Lions depth chart projection: Who's a lock and how the 8 NFL Draft picks fit in (2024)

The NFL Draft, a three-day period when GMs identify the future faces of the franchises they operate, has come to an end. Time to shift our focus to the present.

The draft was a busy one for the Detroit Lions. They targeted players who can contribute immediately and didn’t apologize for it, in an effort to win now. That’s reflected in this depth chart projection. Each of Detroit’s first six selections has a chance to either start or be a primary backup from day one. How often can a team say that about its draft class?

Let’s take a look at the new additions, and how they fit into the roster puzzle. The Lions’ 2023 draft picks:

Note: This isn’t a 53-man roster projection. Just analysis at how the depth could look.

Quarterback

Starter: Jared Goff

Reserves: Nate Sudfeld, Hendon Hooker

GM Brad Holmes wasn’t lying when he said he wanted to add another QB this offseason. That’s exactly what he did by drafting Hooker 68th overall. After watching a training camp battle between David Blough and Tim Boyle unfold, only to cut both and add Sudfeld, Holmes knew he needed to address the position. While Hooker is still recovering from a torn ACL, he was recently cleared to drop back and should continue to get healthier. Will he be ready for the start of the season? Tough to say. But the Lions have Sudfeld waiting in the wings if Goff goes down.

Running back

Starters: David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs

Reserves: Craig Reynolds, Jermar Jefferson, Greg Bell

Well, this is new. Out: Jamaal Williams and D’Andre Swift. In: Montgomery and Gibbs. The Lions actively worked to upgrade the running back position, moving on from a pair of solid backs for players they liked even more. Montgomery is one of the best in the NFL at generating missed tackles, which was a goal of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s. He could thrive behind Detroit’s offensive line. Dan Campbell coached RB Alvin Kamara in New Orleans, and might just have his own version in Gibbs, a prospect with 4.36 speed who’s dynamic with the ball in the space. The Lions viewed Swift and Williams as co-starters, so that’s what we’ll do here.

Wide receiver

Starters: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Josh Reynolds

Reserves: Marvin Jones Jr., Kalif Raymond, Tom Kennedy, Trinity Benson, Maurice Alexander, Antoine Green

Williams, after serving his six-game suspension, will take over for DJ Chark as Detroit’s vertical threat. Other than that, much of this room looks the same. Marvin Jones Jr. is back in town to offer depth at receiver. Raymond, who filled in admirably when Chark missed time, could bridge the speed gap until Williams returns. Green is a rookie seventh-rounder, so it’s not a guarantee he makes the initial 53-man roster, but he was one of North Carolina’s best vertical threats. He’ll be one to keep an eye on.

Tight ends/fullback

Starters: Sam LaPorta

Reserves: James Mitchell, Brock Wright, Jason Cabinda, Shane Zylstra

A bit of projecting here, but the Lions made LaPorta the second tight end drafted — ahead of Notre Dame’s Michael Mayer — in a class viewed as one of the deepest in some time. That should tell you everything you need to about how they think of him. Maybe they try to bring him along. But my gut tells me they didn’t draft him as high as they did to sit on the bench. Holmes said LaPorta can make an immediate impact. Mitchell remains a young prospect with upside and will push for more time in Year 2. Those two are the future here, with Wright likely depth. LaPorta’s presence likely pushes Zylstra to the practice squad. Cabinda, a fullback, slots in here too.

Offensive line

Starters: LT Taylor Decker, LG Jonah Jackson, C Frank Ragnow, RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai, RT Penei Sewell

Reserves: Graham Glasgow, Matt Nelson, Colby Sorsdal, Logan Stenberg, Kayode Awosika, Ross Pierschbacher, Obinna Eze, Darrin Paulo

The offensive line is pretty much set. The Lions were able to keep Vaitai around, and if he’s healthy and looks good, he’s your likely starter at right guard. Maybe Glasgow pushes for that spot, but he’s likely more of an Evan Brown replacement. Matt Nelson should make the roster again as a reserve tackle. Detroit drafted Sorsdal in the fifth round, a bit higher than he was projected to go, which speaks to how they feel about his upside. He could use some time to develop, though. If Detroit breaks camp with nine offensive linemen again, there will likely be a battle.

Defensive line

Starters: Alim McNeill, Isaiah Buggs

Reserves: Brodric Martin, Levi Onwuzurike, Benito Jones, Demetrius Taylor

The Lions passed on Georgia DT Jalen Carter, arguably the top prospect in the class at a position of need. They also passed on some other options like Calijah Kancey, Bryan Bresee, Keeanu Benton, Siaki Ika and others for Martin — a player with a Day 3 grade by most analysts — and traded three picks to get him. Obviously, Holmes doesn’t listen to analysts. You wouldn’t expect an NFL GM to, either. But that’s a lot of capital on a player he might’ve been able to get later.

Here’s what we know: McNeill is a starter. Whether that’s as a three-technique or nose will be determined later. Buggs is more of a depth piece, but until we know more about the youth behind him, he’s listed as a starter. In a perfect world, Onwuzurike is healthy and looks like the disruptive player the Lions drafted him to be. That’s just hard to predict right now given the back injury he’s dealt with. Martin projects as a space-eating nose tackle. Holmes says he “has some rawness” to his game, which could keep him out of the starting lineup. But if the Lions feel he can be a starter out of the gate, it would push Buggs to a reserve role with McNeill playing three-tech.

These Lions, from the top on down, are feeling themselves. Feeling encouraged by the franchise’s trajectory. Feeling good about the health of their roster.

Their 2023 draft haul reflected that, writes @colton_pouncy and @nickbaumgardner.https://t.co/AdhqXC2xo8

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 1, 2023

Edge

Starters: Aidan Hutchinson, Romeo Okwara

Reserves: John Cominsky, James Houston, Josh Paschal, Charles Harris, Julian Okwara

This was by far the toughest position to forecast, and the Lions didn’t even draft an edge. Hutchinson is locked in as a starter, but the other spot is pretty interchangeable. We’ll give the early nod to Romeo Okwara, now more than a year removed from a torn Achilles. He could’ve been cut this offseason, but the team brought him back at a discount. He was one of Detroit’s best defenders before the injury, so he could be one of the favorites. Or maybe Paschal is ready. The second-year pro got a late start to his career, but he flashed at times when he returned to action. Cominsky was a valuable piece for the defense last year and the front office made sure to bring him back. He’s got inside-out versatility.

Houston was a situational pass rusher and racked up eight sacks in less than 100 pass-rush snaps. Harris and Julian Okwara serve as depth, but this position is one to monitor. Will Detroit enter the year with seven edges?

Linebacker

Starters: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell

Reserves: Malcolm Rodriguez, Derrick Barnes, Jalen Reeves-Maybin

The Lions just spent the 18th pick on an off-ball linebacker many projected as a second-round pick, so they likely view him as a starter out of the gate. Considering they gave Anzalone a three-year, $18 million contract, he’s in line to start again, too. So what does that mean for Malcolm Rodriguez? I’d expect him to do everything he can to keep his job, but remember Kelvin Sheppard’s “Hard Knocks” scene? The Lions didn’t want to start Rodriguez as a rookie, but he was simply the best option. They’ve got another one now. It will be fascinating to see how it plays out.

Cornerback

Starters: Cam Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley, C.J. Gardner-Johnson (nickel)

Reserves: Jerry Jacobs, Will Harris, Brian Branch (nickel), Mac McCain, Khalil Dorsey, Jarren Williams

The Lions redecorated their cornerback room like an HGTV show. Jeff Okudah, Mike Hughes and Amani Oruwariye are out. Sutton, Moseley, Gardner-Johnson and Branch are in. Aaron Glenn has his guys, and now a position that was once a weakness is arguably the biggest strength. Getting Branch in the second round was the cherry on top. There should be high expectations for this secondary.

Safety

Starters: Kerby Joseph, Tracy Walker

Reserves: Ifeatu Melifonwu, Saivion Smith, Chase Lucas, Brady Breeze

Joseph is back for Year 2 after a very promising rookie season. His ball skills from the safety position are outstanding and the hope for the Lions is that he improves with more experience. Walker is coming off a torn Achilles but has been working his way back in time for OTAs. We’ll see if he’s ultimately cleared, but he projects as the other starter here. As for the reserves, C.J. Moore would’ve been depth but he was released for betting on NFL games. Melifonwu filled in for DeShon Elliott late last season, so he’s probably next in line for safety reps. Lucas made the 53-man roster out of camp. He’s listed as a corner but earned some safety snaps when healthy. Smith was in the mix too before going down with a neck injury.

Specialists

Starters: K Michael Badgley, P Jack Fox, LS Jake McQuaide

Reserves: LS Scott Daly

Badgley re-signed with the Lions this offseason, but perhaps they will look to bring in some competition for him. That’s what they did at long snapper, signing former Pro Bowler McQuaide to compete for the job. McQuaide likely has the edge there. As for Fox, well, he’s the NFL’s highest-paid punter. Smooth sailing for him.

(Photo of Kerby Joseph: Rey Del Rio / Getty Images)

Colton Pouncy is a staff writer for The Athletic covering the Detroit Lions. He previously covered Michigan State football and basketball for the company, and covered sports for The Tennessean in Nashville prior to joining The Athletic. Follow Colton on Twitter @colton_pouncy