That first look at the Detroit Lions Depth Chart after the draft hits different. You can see the plan. You can see the logic. And after years of this franchise treating roster-building like a dare, that still feels a little strange.
This NFL Draft class feels like a return to form for Brad Holmes. Not flashy for the sake of being flashy, not weird for no reason, just smart work that filled needs and still let value come to Detroit.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Brad Holmes is back to his disciplined best, drafting smart value that fills needs without forcing trades or reaches, making this depth chart feel like real football sense after some weird years.
- Offense stays steady with Goff, St. Brown, Gibbs, LaPorta, and Williams leading, while the O-line gets a boost from Cade Mays at center and Blake Miller at right tackle.
- Defense sees the biggest upgrades, with Derrick Moore lining up opposite Hutchinson on the edge, plus deep secondary options like Keith Abney in the slot and stacked safeties.
- This isn’t hype—it’s a sensible roster with starters, depth, and camp battles that nod to the Lions finally building like a contender.
This draft finally looked clean again
The big takeaway is simple, this looked like a return to form for Brad Holmes. After a 2025 draft that felt weird and a 2024 class that still hasn’t given you what you wanted, this one made a lot more sense the whole way through.
A lot of it came down to discipline. The Lions didn’t need to go throwing picks around like a panicked fantasy manager on draft night. They stayed put, let the board come to them, methodically building the active roster, and it worked.
A few things stand out right away:
- They hit positions of need.
- They still stuck to best player available.
- They didn’t force major trades or obvious reaches.
That’s how good teams build. Not with headlines. With answers.
If you’ve been trying to sort through the full offseason picture, the broader Lions draft coverage and roster analysis looks a lot better once you line it up with this projected depth chart. Free agency didn’t come with fireworks, but paired with the draft, the vision starts to come into focus, especially with the new draft class vying for projected starters spots.
This wasn’t a splashy offseason. It was a sensible one, and Lions fans should know by now that Holmes usually has a reason.
Detroit Lions Depth Chart still runs through the usual suspects
There aren’t a ton of changes on offense, and that’s a good thing. Jared Goff is still your starter. Amon-Ra St. Brown remains a go-to target. Jahmyr Gibbs is still one of the engines in the Running Back room. Sam LaPorta is still a problem for defenses as the primary Tight End. Jameson Williams looks primed for a breakout as a Wide Receiver. Nobody in Detroit is asking this side of the ball to reinvent itself.
The quarterback wrinkle is Luke Altmyer. Don’t talk yourself into “future franchise quarterback” stuff. That’s not the read here. The better comparison is a Taylor Heinicke or C.J. Beathard type, a guy who throws on time, doesn’t make a mess, and can hold down QB2 for a while if he develops right.
Up front is where the real change shows up for the Offensive Line. Penei Sewell anchors the unit at Left Tackle. Cade Mays slides in as the starting center, which makes sense after being the top free-agent addition. At right tackle, Blake Miller gets the early nod over Larry Borom. Some fans wanted to dream on Monroe Freeling, but Miller has four years of starting experience at Clemson, all at right tackle. That’s the kind of profile you can drop into the Offensive Line without holding your breath every snap.
Kendrick Law is another name that feels like a 53-man roster guy even if he isn’t opening day fireworks. Competition for the WR3 spot is open for a Wide Receiver like him. He brings what Maurice Leverett brings as a gunner and return option, but he also gives you gadget-play juice on offense. Greg Dortch probably keeps that role for now, so Law may end up being one of those stash guys after a loud preseason. Jahmyr Gibbs and Jameson Williams will keep defenses honest up top, while Sam LaPorta commands attention underneath.
Then there’s Miles Frazier, who might be one of the more interesting chess pieces on the whole roster. He played guard on both sides at LSU. He played tackle on both sides too. That kind of versatility is why he fits the Lions’ Offensive Line. If Juice Scruggs and Ben Bartch give you decent guard depth, moving Frazier to tackle and grooming him as a future swing option makes a lot of sense. It has a little Evan Brown feel to it, the kind of guy who helps you in more than one spot.
The tough calls are tough for a reason. Giovanni Manu still has traits, but traits don’t keep a roster spot forever. If Miller, Borom, and maybe Frazier are all ahead of him, the runway is getting short. Jacob Saylors is in a similar spot. He gave the Lions a solid kick return option last year, but Greg Dortch and Kendrick Law make that path a lot tighter. Practice squad feels like the cleanest answer there.
The defense is where this roster changed the most
This is the side of the ball where the new depth chart starts talking back. The biggest headline is Derrick Moore lining up opposite Aidan Hutchinson. Finally. The Lions have spent enough time looking for a real answer there, and Moore has a real shot to be it early, especially with Aidan Hutchinson drawing constant double-teams.
And yes, the Wolverines keep showing up. If you’re a Michigan State fan, this part probably feels like a sick joke. If you’re a Lions fan, you can see the logic. That Michigan defense under Jesse Minter produced tough, disciplined players, and Moore stepping into all those one-on-one chances created by Hutchinson’s gravity could pay off fast.
Inside, the projected backups at defensive tackle are Miles Adams and Skyler Gill Howard. Adams looks like the space-eater, run-stuffing type who can help soak up ugly snaps. Gill Howard brings more pass-rush juice. That pairing works, even if it still feels like Detroit could use one more nose tackle body behind Ty Leggett.
Anthony Lucas is the undrafted name to watch on the edge. He can set the edge against the run, and that matters. The pass-rush production hasn’t fully clicked yet, but the tools are there. If this staff gets him to put it together, he could become a useful rotational player in a hurry.
Linebacker still feels a little unfinished. Jack Campbell provides a steady presence in the middle, and Jamie Rolder can play the will spot; he might be the future there, but asking him to own it right out of the gate is a different conversation. Jack Campbell and Malcolm Rodriguez could be the safer early answers. A veteran like Jelani Tavai or Germaine Pratt would also make sense if the Lions want another option. That’s one of those spots where training camp is going to tell the truth.
The secondary is loaded with bodies, especially at cornerback, and one of the best values on the roster might already be Keith Abney. Getting him in the fifth round still feels ridiculous. The knock was size, and that’s about it. He wasn’t hurt. He wasn’t some raw project. A lot of boards had him much higher, and he looks like Detroit’s new starting slot corner with Roger McCreary right there in the mix. Additions like Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. bolster the cornerback room even further from the outside.
Safety is stacked too, even with Brian Branch likely not ready for the start of the season. If Brian Branch misses early time and comes back around week 5 or week 6, the Lions still have answers. Kerby Joseph opens at free safety and brings proven ball skills. Thomas Harper opens at strong safety. Harper already showed last year that claiming him after final cutdowns was a steal.
Then you get to the rest of the room and it gets kind of silly. Chuck Clark has started in this league for years. Christian Izien can move all over the place. Avonte Maddox gives you that same kind of versatility. Dan Jackson looks like a guy who can help fast on special teams. No, this isn’t some cartoon defense full of All-Pros. It is a defense with options, and after what this fan base has lived through, options are beautiful. Kerby Joseph adds that reliable backbone alongside the depth.
The Grit Check
This matters because Lions fans know the smell of fake offseason hype. We’ve all sat through the old garbage. We’ve all heard how some “toolsy” project was about to turn the corner right before he disappeared into the void and took our optimism with him.
This roster projection feels different because it makes football sense. The Lions didn’t build this thing on hope and caffeine. They added starters, added depth, and gave themselves Position Battles in Training Camp that don’t feel like acts of desperation. That’s what real teams do.
The old Lions used to make you squint and talk yourself into nonsense. These Lions make you nod and say, “yeah, I see it.” After 0-16 scars and decades of nonsense, that’s one hell of a change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who starts opposite Aidan Hutchinson on the edge?
Derrick Moore gets the nod, finally giving the Lions a real answer there after years of searching. With Hutchinson drawing doubles, Moore steps into one-on-ones and could pay off quick, thanks to that Michigan grit under Jesse Minter.
What’s the outlook for the offensive line?
Penei Sewell anchors left tackle, Cade Mays slides in at center as the top free-agent add, and Blake Miller earns the early right tackle spot over others with his Clemson starting experience. Versatility from guys like Miles Frazier adds depth without drama.
Is the secondary as deep as it looks?
Absolutely—Keith Abney looks like a steal in the slot, backed by Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr. outside, while safeties are loaded with Kerby Joseph, Thomas Harper, Chuck Clark, and more, giving options even if Brian Branch is slow out of the gate.
Who is Luke Altmyer and what’s his role?
He’s the QB2 behind Jared Goff, more like a reliable backup à la Taylor Heinicke than a franchise savior. Throws on time, doesn’t mess up the pocket, and could hold it down if needed while developing.
Any tough roster cuts coming?
Yeah, guys like Giovanni Manu and Jacob Saylors face short runways with competition ahead—practice squad feels right, keeping that depth without forcing 53-man spots on traits alone.
Where this leaves Detroit
This way too early depth chart won’t be perfect. It never is. Camp will move guys around, injuries will change plans, and somebody we aren’t talking about yet will make noise.
But the outline is strong, and that’s the point. You can see the projected starters. You can see the depth. Free agents have rounded out the team, even on special teams where Jake Bates and Jack Fox are set for a kicker and punter competition. You can see why this offseason feels better now than it did when everybody was screaming about the lack of splash.
The core, featuring Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown, provides a strong foundation.
So what’s the first early call you’re buying, Blake Miller at right tackle, Keith Abney in the slot, or Derrick Moore eating because Hutchinson gets all the attention?
