Updated Lions Depth Chart After Preseason Week 2

The Detroit Lions roster hopefuls will have one more opportunity to impress the coaching staff.

Saturday marked the second of three preseason games for the Lions this year, with the finale coming Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts. Roster cuts will have to be made shortly thereafter, so time is running out for players to impress the coaches and front office.

However, some have used their opportunities nicely through the first two preseason games. As a result, some changes have been made to the depth chart.

Here is an updated depth chart prediction for the Lions after their second preseason game.

Quarterback

Starter: Jared Goff.
Backup: Josh Dobbs.
Reserve: Luke Altmyer.

The Lions' backup competition will carry into the preseason finale. Dobbs has the upper hand with his mobility and his knowledge of the system dating back to his time in Drew Petzing's offense in Arizona, but Altmyer has caught the eye of the coaching staff and won't go down without a fight.

Running back

Starter: Jahmyr Gibbs.
Backup: Isiah Pacheco.
Reserves: Sione Vaki, Jacob Saylors, Trayveon Williams, Raheem Blackshear, Jabari Small.

Pacheco has been injured, and with Gibbs being limited to prepare him for the regular season the Lions have made training camp a showcase of their depth.

Saylors has been the most consistent, but Williams and Blackshear are intriguing experienced veterans. Vaki will also factor into the equation, but he hasn't participated in a preseason game yet.

Wide receivers

Starters: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa.
Backups: Greg Dortch, Tom Kennedy, Tay Martin.
Reserves: Cedrick Wilson Jr., Dominic Lovett, Lucky Jackson, Tarik Black, Malik Cunningham.
Injured: Kendrick Law (IR).

TeSlaa has been up and down throughout camp, and as a result him being the bona fide third wideout isn't as much of a sure thing as it was coming into camp. Dortch figures to be the next player in the mix.

Martin has been brought up plenty by the special teams coordinator for his work in that phase, and as a result he'll be in the mix to make the roster. Wilson is also in that conversation, though his chances may have taken a hit with his injury in Saturday's game.

Tight end

Starter: Sam LaPorta.
Backup: Brock Wright.
Reserves: Tyler Conklin, Jackson Meeks, Zach Horton, Thomas Gordon.

The Lions have some solid depth at this position, as Meeks has proven over the first two preseason games. Wright has a role due to his ability to block, and Conklin is a solid veteran presence. The Lions could keep four at this position if Meeks can contribute on special teams.

Offensive tackle

Starters: Penei Sewell (left), Blake Miller (right).
Backups: Larry Borom, Devin Cochran.
Reserve: Colby Sorsdal.
Injured: Gio Manu (NFI).

Borom has struggled as of late, and his showing in Saturday's game didn't inspire much optimism. The Lions will still likely count on him as the swing tackle in jumbo packages, but Miller appears to be pulling away with the right tackle job.

Offensive guard

Starters: Christian Mahogany (left), Tate Ratledge (right).
Backups: Miles Frazier, Ben Bartch.
Reserves: Mason Miller, Melvin Priestly,

Bartch's injuries throughout camp have hurt his chances of competing for the left tackle job, and possibly even making the roster. Frazier has struggled, but his versatility likely puts him next in line in the event that the Lions deal with another injury. They could also look to add depth here.

Center

Starter: Juice Scruggs.
Backup: Seth McLaughlin.
Reserve: Michael Niese.
Injured: Cade Mays.

With Mays injured, the Lions have started an impromptu competition for the starting spot. Scruggs is the favorite and will get every opportunity to earn the job until Mays returns, but McLaughlin has had some bright moments. If he has interior versatility and could provide depth at guard, he would boost his chances to make the roster.

Interior defensive line

Starters: Tyleik Williams, Alim McNeill.
Backups: Skyler Gill-Howard, Levi Onwuzurike.
Reserves: Tyler Lacy, Chris Smith, Ben Stille, Mekhi Wingo, Tyre West, Myles Adams.

One of the top performers this preseason has been Gill-Howard, who has dominated rushing the passer from the interior. He looks the part of a potential contributor, and has rose up the depth chart as a result. He'll certainly be a player to watch as the regular season begins.

Detroit has some depth questions to short out come final cuts, as all of their reserve options could theoretically contribute in the rotation during the regular season.

EDGE

Starters: Aidan Hutchinson, D.J. Wonnum.
Backups: Derrick Moore, Ahmed Hassanein.
Reserves: Eric O'Neill, Anthony Lucas, Payton Turner.

Turner's stock has dropped dramatically throughout camp, as he hasn't practiced since the first day of camp. Meanwhile, Moore, Hassanein and both undrafted free agents have all made their case at making the roster.

This competition for the final spots will go down to the wire, and whoever doesn't earn a spot could find a new landing spot on an active roster through the waiver process.

Linebackers

Starters: Jack Campbell (MIKE), Derrick Barnes (SAM).
Backups: Devin White, Malcolm Rodriguez.
Reserves: Jimmy Rolder, Trevor Nowaske, Damone Clark, Joe Bachie, Erick Hunter, Troy Reeder, Amen Ogbongbemiga.

It appears as though the Lions may be shifting their base defense to nickel, which would put two linebackers on the field. Still, the competition between White and Rodriguez for the third spot has carried throughout camp even though Rodriguez missed some time with injury.

The Lions have plenty of depth here, and each of the reserves has a case for making the team. Like the EDGE position, those who don't make the cut could find new homes quickly.

Cornerbacks

Starters: D.J. Reed, Rock Ya-Sin, Christian Izien (Nickel).
Backups: Ennis Rakestraw, Roger McCreary,
Reserves: Keith Abney II, Nick Whiteside, Khalil Dorsey, Aamaris Brown, Bump Cooper Jr., Ekow Boye-Doe.

Izien appears to be stepping into first team nickel duties, but Abney and McCreary are both still in the mix. Whiteside's stock has cooled off some, but he still could find his way onto the roster with his work on special teams.

Safeties

Starters: Chuck Clark, Avonte Maddox.
Backups: Thomas Harper, Dan Jackson.
Injured: Kerby Joseph (PUP), Brian Branch (PUP).

Joseph and Branch are both expected to miss the start of the regular season at this point. The team could possibly benefit from another addition at this spot, as they have become thin on depth after Loren Strickland was waived with an injury designation.

Specialists

Kicker: Jake Bates.
Punter: Jack Fox.
Long-snapper: Hogan Hatten.

The Lions still haven't added any competition to this group, and all three appear set in their roles with the regular season approaching quickly.

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