Training Camp Is Almost Here and the Depth Chart Questions Are Already Wild
Training camp opens this week and everyone who shows up at Allen Park is going to be watching the same thing on day one. Who is running with the first team. Who is running with the second team. Who is getting squeezed out completely.
The source article laid out projections for both units and honestly some of it is pretty straightforward. Jared Goff is QB1. Penei Sewell is at left tackle. Jahmyr Gibbs is your starting running back. Aidan Hutchinson is going to terrorize quarterbacks from the edge. None of that is a surprise.
The First Team Offense Is Mostly Set
On offense the projection has Isaac TeSlaa at left wide receiver, Jameson Williams on the right, and Amon-Ra St. Brown in the slot. The offensive line goes Sewell at left tackle, Christian Mahogany at left guard, Cade Mays at center, Tate Ratledge at right guard, and Blake Miller at right tackle. Sam LaPorta at tight end. Gibbs in the backfield.
That is your base offense and it should surprise exactly no one.
The First Team Defense Has One Legit Question Mark
On defense the projection has Hutchinson at left edge, Tyleik Williams at nose tackle, Alim McNeill at defensive tackle, and D.J. Wonnum at right edge. Linebackers are Jimmy Rolder at weak side, Jack Campbell at middle, and Derrick Barnes at strong side. Secondary is Rock Ya-Sin at left corner, Thomas Harper at strong safety, Kerby Joseph at free safety, D.J. Reed at right corner, and Roger McCreary in the nickel.
The only real swing here is putting rookie Jimmy Rolder on the first team right out of the gate. He was taking first team reps during OTAs and minicamp so this is not completely out of nowhere. The Lions need to replace Alex Anzalone and Rolder is the guy they are betting on. Whether that bet pays off is one of the bigger questions heading into camp.
The other note is Wonnum starting at edge instead of Derrick Moore. The source says the Lions want to develop Moore’s run stuffing game before throwing him into a starting role. That makes sense. Moore will get plenty of first team reps but Wonnum is projected as the week one starter.
With Brian Branch not likely to be at camp on day one, Thomas Harper gets the first team safety spot. The source believes Harper is going to be a big part of this team in 2026.
The Second Team Is Where Things Get Interesting
On offense the second team projection has Cedrick Willis at left receiver, Tom Kennedy on the right, Greg Dortch in the slot. The line is Devin Cochran at left tackle, Ben Bartch at left guard, Juice Scruggs at center, Miles Frazier at right guard, and Larry Borom at right tackle. Tyler Conklin at tight end. Teddy Bridgewater at quarterback. Isiah Pacheco at running back.
On defense it is Ahmed Hassanein at left edge, Skyler Gill-Howard and Tyler Lacy at the defensive tackle spots, Derrick Moore at right edge. Malcolm Rodriguez at weak side linebacker, Damone Clark at middle, Trevor Nowaske at strong side. Ennis Rakestraw at left corner, Christian Izien at strong safety, Chuck Clark at free safety, Khalil Dorsey at right corner, and Keith Abney or Avonte Maddox in the nickel.
This group has a lot of guys who could push for first team reps. Ennis Rakestraw has a real shot to beat out Ya-Sin if he stays healthy. Veteran Chuck Clark could challenge for Branch’s spot early and the source says do not be surprised if there is a lot of mixing at safety. Ben Bartch is another guy who could work his way into first team reps at left guard because that job is wide open.
Skyler Gill-Howard is drawing a ton of hype for his athletic ability and pass rush juice but the source notes his sample size at Texas Tech was so small we have to see more before crowning him anything.
The Work-In Guys Are Not Afterthoughts
The source also listed out the work-in guys. These are not players who are forgotten or left out. They are going to rotate into the second team and some might even get first team reps. They will also get chances on special teams. Everyone gets a shot to earn a roster spot.
The names to watch from this group according to the source: Sione Vaki, Luke Altmyer, Nick Whiteside, Levi Onwuzurike, Mekhi Wingo, Giovanni Manu, Payton Turner, Jackson Meeks, and Miles Kitselman.
Camp opens this week and by the end of it we will know a lot more about this roster than we do right now. Brad Holmes has built depth in places this franchise has not had it in decades. Now we get to watch Dan Campbell and his staff figure out how to deploy it.
Who are you most excited to watch when camp opens? Drop your take below.
