Detroit Lions' Training Camp Depth Chart

A first look at the Lions' potential depth chart early in 2023 training camp.

The Detroit Lions are wrapping up their first week of training camp. 

Dan Campbell's team is quickly ramping up the intensity, with the intent of being prepared for the Sept. 7 regular season opener. 

With the first preseason game on the horizon, here is the first look at what the Lions' depth chart could look like when the regular season begins. 

Quarterback

• Starter: Jared Goff
• Backup: Nate Sudfeld
• Reserve: Adrian Martinez
• NFI: Hendon Hooker

This one is set for now. With reports of continued interest in veteran Teddy Bridgewater, though, a shake-up could be coming. 

Martinez and Sudfeld will likely get the bulk of snaps in preseason games, barring any changes to the roster. 

Running back

• Starter: David Montgomery, Jason Cabinda (Fullback)
• Backup: Jahmyr Gibbs
• Reserves: Justin Jackson, Jermar Jefferson, Craig Reynolds, Mohamed Ibrahim

Jackson returned on Saturday, after staying in contact with the staff throughout the offseason. He's the front-runner to be the third back, unless either of the three behind him can put together a strong camp. 

Wide Receiver

• Starters: Josh Reynolds, Amon-Ra St. Brown (Slot), Marvin Jones Jr.
• Backups: Denzel Mims, Kalif Raymond (Slot), Antoine Green
• Reserves: Trinity Benson, Maurice Alexander, Tom Kennedy, Chase Cota, Dylan Drummond
• Suspended: Jameson Williams (Six games)

Jones is currently on NFI, but his injury hasn't seemed to concern Campbell. We'll pencil him in as the starter, though Mims will be a big contributor (if the Lions can unlock his potential). 

Green has also impressed, and should have the edge on Benson and Alexander. Special teams will be a key factor in deciding the final roster spots at this position. 

Tight ends

• Starter: Sam LaPorta
• Backup: Brock Wright
• Reserves: James Mitchell, Shane Zylstra, Derrick Deese Jr.

LaPorta has looked the part of a starting tight end throughout the offseason, and his reps have begun to reflect it. He offers more as a receiver than the incumbent Wright. 

Detroit could keep both Mitchell in Zylstra if it decides to downsize at another position, so that battle is worth monitoring. If only one spot is offered, Mitchell's potential could be the difference. 

Offensive line

• Starters: Taylor Decker (LT), Jonah Jackson (LG), Frank Ragnow (C), Halapoulivaati Vaitai (RG), Penei Sewell (RT)
• Backups: Matt Nelson, Colby Sorsdal, Ross Pierschbacher, Graham Glasgow, Germain Ifedi
• Reserves: Kayode Awosika, Logan Stenberg, Obinna Eze, Brad Cecil, Connor Galvin, Ryan Swoboda

Vaitai and Glasgow have rotated with the first team early in camp at right guard. The veterans should battle throughout camp, assuming both stay healthy. 

Vaitai left practice Tuesday, but assured reporters that he was okay following the session. 

Depth positions are still at large, with Pierschbacher currently leading the charge for second-team center. Sorsdal will duke it out with Awosika and Stenberg, while veterans Nelson and Ifedi are competing to be the team's swing tackle. 

Defensive tackle

• Starters: Alim McNeill, Isaiah Buggs
• Backups: Brodric Martin, Christian Covington
• Reserves: Levi Onwuzurike, Benito Jones, Chris Smith, Corey Durden

McNeill looks the part of a breakout player. He's slimmed down, and should be in play to be a big part of the defense. His snap count will reflect that. 

The second tackle spot could be more of a rotation, with Martin, Covington and a healthy Onwuzurike sharing time with Buggs. The Lions could also deploy a defensive end on the interior, when the team's SAM walks down on the line of scrimmage.

Defensive end/EDGE

• Starters: Aidan Hutchinson (EDGE), John Cominsky (DE)
• Backups: Romeo Okwara, Josh Paschal
• Reserve: Zach Morton

With Charles Harris and James Houston getting more reps at the SAM position, Hutchinson and Okwara should do the bulk of work on the edge. 

Cominsky and Paschal are capable of playing on the interior or on the outside. Morton had a strong spring, and could work his way into roster consideration if he performs strongly in camp. 

Linebackers

• Starters: Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes
• Backups: Jack Campbell, Malcolm Rodriguez
• Reserves: Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Anthony Pittman, Trevor Nowaske

Campbell is behind Barnes currently, but I'm expecting the rookie to demonstrate consistency when the pads come on. His skills and natural length should make him among the top options. 

Barnes will still contribute, as will Rodriguez. The Oklahoma State product received praise for his abilities on special teams, which could be a perfect role for the physical but undersized second-year player. 

SAM Linebacker

• Starter: Charles Harris
• Backup: James Houston
• Reserve: Julian Okwara

Cornerback

• Starters: Cam Sutton, Jerry Jacobs
• Backups: Chase Lucas, Starling Thomas V
• Reserves: Khalil Dorsey, Steven Gilmore, Jarren William
• PUP List: Emmanuel Moseley

Moseley won't be rushed back into the fold, as the Lions have already sent him to the PUP list to begin camp. This opens the door for Jacobs to claim the spot opposite Cam Sutton. 

Thomas has already emerged with his special teams ability, which will make him viable in the cornerback rotation. 

Nickel

• Starter: C.J. Gardner-Johnson
• Backup: Will Harris
• Reserve: Brian Branch

The Lions could breathe a sigh of relief after Gardner-Johnson's MRI came back clean. Harris has the inside track as the backup, but Branch will play a role of some sort early in his rookie season. 

Safety

• Starters: Tracy Walker, Kerby Joseph
• Backup: Ifeatu Melifonwu
• Reserves: Saivion Smith, Brady Breeze, Brandon Joseph

If Branch can't beat out Harris at nickel, he'll join the fold at this position and compete with Melifonwu. 

Don't rule out Smith, either, who had a strong camp last year. He was added to the active roster and was set to play a role in 2022, before suffering an unfortunate neck injury. 

Specialists

• Kicker: Riley Patterson
• Punter: Jack Fox
• Long Snapper: Jake McQuaide

Campbell gave the edge to Patterson in the kicking battle, so he's the winner up to this point. Romo's strong leg will give him a chance.