance the Lions won’t keep three quarterbacks (remember Drew Stanton didn’t dress for a game all last year), but if they do it will be Moore. R.J. Archer, who plays arena ball, is strictly a camp quarterback.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Get Lions news delivered directly to your phone by texting the keyword "Lions" to 22700. Msg & Data Rates May Apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel.)

ALLEN PARK — Since his ACL surgery on Nov. 21, rookie wide receiver Ryan Broyles has been working hard to get back on the football field.

It happened on Sunday, when he was taken off the Physically Unable to Perform list and joined his Lions’ teammates for practice.

He wasn’t quite ready when he took his turn and lined up for a one-on-one drill (wide receiver vs. defensive back) and he heard it from coach Jim Schwartz loud and clear. Actually so did the fans.

It was kind of Broyles’ welcome albeit a tough-love one from Schwartz.

“That’s a part of football, you love that when a coach gets on you, it means he cares, that’s a good thing,’’ said Broyles, a second-round draft pick out of Oklahoma.

Since it was the team’s third practice and they were wearing shoulder pads. It was just his first and per NFL rules players cannot wear pads for their first two days of practice.

“I want to be out there as much as possible, they’re going to bring me along at an even pace so whatever I can do to get out there I’m going to give it my all whatever chance I have,’’ Broyles said.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. To pre-order her upcoming book, click here: “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die.”)

Three Lions rookies have injuries woes that will keep them off the field when training camp opens on Friday.

Tuesday the Lions announced WR Ryan Broyles will start the season on the active/non-football injury list while CB Chris Greenwood (in photo) and DE Ronnell Lewis are on the active/physically unable to perform list.

All three can start practicing any time, but if they are not on the 53-man roster on Sept. 3 they will have to sit out the first six games.

Broyles was coming off ACL surgery from his Oklahoma playing days when he was drafted so this is not a surprise. While Broyles is expected to play a big role in the offense, there is no sense in rushing him to the field.

Greenwood, the fifth-round pick from Albion College, underwent abdominal surgery after an injury during OTAs in May and is in the process of rehabilitation. Lewis’ injury has not been disclosed.

(Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. To pre-order her upcoming book, click here: “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die.”)

The Lions scouted Oklahoma well last year, no doubt about it. General manager Martin Mayhew said it was just coincidence that they drafted three Sooners in the same class. Here’s a look at where they stand:

1. WR Ryan Broyles is still rehabbing from ACL surgery seven months ago. Wouldn’t be a surprise to see him start the season on the Physically Unable to Perform list which would keep him out of the first six games. It’s too early to tell, training camp will be his true test. When healthy he promises to be yet another offensive weapon.

2. DE Ronnell Lewis is one tough hombre. Rode bulls growing up in Dewar, Okla., and his nickname is Hammer because he can nail opposing players. He’s a lock to make the 53-man roster, might not see much time at defensive end this season, but that will come.

3. LB Travis Lewis has a chip on his shoulder because he was drafted in seventh round even though he was a four-year starter at Oklahoma and led the team in tackles all four years. His speed is the question mark here. He needs to make the roster with his special teams play. Talk to the guy for five minutes and you wouldn’t bet against him.

Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. To pre-order her upcoming book, click here: “100 Things Lions Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die.”

Not only did the Lions draft seven players, but they’ve signed an assortment of undrafted rookies.

Here are three rookies to keep an eye on:

1. Offensive lineman Riley Reiff has been impressive as expected. Trouble is, the offensive line from last year returns. Reiff will undoubtedly be a starter in years to come at left tackle after Jeff Backus is done, but what about this year. Even though he’d only practiced at tackle (both sides) through OTAs and the minicamp, general manager Martin Mayhew thinks he could play guard too. It will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

2. Wide receiver Ryan Broyles is seven months out from ACL surgery and has said he’ll be ready for training camp. He’s working hard, but there is no guarantee that will happen. If he’s not ready to go he could start the season on the physically unable to perform list which would keep him out of the first six games. They’ve got plenty of wide receivers so there is no reason to push him before he’s ready. Again, he bears watching during training camp.

3. Albion’s Chris Greenwood was a fifth-round pick and despite his small college background seemed to fit in during the offseason. The 6-foot-1 cornerback is more than a project. He’s not going to start — that will be Chris Houston and Aaron Berry — but he could find a role on special teams and work himself onto the roster.

(Until the start of training camp, the Lowdown lists will appear daily, Monday through Friday. Follow @PaulaPasche on Twitter. Email her at Paula.Pasche@oakpress.com.)