The NFL Draft is now over.
Six new players were added to the Detroit Lions roster at the conclusion of the three-day event. They have also added a few notable undrafted free agents to their roster. The Lions will undoubtedly face fierce competition as minicamp approaches. The current state of the depth chart after the NFL Draft is shown here.
quarterback
Jared Goff, the starter
Hendon Hooker as a backup
Nate Sudfeld is a reserve.
There isn’t now a quarterback controversy with the Lions. With Nate Sudfeld back to challenge Hendon Hooker for the backup position, Jared Goff is the clear favorite to start. Hooker is the clear favorite in his first full season following an injury that kept him out of the game for the majority of his rookie campaign.
Retreating swiftly
David Montgomery to lead
Jahmyr Gibbs, backup
Craig Reynolds, Zonovan Knight, Sione Vaki (rookie), Jermar Jefferson, and Jake Funk are the reserve players.
When healthy, Montgomery and Gibbs provide a reliable one-two punch for the Lions. There will be fierce battle for the third place. Reynolds is an experienced player who is well-versed in the scheme and the protections, but Vaki’s skill set is obviously what the Lions are most attracted to. Knight, who was sidelined for the majority of the previous year due to a shoulder ailment, is also not one to be outdone.
large receivers
Starters: Jameson Williams, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and Amon-Ra St. Brown (Slot).
Trên Smith, Antoine Green, and Kalif Raymond (Slot) are the backups.
Isaiah Williams (UDFA), Maurice Alexander, Daurice Fountain, Jalon Calhoun (UDFA), and Tom Kennedy are the reserve players.
In addition to Williams and St. Brown, Peoples-Jones is currently the favorite to start as the team’s third wide receiver. His chance to be an impact player in the offense is enhanced by the fact that he will have an entire offseason to become familiar with the organization’s strategy.
However, keep a watch on Smith, who enjoyed successful campaigns with the Saints. In his second NFL season, Green might also see significant growth. With a sizable sum of guaranteed money, Isaiah Williams might be a dark horse to make the team.
close to the end
Sam LaPorta, the starter
As a backup, Brock Wright
Reserves: Isaac Rex (UDFA), Shane Zylstra, and James Mitchell
Regarding LaPorta and Wright’s standing in 2024, there is no doubt about it. Mitchell and Zylstra will compete for the third position, hoping to prove their worth in light of their recent injuries. Rex is another intriguing addition to the UDFA.
Attacking tackle
Starters: Penei Sewell (right), Taylor Decker (left).
Dan Skipper and Giovanni Manu (Rookie) as backups
Connor Galvin is a reserve.
Sewell was affirmed by the Lions as a key member of the team with a significant contract extension. As Decker approaches the final year of his contract, he is a little less assured. Manu will give solid competition while still growing, and Skipper will offer good depth as the team’s swing tackle.
Guard in attack mode
Graham Glasgow (left), Kevin Zeitler (right) are the starters.
Kayode Awosika and Christian Mahogany (a rookie) are backups.
Colby Sorsdal, Matt Farniok, and Netane Muti are the reserves.
Mahogany, Awosika, and Sorsdal should have a fascinating competition to fill the backup guard position. Last year, Awosika had the advantage at the end of the season since he was superior to Sorsdal in spurts. This clash might be among the greatest of training camp because both teams have a fresh start and a new face in Mahogany, who was taken by the Lions in the sixth round.
Starting Center: Frank Ragnow
Michael Niese as a backup
Reserves: Bryan Hudson (UDFA), Duke Clemens (UDFA)
In the event that Ragnow’s ailments don’t get better, guard Graham Glasgow will probably be the first to step in and take over in this role. While Niese was briefly promoted from the practice squad last season, it’s unclear what the Lions have in Clemens and Hudson.
tackle with the nose
DJ Reader opens. Brodric Martin provides backup.
Given that he provides the Lions with an experienced nose tackle, Reader might have been Detroit’s most significant offseason pickup. He will greatly improve the effort to stop the run. After playing mostly as a healthy scratch in 2023, Martin, on the other hand, might see a larger role.
Alim McNeill is the starting defensive tackle.
Mekhi Wingo (Rookie) as a backup
Reserves: Chris Smith, Levi Onwuzurike
Last season, McNeill started the process of turning into a Lions star. He focused on getting into top physical condition, and as a result, he has the ability to play three downs. Wingo, a Draft steal, will challenge Levi Onwuzurike right away for playing time in the rotation.
EDGE or defensive end
Starters: Marcus Davenport and Aidan Hutchinson
John Cominsky and Josh Paschal as backups
James Houston, Mathieu Betts, Mitchell Agude, Nate Lynn (UDFA), and Isaac Ukwu (UDFA) are the reserve players. This position will host one of the more interesting position fights of the offseason. The Lions have other choices across from Hutchinson. Although Paschal had a strong season finale and Houston is back to full health, Davenport wins this one because he is healthier and offers experience.
Additionally, Cominsky has performed admirably against the run in the first two seasons of the league, but as the season progressed, his importance diminished. As the CFL Defensive Player of the Year the previous season, Betts is a wild card.
Mike, the linebacker
First mover: Jack Campbell
Backup: Derrick Barnes Campbell, the MIKE linebacker for Detroit, ought to make a big step forward in 2024 and be given the starting position. Barnes will still go up for the position and get a lot of playing time in scenarios when he is rotated in.
Linebacker WILL
Beginning: Alex Anzalone
Malcolm Rodriguez as a backup
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, DaRon Gilbert, and Steele Chambers (UDFA) are the reserve players.
This role is held by Anzalone. The seasoned player has worn the “green dot” for the defense in consecutive seasons with 100 tackles. After playing some fullback last season, Rodriguez is starting his third and most important season. Although Reeves-Maybin occasionally played rusher on passing downs, his finest position will probably be as a key member of the special team.
Drawbacks
Starters: Terrion Arnold, a rookie, and Carlton Davis
Emmanuel Moseley and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (a rookie) are backups.
Reserves: Craig James, Steven Gilmore, Khalil Dorsey, and Kindle Vildor
Arnold is in a strong position to start from day one, but it won’t be simple with the new depth at this position. The Lions will not be under any obligation to play Arnold or Rakestraw straight away if they are not ready thanks to the luxury of depth. If Moseley gets well, he should be able to assist, and Vildor saw a lot of valuable action as a starter toward the end of the last year.
Nickel cornerback
First mover: Brian Branch
Amik Robertson serves as a backup.
In the event that Branch spends more time at safety this year, the nickel spot might be in contention. But with a full year of development, he looked at home in this position and should do well. Although Robertson is adaptable enough to play in any position, he will also be considered to start as an outside corner.
Ifeatu Melifonwu and Kerby Joseph are safety starters.
Brandon Joseph and Chelen Garnes (UDFA) are backups.
Even though there doesn’t seem to be much depth at this position, the Lions may be able to be adaptable at cornerback. After spending last season on the practice squad, Brandon Joseph will get an opportunity to see action during OTAs as Kerby Joseph is out until training camp due to hip surgery.
unique groups
Michael Badgley, the kicker
Long-snapper: Scott Daly, Hogan Hatten (UDFA); Punter: Jack Fox
