As free agency winds down and focus on the draft intensifies, here’s a look at what the Detroit Lions lineup would look like if the season started now.
QUARTERBACK:
Starter: Matthew Stafford
Primary Backup: Kellen Moore/TBD
Quick analysis: Stafford is going to be the starter and the main question is whether Moore can be the viable No. 2. The Lions don’t appear to be convinced of that, and if the team signs a veteran, Moore could be in trouble for a roster spot.
RUNNING BACK:
Starter: Reggie Bush/Joique Bell
Primary Backups: Theo Riddick/Mikel Leshoure
Depth: Steven Miller
Quick analysis: As of now, running back is the most stable position on the roster. Bush and Bell are both capable starters. Leshoure has played well in the past when he received opportunities, but didn’t last season. Riddick was mostly a special teams player last season.
FULLBACK:
Starter: Jed Collins
Backup: Montell Owens
Quick analysis: Tough to see both players making the roster. Owens is probably the more versatile of the two but Collins is the truer fullback and has familiarity with Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.
WIDE RECEIVER:
Starters: Calvin Johnson/Golden Tate
Primary Backups: Kris Durham/Ryan Broyles/Kevin Ogletree
Depth: Jeremy Ross/Patrick Edwards/Cody Wilson/Corey Fuller
Quick analysis: Johnson and Tate are locked-in starters and the Lions are hoping they are one of the top combinations in the NFL. Finding either a starting slot receiver or an outside receiver -- depending where Tate plays -- is a priority. Durham improved last season and Ogletree provides an outside speed component, but are more useful as veteran depth. Broyles’ ability is based on his recovery from an Achilles injury. Ross developed well last season, but mostly as a returner.
TIGHT END:
Starter: Brandon Pettigrew
Primary Backup: Joseph Fauria
Depth: Michael Williams/Matt Veldman
Quick analysis: The Lions likely add a tight end through the draft, too, meaning at least one of these players won’t be around in the fall. Williams is the real question mark, as he didn’t play at all last season after being put on injured reserve.
LEFT TACKLE:
Starter: Riley Reiff
Primary Backup: LaAdrian Waddle/Corey Hilliard
Quick analysis: Reiff is the starter and if he went down, either Waddle would slide over from the right or Hilliard would come in on the left. The team could add one more player here.
LEFT GUARD:
Starter: Rob Sims
Primary Backup: Rodney Austin
Depth: Darren Keyton
Quick analysis: Sims is the starter entering the final year of his contract. Austin is a developmental project and Keyton was brought back this offseason. Like at tackle, the team could add someone here late if they don’t think Austin could eventually replace Sims.
CENTER:
Starter: Dominic Raiola
Primary Backup: TBD
Depth: Austin/Keyton
Quick analysis: The Lions will probably be looking for their future center in the draft unless they find a cheap, young veteran to sign. Weston Richburg, Tyler Larsen and Gabe Ikard are all possible mid-round names for Detroit to consider.
RIGHT GUARD:
Starter: Larry Warford
Primary Backup: Austin
Depth: Keyton
Quick analysis: As mentioned with left guard, the Lions will likely bring in a guard to provide as depth. Warford is a lock to be the team’s starting right guard.
RIGHT TACKLE:
Starter: LaAdrian Waddle
Primary Backup: Hilliard
Quick analysis: If the team brings in a tackle, it would likely to be to compete on the right side. The only way Reiff gets moved from left tackle back to right or inside to guard is if the team selects a tackle with the No. 10 pick.
DEFENSIVE END:
Starters: Ezekiel Ansah/Jason Jones
Primary Backup: Devin Taylor/Darryl Tapp
Quick analysis: Ansah, despite his injuries, will be a lock to start as long as he’s healthy. The Jones/Taylor/Tapp competition for the spot opposite Ansah will be one of the more intriguing battles in camp. Don’t be surprised if Detroit goes after a pass-rusher in the draft to try and replicate last season’s Ansah/Taylor successes.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE:
Starters: Ndamukong Suh/Nick Fairley
Primary Backups: C.J. Mosley/Andre Fluellen
Depth: Corvey Irvin/Vaughn Martin/Jimmy Saddler-McQueen/Xavier Proctor
Quick analysis: While Detroit would appear set here, that is only a short-term solution. Only Saddler-McQueen and Proctor -- practice squad players last season -- will be under contract for 2015. So the Lions will have holes to fill there and could do so early in May’s draft. If the team drafts a tackle high, it could mean Suh or Fairley -- or both -- will likely not return after next season.
LINEBACKER:
Starters: DeAndre Levy/Stephen Tulloch/Ashlee Palmer
Primary Backups: Tahir Whitehead/Travis Lewis
Quick analysis: Other than Levy and Tulloch, there are a lot of unproven players and a reason Detroit might look at linebacker at No. 10 if Anthony Barr is available. If the Lions play more 4-3 than nickel in 2014, the team is very thin at this position.
CORNERBACK:
Starters: Chris Houston/Darius Slay/Bill Bentley (nickel)
Primary Backups: Bentley/Jonte Green/Chris Greenwood
Quick analysis: This is a big offseason for Detroit’s cornerbacks. Other than Houston, none have significant experience, but are all entering their second and third seasons, so they need to show they are capable or the team will move on to the next group of corners. Detroit will explore this position somewhere in the draft, possibly early.
SAFETY:
Starters: Glover Quin/James Ihedigbo
Primary Backups: Isa Abdul-Quddus/Don Carey
Depth: Dejon Gomes/Akwasi Owusu-Ansah
Quick analysis: Quin and Ihedigbo are going to be the starters and Carey will push Bentley for time at nickel. Abdul-Quddus is intriguing because he is both a good teams player and played some safety in New Orleans. Much like corner, this is still a position the Lions could draft early – perhaps one they probably should.
SPECIALISTS:
Kicker: TBD
Punter: Sam Martin
Long snapper: Don Muhlbach
Quick analysis: Martin and Muhlbach are set. The kicking competition, for now, will be between John Potter and Giorgio Tavecchio. The team could bring a third kicker in as well to compete for the role