There are a few surprises on the Lions’ first depth chart of the preseason

The Detroit Lions released their first depth chart of the year on August, 9th.

The First String

Quarterback

Matthew Stafford

Running Backs

Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick

Tight End

Eric Ebron

Wide Receivers

Golden Tate and Marvin Jones

Offensive Line

Left Tackle: Greg Robinson

Left Guard: Graham Glasgow

Center: Travis Swanson

Right Guard: TJ Lang

Right Tackle: Rick Wagner

Defensive Ends

Kerry Hyder Jr. and Anthony Zettel

Defensive Tackles

Haloti Ngata and A’Shawn Robinson

Linebackers

Weakside Linebacker: Tahir Whitehead

Middle Linebacker: Jarrad Davis

Strongside Linebacker: Antwione Williams

Cornerbacks

Darius Slay and Nevin Lawson

Safeties

Glover Quin and Tavon Wilson

Kicker

Matt Prater

Punter

Kasey Redfern

Kickoff Returner

Dwayne Washington

Punt Returner

Golden Tate

The Second String

Quarterback

Jake Rudock

Running Backs

Zach Zenner and Dwayne Washington

Tight End

Darren Fells

Wide Receivers

Kenny Golladay and TJ Jones

Offensive Line

Left Tackle: Cyrus Kouandjio

Left Guard: Joe Dahl

Center: Leo Koloamatangi

Right Guard: Laken Tomlinson

Right Tackle: Cornelius Lucas

Defensive Ends

Cornelius Washington and Armonty Bryant

Defensive Tackles

Akeem Spence and Khyri Thornton

Linebackers

Weakside Linebacker: Jalen Reeves-Maybin

Middle Linebacker: Paul Worrilow

Strongside Linebacker: Brandon Copeland

Cornerbacks

DJ Hayden and Teez Tabor

Safeties

Miles Killebrew and Charles Washington

Kickoff Returner

TJ Jones

Punt Returner

TJ Jones

The Third String

Quarterback

Brad Kaaya

Running Backs

Matt Asiata and Tion Green

Tight End

Cole Wick

Wide Receivers

Jace Billingsley and Jared Abbrederis

Offensive Line

Left Tackle: Storm Norton

Left Guard: Brandon Thomas

Right Guard: Matt Rotheram

Right Tackle: Nick Becton

Defensive Ends

Pat O’Connor and Alex Barrett

Defensive Tackles

Jeremiah Ledbetter and Jordan Hill

Linebackers

Weakside Linebacker: Steve Longa

Middle Linebacker: Nick Bellore

Strongside Linebacker: Thurston Armbrister

Cornerbacks

Johnson Bademosi and Quandre Diggs

Safeties

Alex Carter and Don Carey

Kickoff Returner

Jamal Agnew

Punt Returner

Jamal Agnew

Notes

One of the first things that pop out on this depth chart is the Lions’ base offense: they have two running backs considered starters. Many people expected the Lions ‘base formation to consist of two tight ends, one running back and two receivers, but this depth chart suggests otherwise.

Greg Robinson is listed as the starter at left tackle over Cyrus Kouandjio, so it appears that Robinson will have the first shot at winning the position.

Golden Tate is listed as the primary punt returner. He has returned punts for the Lions in the past but did not at all last season.

Anthony Zettel is listed as a starting defensive end. Ansah is out for the first game, so this indicates that Zettel will be the primary backup at defensive end and is ahead of guys like Armonty Bryant and Cornelius Washington.

Antwione Williams, a sixth round pick from 2016, is listed as a starting linebacker. This means that he has passed Paul Worrilow on the depth chart.

Khyri Thornton is still ahead of Jordan Hill on the depth chart despite being suspended for the first part of the season.

Teez Tabor is a second string cornerback, which means he has passed both Johnson Bademosi and Quandre Diggs on the depth chart.

Charles Washington is the second string free safety. Alex Carter converted to free safety earlier this offseason to try and find a spot on the Lions roster, but he is now stuck behind Washington.

Jamal Agnew is the third string kick off and punt returner. Many had him as a favorite to earn the first string job at both positions, but he will have to prove himself through the rest of training camp and preseason.

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