The Detroit Lions have released their first unofficial depth chart of the 2023 preseason in advance of Friday night’s home exhibition game with the New York Giants.
The point that it’s an unofficial depth chart must be reiterated. This is compiled by the team’s media staff with some input from coaches. Released on Tuesday, the depth chart offers a look at how the team perceives the roster.
From the Lions:
There are a few things that are notable on the depth chart.
First, the injured players are at the bottom of their positions. That would be rookie QB Hendon Hooker and CB Emmanuel Moseley, both of whom are not cleared to practice.
The newcomers to the team all have some work to do to climb the depth chart Signed on Monday, OL Bobby Hart begins as the No. 5 left tackle. Hart played guard in his first practice on Tuesday. CB Tae Hayes and WR Avery Davis, both added over the weekend, are also last at their respective positions. Hayes did advance as high as the second-team defense in the first joint practice against the Giants and acquitted himself nicely there.
The Okwara brothers have an interesting status. Julian is listed as the third-team DE and Romeo on the fourth line. But that has not been reflected at all in practices; Romeo often gets reps with the second team, while Julian is almost exclusively relegated to the final unit.
Second-year CB Chase Lucas moved to the outside and rose to the second team after being buried at the bottom of the nickelback slot most of his rookie year. With Moseley sidelined, the Lions have inserted nearly every available option into the outside CB spots during training camp. Lucas has shown some ball skills and toughness outside that wasn’t coming though so well in the slot.
Marvin Jones being listed as a first-team wideout is somewhat disingenuous. When everyone is active in practice, Jones routinely reps behind both Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond, who are listed on the second-team lines.
The only other real discrepancy on the offense, aside from the deeper IOL depth battles that are still playing out daily in camp, comes at tight end. Rookie Sam LaPorta is the clear No. 1, but he’s listed behind Brock Wright. After the recent Shane Zylstra injury and adding Darrell Daniels and Daniel Heim, that status has been more pronounced.
One last note: QB Teddy Bridgewater has yet to sign with the Lions so he does not appear on the depth chart.
