The current iteration of the Detroit Lions feels a bit stripped for parts.
Their offense is fine, with the benefit of already having an established franchise quarterback, franchise wide receiver, and franchise running back. Their offensive line still needs work, specifically at the tackle position, but the draft could offer a solution there if Detroit's really high on a prospect in the first or second round.
Could that also be their logic as it pertains to this year's edge class? It sure better be, considering the very little work they've done to address their defensive line this offseason. Roy Lopez and Al-Quadin Muhammad are gone, while they've also lost Alex Anzalone as an additional sack threat. And, who knows if DJ Reader, another free agent defensive tackle, sticks around?
Through just one week of free agency, let's take stock of the Lions' depth chart courtesy ESPN.
Lions' depth chart is a bit of a head-scratcher
Offense
Quarterback:
Jared Goff
Teddy Bridgewater
The Lions signed Bridgewater to a new deal, bringing back the former Lions backup to, presumably, be a stabilizing voice on offense in yet another new system under another new offensive coordinator. If he's actually Detroit's answer at QB2 after losing Kyle Allen, well, that's a little confusing.
With how shaky the Lions' blindside is right now, it might not be a great idea to have Bridgewater be their only solution if Goff goes down with injury. We expect the team to add another quarterback for competition in training camp and the preseason, likely late in the draft.
Running back:
Jahmyr Gibbs
Isiah Pacheco
Sione Vaki
Jacob Saylors
So far, so good for the Lions' running back room at RB1 and RB2. If Pacheco can re-gain his explosiveness from his rookie and second years with the Kansas City Chiefs, then Detroit's going to look genius for being able to bring him into the fold on such a cheap deal. If not, then, no harm, no foul.
Behind those two atop the chart, we can get a little wary. Vaki has shown nothing to warrant being ahead of Saylors on the Lions' depth chart, and that will probably change. The former UFL star was a solid returner for Detroit in 2025, and has shown some stuff in preseason as a running back who can get some tough yardage. Vaki, not so much.
The draft, again, is one avenue we expect the Lions to use to address this room.
Wide receiver:
Amon-Ra St. Brown
Jameson Williams
Isaac TeSlaa
Dominic Lovett
Jackson Meeks
Malik Cunningham
Tom Kennedy
The top of this depth chart is sound. The backend needs to show something in camp and preseason to solidify their spots on this roster as backups to those starters. Lovett and Meeks could also be competing for a role with the Lions' special teams unit after the team lost Kalif Raymond to the Chicago Bears. Same goes for Kennedy.
Tight end:
Sam LaPorta
Brock Wright
Tyler Conklin
Zach Horton
LaPorta's injury from last season will be a big storyline headed into training camp and the preseason simply because back injuries can be so fickle. There's been no indication that he won't be ready to go for the 2026 season, and that's a good sign. The Lions, and Goff, need him back on the field for his blocking and as a strong receiving option whenever Williams and St. Brown are draped in coverage.
Wright showed some stuff last season when LaPorta had gone down with injury, but then he got hurt, putting a top to any of his momentum. The Lions did add some insurance here in free agency, signing Tyler Conklin to a one-year deal. It is, however, difficult to see him surpassing Wright given his recent stop with the Chargers.
Left tackle:
Larry Borom
Devin Cochran
Borom has, as of the time of this publishing, been the only left tackle signing for the Lions that could feasibly start there. That would probably warrant some questionable results, with recent stops for Borom in Miami and Chicago not going very well.
Still, the Michigan kid is a decent depth signing for Detroit as they presumably go on the hunt for a starter at the position either in the draft or in free agency. And, he sure sounds pumped to be playing in his hometown, and there could be a nice boost to his productivity and confidence off that alone.
Left guard:
Christian Mahogany
Juice Scruggs
We didn't get a great look at Mahogany last season due to injury, so it's unfair to say that he's lost his opportunity to compete for the starting job at left guard in training camp. He's only 25 years old, and honestly looked fine once he and Tate Ratledge began to esablish some chemistry. But, without decent center play, it was tough for him to look any better than "decent."
Perhaps Scruggs offers some real competition this offseason, but it does feel like Detroit needs an extra man at that spot to add even more looks for Hank Fraley to parse through ahead of the season. The draft, again, offers a decent pathway there.
Center:
Cade Mays
Michael Niese
Seth McLaughlin
Mays has been the Lions' big-ticket signing of free agency so far. The former Carolina Panthers lineman recently transitioned to center, and he looked really good for Carolina last season in relief of Austin Corbett. He didn't allow a single sack, and got a taste of postseason action against a pretty formidable Rams defensive line.
It'd still be great if Detroit could add here, although Scruggs has experience playing center. A name to watch in the draft is Connor Lew.
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Right guard:
Tate Ratledge
Miles Frazier
Colby Sorsdal
This might be the Lions' best room along their line if Frazier manages to impress in camp. He had limited snaps in 2025 due to injury, showing up towards the end of the season, but he looked decent. Him coming into his own could answer a lot of depth questions for the Lions along the line, even at left guard if Mahogany doesn't improve.
Right tackle:
Penei Sewell
Giovanni Manu
Mason Miller
Unsure why Manu is listed here as behind Sewell, as it feels like the Lions see him more as a potential succession plan to Decker's old spot at left tackle. But, with or without him, the Lions should be looking to add more help here. Borom is a swing tackle who can certaintly back up Sewell at this spot, and might be asked to even start here if Detroit moves Sewell to the left side.