A team is only as good as its weakest link. With roster cuts on their way, the Detroit Lions will have to determine which players on their roster are reliable enough to claim a spot on the 53-man roster.
The Lions played four preseason games in 2025, presenting the coaching staff additional tape to help them render a decision. At this point, many—if not all—of the starting positions are solidified. The only question marks for the Lions are regarding their depth chart.
Which players are worth keeping around as insurance? Which players can contribute on special teams? Which players can develop into a future starter? The Lions will have weighed questions like these when the roster cuts are announced. There may be additional moves in the coming days (late signings, waiver claims, trades, so on), but a majority of the Lions’ roster is already set in stone—they just have to decide which parts of the stone to keep.
Today’s Question of the Day is:
Are you satisfied with the Detroit Lions’ depth?
My answer: Yes.
The Lions put together a poor 1-3 preseason, but that record does not illustrate the actual status of the Lions’ roster. Of the dozens of players that lined up on either side of the ball in preseason, only a fraction of them will actually make the roster, and a lesser amount of those will even have a notable role throughout the regular season.
Fans may be quick to point the finger at last year’s defense, in which the Lions were forced to scavenge the league for last-minute substitutes. While the Lions undoubtedly lacked the depth to navigate all of those injuries, it is worth remembering that almost no NFL team can prepare for an injury wave like that. Not only did the Lions have to sign players like Jonah Williams or Ezekiel Turner from practice squads, but they actually needed them to contribute right away—and not just on special teams.
If we project a reasonable amount of injuries over the course of the season, I feel confident in a majority of the depth:
- Quarterback: If 90 percent of NFL teams lose their starting quarterback, they are in a bad situation. The Lions with Jared Goff and Kyle Allen are firmly in that range, but Allen at least put together a near-perfect preseason—what more can you ask from a backup?
- Running back: The injury status of Sione Vaki aside, the Lions are set up well with Vaki and Craig Reynolds in reserve. Plus, having a 1A and 1B in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery already gives the Lions a lead back if the other goes down.
- Wide receiver: The receivers really shined in preseason, and some combination of youngsters Isaac TeSlaa, Dominic Lovett, and Jackson Meeks could very realistically have a role before long. Plus, the veterans Kalif Raymond and Tim Patrick (barring a shocking cut or trade) are capable contributors as well.
- Tight end: I’m not in love with the depth of Brock Wright and Shane Zylstra, but few teams have two elite tight ends in the first place. The Lions could tread water with this group.
- Offensive tackle: Much like tight end, it is difficult to get a top-tier backup tackle, since they usually end up starting elsewhere. Dan Skipper is a fairly reliable veteran, while Giovanni Manu is still in development but making strides.
- Offensive interior: You could argue that there are more question marks with the starters than the depth. The Lions will likely roll with at least three of Kayode Awosika, Kingsley Eguakun, Miles Frazier, Netane Muti, Michael Niese, and Trystan Colon. For a reserve group, that’s a pretty good list of names.
- Defensive end: Losing Ahmed Hassanein and Josh Paschal’s uncertain status are each a concern, without question. However, Al-Quadin Muhammad quietly had a phenomenal preseason, while Nate Lynn recorded one of the highest PFF pass rushing grades this preseason. Sprinkle in help from the interior (and perhaps a certain veteran?), the group is not great, but not awful. This is my biggest question mark.
- Defensive tackle: Even without Alim McNeill, this group is stacked. DJ Reader, Tyleik Williams, Roy Lopez, Mekhi Wingo, and Pat O’Connor? That’s a solid bunch of players.
- Linebacker: Even without Malcolm Rodriguez, this group is stacked. Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Grant Stuard, Zach Cunningham, and Trevor Nowaske? That’s a solid bunch of players.
- Defensive back: Flexibility is the name of the game for the Lions’ secondary. The starting cornerbacks and safeties are set in stone, but between Avonte Maddox, Rock Ya-Sin, and Erick Hallett, the Lions are getting some versatility at almost any defensive back spot. Mix in a safety like Ian Kennelly or Loren Strickland, it is a very serviceable depth chart.
In the event of an injury, the Lions have a safety net in the form of an elite starting roster. The Lions may have struggled in preseason, but they will never be trotting out the entire second-team lineup. Detroit has a mix of wily veterans and talented young players to make up for most injury substitutions that will arise. Would I love to see a better defensive end depth chart? Sure. Could the Lions have gotten a quarterback with better starting experience? Probably. Yet as a whole, I am satisfied with the current depth chart. The Lions have pieces to work with at multiple positions.
Your turn.
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