Detroit Lions Early 2023 Depth Chart Prediction
With plenty of new faces, the Detroit Lions will be revamped heading into the 2023 season.
General manager Brad Holmes has spared little expense to improve his team, as the Lions have been among the most active teams in free agency. Though the team isn’t tied to many big contracts, he has added players who will help a team that finished the 2022 campaign with a winning record.
Though the team still has work to do through the rest of the free agency and into the draft, it’s never too early to predict what Detroit’s starting lineup might look like when the season kicks off in September.
Here is my first Detroit Lions depth chart prediction for the 2023 season.
Quarterback
Starter: Jared Goff
Backup/In the hunt: None
Goff is fully secure as the starter heading into next season. Holmes and Campbell have both voiced their support of the veteran, and his play over the final half of the 2022 season eliminated any doubt about his status heading into 2023.
Now, the Lions must address the backup position. This remains one of the more intriguing storylines regarding the future. It remains to be seen whether Detroit goes the veteran backup route or adds a young quarterback behind Goff, which makes this position fun to follow throughout the rest of the offseason.
Running back
Starter: David Montgomery, Jason Cabinda (FB)
Backup: D’Andre Swift
In the hunt: Craig Reynolds, Jermar Jefferson
Montgomery will have big shoes to fill, as Jamaal Williams recorded a 1,000-yard season and broke the franchise’s single-season touchdown record before departing for the New Orleans Saints.
He seems more than capable, however, as he has run for at least 800 yards in each of his four professional seasons. Behind Detroit’s offensive line, he could have a career year.
Montgomery’s presence allows Swift to operate as a secondary option, where he could thrive. Reynolds and Jefferson will be among the training camp competitors for the third running back spot.
David Montgomery, Detroit Lions running back
Jamie Sabau, USA TODAY Sports
Wide receiver
Starters: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams
Backups: Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond
In the hunt: Quintez Cephus, Maurice Alexander, Trinity Benson, Tom Kennedy, Stanley Berryhill
St. Brown has emerged as one of the league’s best receivers in just two seasons as a pro. He’s been as reliable as anyone, and quickly became Goff’s favorite targets in clutch moments.
The jury is still out on Williams, as he was limited as a rookie while rehabbing a torn ACL suffered in college. Holmes and the rest of the Lions’ brass are excited about his potential, as his speed offers a game-changing element to the offense.
Kalif Raymond had a career-best season in 2022, and Josh Reynolds is steady as a vertical threat. One of the bigger questions will be whether DJ Chark returns, as he remains a free agent in a year where the receiver market has been down.
Tight end
Starter: Brock Wright
Backups: Shane Zylstra, James Mitchell
In the hunt: Derrick Deese Jr.
Detroit deployed a committee approach in the wake of trading Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson. The trio of Wright, Zylstra and Mitchell proved to be reliable in filling the void.
Both Wright and Zylstra were tendered contracts, so expect both to remain contributors. It’s intriguing to debate whether Holmes makes an addition at the position.
Center
Starter: Frank Ragnow
Backups/In the hunt: None
Little debate here. Ragnow is currently the only traditional center on roster, and has played at an All-Pro level when healthy. As long as he’s on the field, Detroit is in good hands.
Offensive guard
Starters: Jonah Jackson (LG), Graham Glasgow (RG)
Backups: Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Logan Stenberg
In the hunt: Ross Pierschbacher, Kayode Awosika
Jackson is solid at left guard, but Glasgow and Vaitai may compete for the spot on the right side. The Lions brought Glasgow back on a one-year deal, and he will push for the starting spot.
Vaitai remains a Lion despite questions about his future. Detroit could free up cap space by releasing him, so he’s worth keeping an eye on throughout the offseason.
Offensive tackle
Starters: Taylor Decker (LT), Penei Sewell (RT)
Backups: Matt Nelson
In the hunt: Obinna Eze, Darrin Paulo
Sewell and Decker have been a rock-steady tandem. They’ve been successful in book-ending Detroit’s offensive line.
Behind them, Nelson offers a reliable depth presence. Detroit won’t need to make many moves at this position, though a backup could be brought in to compete with Nelson behind the two starters.
Defensive tackle
Starters: Isaiah Buggs, Alim McNeill
Backups: Benito Jones, Levi Onwuzurike
In the hunt: Demetrius Taylor
Detroit committed to Buggs with a two-year contract, which was well-earned. McNeill continues to grow through two seasons as a pro. Behind them, though, it’s uncertain.
Jones was a decent player in his first year with Detroit, while Onwuzurike missed the entire season with an injury. This remains an area of need for Holmes and company, one that could be addressed through the draft.
EDGE
Starters: Aidan Hutchinson, James Houston
Backups: John Cominsky, Romeo Okwara
In the hunt: Charles Harris, Julian Okwara, Josh Paschal
Hutchinson and Houston give the Lions an exciting tandem of young rushers. Cominsky offers a good change of pace with multi-positional versatility.
Romeo Okwara is looking to reclaim a role in Detroit’s defense, after a solid showing in his return from injury. He and Charles Harris both restructured their contracts to remain Lions, demonstrating the value they place on being with the team.
The Lions are still figuring out what they have in Paschal, who had limited production after an injury cost him most of training camp.
Linebacker
Starters: Alex Anzalone, Malcolm Rodriguez
Backups: Derrick Barnes, Jalen Reeves-Maybin
In the hunt: Anthony Pittman
Rodriguez was the team’s training camp darling, working his way from being picked in the sixth round to becoming an every-down player as a rookie. Strides are expected in year two, as he’ll be looked at as a leader on the defense.
Anzalone, meanwhile, earned a three-year extension after the best season of his career. His leadership and steady play will both be massive assets to the defensive unit. Barnes is a developmental piece who is entering a crucial third season.
Cornerback
Starters: Cameron Sutton, Emmanuel Moseley
Backups: Jeff Okudah, Jerry Jacobs
In the hunt: Chase Lucas, Mac McCain III, Jarren Williams, Khalil Dorsey
Sutton and Moseley could give Detroit a tandem of brand-new starters at this position. In particular, Sutton is a bonafide starter who is the most polished of the corners on Detroit's roster.
If Moseley can heal efficiently from a torn ACL suffered in Week 5 of last season, he’ll push Okudah for the second starting spot. Don’t count out the Ohio State product, though, as last season was effectively his rookie campaign after injuries hampered his first two years.
Jacobs was effective in spurts for Detroit’s defense last season. The presence of Sutton and Moseley will help to rectify the group, with Detroit’s younger options still competing for playing time.
Nickel
Starter: C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Backup: Will Harris
Gardner-Johnson is reuniting with his former secondary coach, Aaron Glenn, in an effort to bolster Detroit’s defense. He’s a massive addition, as his knack for creating turnovers and filling run lanes will be a massive asset.
Harris is back on a one-year deal. His usage will be intriguing to monitor, as he could spell others at the cornerback position and contribute at the nickel spot.
Safety
Starters: Kerby Joseph, Tracy Walker III
Backup: Ifeatu Melifonwu, C.J. Moore
In the hunt: Brady Breeze
Perhaps no player took better advantage of their opportunity than Joseph, who showed off his ability to generate turnovers when he took over for the injured Walker.
When Walker returns from a torn Achilles, he should slot in next to Joseph. Both are free safeties by trade, though. So, the dynamic between the two will be something to keep tabs on.
Melifonwu was up and down in his limited opportunities. He could help the team in the box-safety role with some development.
Special teams
Kicker: Michael Badgley
Punter: Jack Fox
Long Snapper: Scott Daly, Jake McQuaide
Badgley re-signed on a one-year contract, so he’s safe for now. That could change if Detroit adds another boot heading into training camp. Fox is one of the league’s best punters, and McQuaide was brought in to compete with Daly for the starting long-snapper role.
