Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew believes that his side will have an advantage over their rivals as they will start their off-season workouts before the majority of NFL teams.

Clubs that have changed head coaches in the off-season are allowed a 14-day headstart by the NFL, and the Lions will look to rebuild under new coach Jim Caldwell after firing Jim Schwartz last season.

Mayhew told reporters: "It will give us an indication of some areas where maybe there's a young guy we really haven't counted on, who looks like he's going to take to a new system and going to be a really good player for us.

"Maybe there's a vet we are counting on we need to make some other plans for. There's always a benefit to having that early camp."

The Lions finished with a 7-9 record in the 2013 season.