Detroit Lions' 2023 Post-Draft Depth Chart
With the 2023 NFL Draft now officially over, teams can begin to put the puzzle pieces together as they move into the next phase of the offseason.
The Detroit Lions added eight players through the draft, along with several more as undrafted free agents. After being active in free agency, the team boasts plenty of new talent.
Here is a depth chart prediction for the Lions following the 2023 draft.
Quarterback
Starter: Jared Goff
Backup: Nate Sudfeld
Reserves: Adrian Martinez (UDFA)
Injured: Hendon Hooker (Rookie)
It's best to temper the expectations for Hooker, who is continuing his rehab from a torn ACL. Nate Sudfeld was brought back on a one-year deal and will likely be the backup until Hooker is given the green light.
It's hard to imagine him competing for the starting job with Goff. The Lions' best chance to win right now is with Goff, though the Tennessee product is a reliable backup plan.
Running backs
Starters: David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs (Rookie)
Backups: Craig Reynolds, Jermar Jefferson, Jason Cabinda (FB)
Reserves: Greg Bell, Mohamed Ibrahim (UDFA)
The Lions parted ways with D'Andre Swift on Day 3 of the draft, signaling a confidence in first-round pick Jahmyr Gibbs.
The Alabama product will have an interesting thunder and lightning dynamic with Montgomery. The Lions lost both of their starters at this position from a season ago, but there's still plenty of talent in the backfield.
Wide receivers
Starters: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Marvin Jones Jr., Kalif Raymond
Backups: Josh Reynolds, Trinity Benson, Maurice Alexander, Antoine Green (Rookie), Tom Kennedy
Reserves: Chase Cota (UDFA), Keytaon Thompson (UDFA)
Suspended: Jameson Williams (six games), Stanley Berryhill (six games)
The Lions will spend six games without one of their top talents at wideout. With Williams sidelined, the pressure is on veterans like Jones and Reynolds to produce.
Green was an interesting seventh-round pick who could see significant time right away as a result of the suspension.
Tight end
Starter: Brock Wright
Backups: Sam LaPorta (Rookie), Shane Zylstra, James Mitchell
Reserves: Derrick Deese
With the addition of LaPorta, the Lions are adding a dynamic receiving threat. However, Wright's consistency as a run-blocker makes him the starter going into the season.
Offensive line
Starters: Frank Ragnow (Center), Jonah Jackson (LG), Halapoulivaati Vaitai (RG), Taylor Decker (LT), Penei Sewell (RT)
Backups: C Ross Pierschbacher, G Graham Glasgow, G Kayode Awosika, G Logan Stenberg, T Matt Nelson, T Darrin Paulo, T Obinna Eze
Reserves: G/T Colby Sorsdal (Rookie), T Connor Galvin (UDFA), T Ryan Swoboda (UDFA), Brad Cecil (UDFA)
Defensive line
Starters: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, DT Alim McNeill, DT Isaiah Buggs, EDGE John Cominsky
Backups: EDGE James Houston, EDGE Romeo Okwara, EDGE Charles Harris, EDGE Josh Paschal, EDGE Julian Okwara, DT Brodric Martin (Rookie), DT Benito Jones, DT Demetrius Taylor, DT Levi Onwuzurike
Reserves: DT Chris Smith (UDFA), DE Zach Morton (UDFA)
The Lions added just one player to their defensive interior in the draft — Brodric Martin. Viewed by many as a reach in the third round, he does have good size and a solid wingspan.
If Martin can emerge as a run-stuffer, there's a role for the taking in his rookie season.
Linebacker
Starters: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell (Rookie)
Backups: Malcolm Rodriguez, Derrick Barnes, Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Reserves: Anthony Pittman, Isaac Darkangelo (UDFA), Trevor Nowaske (UDFA)
After re-signing Anzalone, the Lions took Campbell in the first round. Though the Iowa product won't call the defense at the start of the season, he'll likely be prepared to be a mainstay in Detroit's defense.
Rodriguez will be a good sub-package linebacker, while Derrick Barnes must show growth in his third season.
Secondary
Starters: CB Cameron Sutton, CB Emmanuel Moseley, Nickel C.J. Gardner-Johnson, S Kerby Joseph, S Tracy Walker III
Backups: CB Jerry Jacobs, CB Will Harris, CB Chase Lucas, CB/S Brian Branch (Rookie), S Ifeatu Melifonwu, S Brady Breeze
Reserves: CB Mac McCain III, CB Khalil Dorsey, CB Jarren Williams, CB Starling Thomas V (UDFA), S Brandon Joseph (UDFA)
This is truly a new-look secondary for the Lions. Former top pick Jeff Okudah was traded in the offseason, signaling the confidence that Detroit has in its free-agency additions.
Gardner-Johnson is primed to take over the nickel role, with second-round pick Brian Branch playing a similar role as a backup.
No other position has gotten this much better during the offseason. By committing minimal resources to the secondary during the draft, the Lions are betting on the veteran newcomers to make an impact.
Special teams
Starters: K Michael Badgley, P Jack Fox, LS Jake McQuaide
Backup: LS Scott Daly
