The Week 1 Depth Chart Is Not the Thanksgiving Depth Chart
We spend all summer arguing over who starts Week 1 like it means something permanent. Like the depth chart in September is written in stone and not pencil. Spoiler: it’s not.
The truth is some guys start the season because they’re veterans, because they know the system, because they’re safe. And then the season happens. Rookies get reps. Young players flash. Someone gets exposed. By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, the lineup can look different.
Here are three projected Week 1 starters who probably won’t be starting by Thanksgiving.
D.J. Wonnum
Wonnum is projected to start at the beginning of the season, likely playing early downs during drives. The run-stopping downs like first and second, and then rookie Derrick Moore comes in as a pass rush specialist early.
The plan is pretty obvious. Moore takes time to work on his edge-setting game and get better against the run, and by Thanksgiving, the Lions should feel pretty comfortable with where he is. His game should be more balanced by then, the snaps start to change, and Moore sees more time on the field.
This is not a knock on Wonnum. It’s just how rookie development works when you believe a player can be a difference maker.
Malcolm Rodriguez
Rodriguez might not even make it to Week 1 as the starter if rookie Jimm Rolder keeps looking as good as he did during OTAs and minicamp. But let’s say the Lions play it cautious and start the veteran early in the season.
Rolder is going to push for playing time quickly. Maybe before Thanksgiving. Maybe well before Thanksgiving. Rodriguez is a solid depth piece and a high effort player, but if Rolder is who the Lions think he is, the job will be his sooner rather than later.
Roger McCreary
This one comes with a big maybe because McCreary has actually looked really good. Kelvin Sheppard has mentioned him multiple times in a positive light, and he’s turning heads at the Meijer Performance Center.
But McCreary is on a one year deal. Keith Abney, the fifth round draft pick, is the future at slot corner for this team. If Abney rises up and proves he can handle it, the Lions are going to play him.
Of the three predictions here, this is the shakiest. McCreary might hold the job all season. But Abney has the talent to steal it.
So which one of these guys are you most confident will lose their starting spot by turkey day? Or do you think I’m completely wrong and all three hold their jobs through November? Let me know below.
This is exactly what I want to see from this front office. They’re actually thinking about development and long-term building instead of just plugging holes. Moore, Rolder, and Abney are the future and I’m pumped that Campbell and Holmes are willing to play the long game here.
I get what you’re saying but Rodriguez looked solid last year and I’m not ready to crown a rookie linebacker just because of OTAs. We’ve seen this movie before where draft picks look great in practice and struggle when the lights are on. Let’s actually see Rolder play some real snaps first.
Man it’s refreshing to see this organization actually investing in young talent and not just throwing money at vets who can’t cut it anymore. This is how you build something real. The way Holmes and Campbell are approaching this is night and day from what we suffered through before.
McCreary’s the wild card here but honestly if Abney is that talented then we gotta see it. That’s the kind of decision making that gets us somewhere. Love that we’re not just letting proven guys ride out their deals if the younger guy is legit.