There are a few surprises on the Lions’ first depth chart of the preseason
The Detroit Lions released their first depth chart of the year on August, 9th.
The First String
Quarterback
Matthew Stafford
Running Backs
Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick
Tight End
Eric Ebron
Wide Receivers
Golden Tate and Marvin Jones
Offensive Line
Left Tackle: Greg Robinson
Left Guard: Graham Glasgow
Center: Travis Swanson
Right Guard: TJ Lang
Right Tackle: Rick Wagner
Defensive Ends
Kerry Hyder Jr. and Anthony Zettel
Defensive Tackles
Haloti Ngata and A’Shawn Robinson
Linebackers
Weakside Linebacker: Tahir Whitehead
Middle Linebacker: Jarrad Davis
Strongside Linebacker: Antwione Williams
Cornerbacks
Darius Slay and Nevin Lawson
Safeties
Glover Quin and Tavon Wilson
Kicker
Matt Prater
Punter
Kasey Redfern
Kickoff Returner
Dwayne Washington
Punt Returner
Golden Tate
The Second String
Quarterback
Jake Rudock
Running Backs
Zach Zenner and Dwayne Washington
Tight End
Darren Fells
Wide Receivers
Kenny Golladay and TJ Jones
Offensive Line
Left Tackle: Cyrus Kouandjio
Left Guard: Joe Dahl
Center: Leo Koloamatangi
Right Guard: Laken Tomlinson
Right Tackle: Cornelius Lucas
Defensive Ends
Cornelius Washington and Armonty Bryant
Defensive Tackles
Akeem Spence and Khyri Thornton
Linebackers
Weakside Linebacker: Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Middle Linebacker: Paul Worrilow
Strongside Linebacker: Brandon Copeland
Cornerbacks
DJ Hayden and Teez Tabor
Safeties
Miles Killebrew and Charles Washington
Kickoff Returner
TJ Jones
Punt Returner
TJ Jones
The Third String
Quarterback
Brad Kaaya
Running Backs
Matt Asiata and Tion Green
Tight End
Cole Wick
Wide Receivers
Jace Billingsley and Jared Abbrederis
Offensive Line
Left Tackle: Storm Norton
Left Guard: Brandon Thomas
Right Guard: Matt Rotheram
Right Tackle: Nick Becton
Defensive Ends
Pat O’Connor and Alex Barrett
Defensive Tackles
Jeremiah Ledbetter and Jordan Hill
Linebackers
Weakside Linebacker: Steve Longa
Middle Linebacker: Nick Bellore
Strongside Linebacker: Thurston Armbrister
Cornerbacks
Johnson Bademosi and Quandre Diggs
Safeties
Alex Carter and Don Carey
Kickoff Returner
Jamal Agnew
Punt Returner
Jamal Agnew
Notes
One of the first things that pop out on this depth chart is the Lions’ base offense: they have two running backs considered starters. Many people expected the Lions ‘base formation to consist of two tight ends, one running back and two receivers, but this depth chart suggests otherwise.
Greg Robinson is listed as the starter at left tackle over Cyrus Kouandjio, so it appears that Robinson will have the first shot at winning the position.
Golden Tate is listed as the primary punt returner. He has returned punts for the Lions in the past but did not at all last season.
Anthony Zettel is listed as a starting defensive end. Ansah is out for the first game, so this indicates that Zettel will be the primary backup at defensive end and is ahead of guys like Armonty Bryant and Cornelius Washington.
Antwione Williams, a sixth round pick from 2016, is listed as a starting linebacker. This means that he has passed Paul Worrilow on the depth chart.
Khyri Thornton is still ahead of Jordan Hill on the depth chart despite being suspended for the first part of the season.
Teez Tabor is a second string cornerback, which means he has passed both Johnson Bademosi and Quandre Diggs on the depth chart.
Charles Washington is the second string free safety. Alex Carter converted to free safety earlier this offseason to try and find a spot on the Lions roster, but he is now stuck behind Washington.
Jamal Agnew is the third string kick off and punt returner. Many had him as a favorite to earn the first string job at both positions, but he will have to prove himself through the rest of training camp and preseason.
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