Detroit Lions depth chart: Pre-2024 NFL draft edition

The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us, making it an excellent time for a refresher on where the Detroit Lions roster sits, here’s a quick breakdown of the team’s depth chart before the big event.

Of note, teams' rosters are expanded to 90 players during the offseason, and currently, the Lions have 65 players under contract along with seven draft picks. That means Detroit will likely be active in the undrafted free agent and unrestricted free agent markets following the draft, as they can add up to an additional 18 players, beyond those drafted.

Quarterback (3)

Starter: Jared Goff
Top reserve: Hendon Hooker
Depth: Nate Sudfeld

The Lions appear set in their top two quarterback roles, but will probably bring in a fourth quarterback to challenge Nate Sudfeld for a depth role. Drafting a quarterback seems unlikely, but adding an undrafted free agent (UDFA) would make a lot of sense.

Running back (6)

Co-Starters: David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs
Top reserves: Craig Reynolds, Zonovan Knight
Depth: Jermar Jefferson, Jake Funk

The Lions ended the season with all six of these running backs on their roster in some capacity. This room is jammed, but the Lions are always looking for talent to upgrade their skill positions, so if the right running back comes along at the right time, more competition could be added.

Wide receiver (9)

Starters: Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams
Top reserves: Kalif Raymond, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Antoine Green
Depth: Tom Kennedy, Maurice Alexander, Daurice Fountain, Tre’Quan Smith

With only two clear starters, the Lions could look to add a starter in the draft—potentially with a high pick—or simply rely on their top reserves to compete for the vacant role. Kalif Raymond has starting experience with the Lions, Donovan Peoples-Jones has started in the past for the Cleveland Browns, and Antoine Green was drafted last year with the hopes of carving out a role.

Tight end (4)

Starter: Sam LaPorta
Top reserve: Brock Wright
Depth: James Mitchell, Shane Zylstra

With the new kickoff rule changes, I have suggested that tight ends will become more valuable on special teams, which could lead to Detroit keeping four on their active roster this season. The four currently on the roster were the same four competing for roles last season, and could easily be the four the Lions carry into the season. But don’t expect the Lions to let them sit comfortably. Adding more challengers to this room should be in the cards.

Offensive line (12)

Starters: Taylor Decker (LT), Graham Glasgow (LG), Frank Ragnow (C), Kevin Zeitler (RG), Penei Sewell (RT)
Top reserves: Kayode Awosika (G), Colby Sorsdal (G/T), Dan Skipper (T/G)
Depth: Michael Neise (IOL), Matt Farniok (OL), Netane Muti (G), Connor Galvin (T)

The Lions have a solid starting five, and three reserves they rostered all of last season. But with the level of importance the offensive line is to this organization, a couple of aging starters, and a few expiring contracts, adding a high-level offensive line talent could be a priority in this draft.

Interior defensive line (5)

Starters: Alim McNeill and DJ Reader
Top reserves: Levi Onwuzurike, Brodric Martin
Depth: Chris Smith

The Lions have already made a significant upgrade to this position group by adding DJ Reader, but there are some question marks amongst the reserves and the future could use some security. This is a low-key important position that the Lions could address in the draft.

EDGE (7)

Starters: Aidan Hutchinson and John Cominsky or Josh Paschal
Top reserves: Marcus Davenport, James Houston (SAM)
Depth: Mitchell Agude, Mathieu Betts

The Lions could walk into the season with their top seven players listed here and feel very comfortable. That being said, there’s always room to upgrade and it’s never a bad idea to add a player who can get after the quarterback. The Lions could end up using a first-round pick at this position or avoid it entirely.

Linebacker (5)

Starters: Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes
Top reserve: Jack Campbell
Depth: Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Malcolm Rodriguez

The Lions return five of their top six linebackers from last season, and with the new kickoff rules, it’s fair to speculate how big of a priority it will be to add back a sixth player to this group. If they do add another player, expect them to be a special teams ace first and defender second.

Corner (7)

Starters: Carlton Davis and Amik Robertson
Top reserve: Emmanuel Moseley, Kindle Vildor
Depth: Khalil Dorsey, Steven Gilmore, Craig James

The cornerbacks room has seen a lot of turnover this offseason, but there’s still a very good chance the Lions continue to add talent, possibly even in the first round. If the Lions don’t end up selecting a corner with the ability to compete for a starting role in 2024, it’s also possible that the Lions look back to free agency for depth.

Nickel (1)

Starter: Brian Branch
Top reserve: None

Branch is entrenched as the starting nickel, but beyond him, the cupboard is empty, save a few players who can line up inside in a pinch. With no clear reserve inside, and potential need for competition outside, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Lions double-dip at corner in this draft.

Safety (3)

Starters: Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu
Top reserve: Brandon Joseph

The Lions should feel comfortable with the upside of their starters, but with Kerby Joseph out until training camp with a hip injury, and Ifeatu Melifonwu still gaining positional knowledge, the Lions need both depth and experience. That could mean the Lions both draft a safety and sign a veteran in free agency following the draft.

Special teams (3)

Starters: Jack Fox (P), Michael Badgley (K), Scott Daly (LS)
Top reserves: None

The Lions brought in competition for kicker and long snapper last offseason and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them take that same approach this year. Drafting a long snapper seems unlikely but the right kicker could end up on the Lions draft board—or maybe he plays in the UFL?

At a glance look at the Lions’ pre-2024 NFL draft roster