Detroit Lions depth chart: Post-2024 NFL draft edition

With the 2024 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, let’s take a closer look at an updated version of the Detroit Lions depth chart and roster.

The 2024 NFL Draft is complete and the Detroit Lions have added several new players to their offseason roster, making it a good time to revisit how things shook out after the three-day event.

In the offseason, NFL rosters can expand up to 90 players and the Lions are near capacity, with 86 spots filled. They entered the draft with 65 players, drafted six more, and then reportedly signed another 15 undrafted rookies (UDFA) following the draft—you can check in on the latest signing in our UDFA tracker.

For this updated depth chart, we will identify the new rookies by bolding them and adding how they were acquired. Players who were drafted will have the “round” they were drafted in indicated, while the undrafted players will have a UDFA designation. It’s important to keep in mind that at the time of this publishing, the Lions have not officially released their official UDFA list, meaning there could be changes to players with this designation.

Quarterback (3)

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

The Lions didn’t add a quarterback in the draft or as an undrafted free agent, but they are bringing in undrafted rookie Cade Peterson from Grand Valley State for a tryout during rookie mini-camp. He’ll have a chance to make a case for the Lions to carry four quarterbacks into OTAs.

Running back (7)

Co-Starters: David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs
Top reserves: Craig Reynolds, Zonovan Knight, Sione Vaki (4th round)
Depth: Jermar Jefferson, Jake Funk

The Lions drafted Sione Vaki in the fourth round and plan to have the dual-threat player play at running back rather than safety. He’ll have a chance to make his case for the RB3 job in camp, but he’ll almost certainly have a spot on the roster due to his special teams contributions, as a blocker, pursuer, and potential returner.

“That’s what first stood out, is we thought he was one of the better special teams players in this entire draft, all four phases of special teams,” general manager Brad Holmes said of Vaki. “Especially with some of the changes that are coming about, he’s starting to come to life even more.”

How the Lions approach the new special teams rules could have a direct impact on this position group. While Vaki looks locked in at RB4, at a minimum, there will still be healthy competition among the rest of the players. Who wins the RB3 job? Will the Lions keep an RB5 due to the new rules?

Wide receiver (11)

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, Isaiah Williams (UDFA), Jalon Calhoun (UDFA)

It’s a bit surprising that the Lions did not address the wide receiver position during the draft and the two UDFA options both look like slot-types. Isaiah Williams carried a drafable grade from most analysts—both Lance Zierlein of NFL.com and PFF ranked him in the top 150—so there’s some potential for the two-time Illinois captain to earn a role. Jalon Calhoun’s upside is still unknown—as he only transitioned from quarterback a few years ago—but he set records at Duke and has some return value in his skill set.

Don’t be surprised if the Lions use some of their remaining salary cap space to target a veteran free agent wide receiver who can compete for WR-X snaps.

Tight end (5)

Starter: Sam LaPorta
Top reserve: Brock Wright
Depth: James Mitchell, Shane Zylstra, Isaac Rex (UDFA)

It wasn’t long ago that the tight end group would enter camp with eight players on the roster as the Lions looked for answers at the position. Things are much different now, as the Lions feel very comfortable with their top four options, and brought in a fifth competitor in Isaac Rex. It’ll be tough to break into the group for Rex but as the only tight end in rookie minicamp, he’ll have a shot to impress.

Offensive line (17)

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), Giovanni Manu (T/G, 4th round), Christian Mahogany (G, 6th round)
Depth: Michael Neise (IOL), Matt Farniok (OL), Netane Muti (G), Connor Galvin (T), Kingsley Eguakun (C, UDFA), Bryan Hudson (C, UDFA), Duke Clemens (C, UDFA)

The Lions added five offensive linemen over the past week, drafting two and targeting three UDFA centers.

Giovanni Manu recently revealed that the Lions want him to shift to the right side and have plans to test him out at guard. While his experience is at left tackle and left guard, it appears the Lions are interested in developing him at right guard to begin his NFL career. Coming from a small school and switching sides indicates a tougher learning curve, and with Holmes suggesting Manu could be on a Brodric Martin-type developmental path, we may only see glimpses of Manu in 2024. Christian Mahogany has spent about two-thirds of his career at right guard but also has a season of left guard experience under his belt. Mahogany is considered more pro-ready and could find his way into the backup interior competition from the jump.

Neither Manu nor Mahogany has experience at center, and it appears the Lions will have a three-person competition between their UDFAs in camp for a chance at a backup role. Kingsley Eguakun reportedly got a significant amount of contractual guarantees ($245,000 is the highest of the reported Lions’ UDFA guarantees) to come to Detroit, but he’ll have to fend off Bryan Hudson and Duke Clemens. Regardless of who comes out in front, breaking into this roster will still be an uphill battle.

Despite adding five rookie offensive linemen, the Lions don’t have a proven reserve at offensive tackle. Dan Skipper has some positional range but is better in a sixth offensive lineman role or inside at guard, while Connor Galvin—the Lions’ high-priced UDFA from 2023—spent the season on the practice squad. Like at receiver, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Lions dip into the free agent market looking for veteran competition.

Interior defensive line (6)

Starters: Alim McNeill and DJ Reader
Top reserves: Levi Onwuzurike, Brodric Martin, Mekhi Wingo (6th round)
Depth: Chris Smith

When the Lions drafted Levi Onwuzurike, they hoped to have found an interior penetrator who could slide inside and out along the defensive line. His back injury has impacted his career and now he faces a rookie prospect with a similar skill set in Mekhi Wingo. While undersized (6-foot, 284 pounds), Wingo has a ton of intangibles that should help him earn a DT3 or DT4 role as an interior disruptor. It’s still a bit unknown how far along Martin is in his development, but considering they don’t have another reserve nose tackle on the roster, it could be a good sign he’s improved to a spot where he can be a weekly contributor.

EDGE (9)

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

Edge rusher was another popular choice to be upgraded during the draft, but the Lions appeared satisfied with the players they were returning plus the free agency acquisitions.

How the Lions plan to use Marcus Davenport will likely be the biggest catalyst to how things play out, both in scheme and performance. Davenport has only played over 50% of defensive snaps in eight games over the past two seasons—mainly due to injury—which led me to believe he would likely play a reserve role. But after a few conversations in Allen Park over draft weekend, and the lack of additions during the draft, I’m now leaning towards the Lions potentially starting him. If that is indeed the plan, his health will directly impact the types of schemes the Lions front can install.

Linebacker (7)

Starters: Alex Anzalone and Derrick Barnes
Top reserve: Jack Campbell
Depth: Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Malcolm Rodriguez, Steele Chambers (UDFA), DaRon Gilbert (UDFA)

The Lions are set with their top five linebackers, but they have historically kept six active on game days for special teams purposes. With the new special teams rules in place, will the Lions keep six again? Or will that sixth roster spot go to another position, like running back?

If the Lions keep six, UDFA rookie Steele Chambers and DaRon Gilbert will battle it out for a spot. Chambers made my pre-Combine watchlist because his skill set translates to things the Lions want in their linebackers. He also carried a sixth-round grade for me and would be the front runner for the LB6 job if history repeats itself. Gilbert is very undersized (6-foot-1, 214 pounds) and it’s fair to wonder if he’ll transition to a safety role.

Corner (9)

Starters: Carlton Davis and Terrion Arnold (1st round)
Top reserve: Amik Robertson, Emmanuel Moseley, Ennis Rakestraw (2nd round)
Depth: Kindle Vildor, Khalil Dorsey, Steven Gilmore, Craig James,

While Holmes insists there will be a training camp battle for starting roles—and that is indeed where jobs will be won—I’m leaning toward Terrion Arnold winning a starting role based on his skill set and upside. He will certainly face stiff competition from all three of the top reserves, but my early gut instinct is to side with this year’s first-round pick.

With Vildor, Dorsey, and Gilmore all holding top-six roles last season, you can clearly see how the Lions have upgraded the position group, as all three of them are now likely fighting for one potential sixth outside role.

Nickel (2)

Starter: Brian Branch
Top reserve: Open
Depth: Morice Norris (UDFA)

Branch has this job locked down, but with him potentially contributing at safety as well, the reserve role is wide open. Norris was the only UDFA corner added this offseason, so he’ll get a chance to prove himself, but he’ll likely have to compete with all the reserve and depth options listed in the outside corner group above.

Safety (5)

Starters: Kerby Joseph and Ifeatu Melifonwu
Top reserve: Brandon Joseph, Chelen Garnes (UDFA), Loren Strickland (UDFA)

Joseph, Melifonwu, and Branch give the Lions some quality starting options, but the depth of this group will need some attention. Like with receiver and offensive tackle, the Lions’ lack of additions in the draft lends itself to seeing competition brought in through free agency.

Chelen Garnes and Loren Strickland are heavy-hitting box safeties—we could also see Gilbert in this competition as well—and will likely be competing for a special teams and SAF4 role.

Special teams (5)

Starters: Jack Fox (P), Michael Badgley (K), Scott Daly (LS)
Top reserves: James Tuner (K, UDFA), Hogan Hatten (LS, UDFA)

The Lions returned all three of their specialists from last season but have always preferred camp competition. James Turner and Hogan Hatten will be the early challengers, but the Lions have shown they’re always on the lookout for more talent to compete. So those of you hoping to see the Lions bring in Michigan Panthers kicker, Jakes Bates, that likely remains an option.

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