Detroit Lions' 53-man depth chart projection after 2023 NFL Draft
Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell finally have their roster to pull the Detroit Lions out of the depths of the NFL after an excellent free agency period and a decent showing in the 2023 NFL Draft. Detroit has been able to address numerous key positions, especially those that are in need of proven starters, and […]
Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell finally have their roster to pull the Detroit Lions out of the depths of the NFL after an excellent free agency period and a decent showing in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Detroit has been able to address numerous key positions, especially those that are in need of proven starters, and this is the closest this team has been to a deep playoff run in decades.
Here is where the depth chart currently stands on the heels of the end of the draft. Note: Players with one asterisk (*) represent 2023 draft picks and players with double asterisks (**) represent 2023 undrafted free agents.
| Postion | Starter | Backups |
|---|---|---|
Quarterback | Jared Goff | Hendon Hooker*, Nate Sudfeld |
Running back | David Montgomery | Jahmyr Gibbs*, Craig Reynolds, Jermar Jefferson, Jason Cabinda (FB) |
Wide receiver | Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Marvin Jones Jr. | Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, Maurice Alexander |
Tight end | Sam LaPorta | Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra |
Offensive line | Taylor Decker, Jonah Jackson, Frank Ragnow, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Penei Sewell | Colby Sorsdal*, Graham Glasgow, Matt Nelson, Logan Stenberg |
Defensive line | Aidan Hutchinson, John Cominsky, Alim McNeill, Isaiah Buggs | Levi Onwuzurike, Josh Paschal |
Outside linebacker | Alex Anzalone, Charles Harris | Malcolm Rodriguez, Julian Okwara, Romeo Okwara |
Inside linebacker | Jack Campbell | Derrick Barnes |
Cornerback | Cameron Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley, C.J. Gardner Johnson | Jerry Jacobs, Jarren Williams, Will Harris |
Safety | Tracy Walker, Kerby Joseph | Brian Branch*, Ifeatu Melifonwu |
Kicker | Michael Badgley | |
Punter | Jack Fox | |
Long snapper | Scott Daly | |
Kicker returner | ||
Punter returner |
All in all, this is the roster the Lions have been waiting for all these years. Each position group is led by a quality starter (or starters) and Detroit even has the depth at the necessary positions to deal with some injuries as they come.
This season may still have its stretches of learning bumps as this group gets used to living under the spotlight of the NFL media, but good things are coming for the Lions.
