ALLEN PARK, Mich. – The Detroit Lions released an "unofficial" depth chart this week. It's tough to read anything into the chart, but does offer some insights into the team and where things are headed. Plus, it's preseason, so what else is there to talk about?
Don't pay much attention to the player order. Ezekiel Ansah is injured, so he was put at the bottom of the defensive ends despite being the clear starter. Also, we lumped some position groups together figuring they'll keep the best players, instead of differentiating between two cornerback or wide receiver positions.
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We're interested to see who sticks among the wide receivers with a solid group competing for four or five spots, and will Jake Rudock hold on as the primary backup?
And, then, of course, there's the uncertain left tackle. No one knows how that's going to play out. Can we even rule out a trade or waiver pickup at this point?
The team made it clear this is an "unofficial" depth chart compiled by its communications staff. Keep that in mind before going too deep into the implications of, say, Alex Barrett over Jeremiah Valoaga. We really don't know where things stand.
Also, a quick note: Rick Wagner was reportedly injured in a scrimmage with the Colts, but he was back on the field Friday.
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks: Matthew Stafford / Jake Rudock / Brad Kaaya
Runningbacks: Ameer Abdullah / Theo Riddick / Zach Zenner / Dwayne Washington / Matt Asiata / Tion Green / Mike James
Wide receivers: Golden Tate / Marvin Jones Jr. / Kenny Golladay / TJ Jones / Jace Billingsley / Jared Abbrederis / Keshawn Martin / Noel Thomas / Michael Rector / Dontez Ford / Dez Stewart
Left tackle: Greg Robinson / Cyrus Kouandijio / Storm Norton
Left guard: Graham Glasgow / Joe Dahl / Brandon Thomas
Center: Travis Swanson / Leo Kolomatangi
Right guard: T.J. Lang / Laken Tomlinson / Matt Rotheram
Right tackle: Rick Wagner / Cornelius Lucas / Nick Becton
Tight end: Eric Ebron / Darren Fells / Cole Wick / Michael Roberts / Khari Lee / Robert Tonyan / Tim Wright
On defense, you've got to like the look of the defensive line, while we're still waiting on two key rookies behind them: first-round middle linebacker Jarrad Davis and second-round cornerback Teez Tabor. Preseason games could be fun just to watch those two show some skills.
DEFENSE
Defensive end: Kerry Hyder Jr. / Anthony Zettel / Cornelius Washington / Armonty Bryant / Pat O'Connor / Alex Barrett / Jeremiah Valoaga / Ezekial Ansah
Defensive tackle: A'Shawn Robinson / Haloti Ngata / Akeem Spence / Khyri Thornton / Jeremiah Ledbetter / Jordan Hill / Ego Ferguson / Bruce Gaston
Outside linebacker: Tahir Whitehead / Antwione Williams / Jalen Reeves-Maybin / Brandon Copeland / Steve Longa / Thurston Armbrister
Middle linebacker: Jarrad Davis / Paul Worrilow / Nick Bellore
Cornerback: Darius Slay / Nevin Lawson / DJ Hayden / Teez Tabor / Johnson Bademosi / Quandre Diggs / Jamal Agnew / Adarius Barnes / Tramain Jacobs / Josh Thornton
Strong safety: Tavon Wilson / Miles Killebrew / Alex Carter
Free safety: Glover Quin / Charles Washington / Don Carey / Rolan Milligan
There's some sort of competition for the kick returner jobs. Jamal Agnew ran one back during the scrimmage at Ford Field, so maybe he's the guy? Who knows.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Place kicker: Matt Prater
Holder: Kasey Redfern
Kickoffs: Matt Prater / Kasey Redfern
Punter: Kasey Redfern / Sam Martin
Long snapper: Don Muhlbach
Punt returner: Golden Tate / TJ Jones / Jamal Agnew / Keshawn Martin / Jace Billingsley / Jared Abbrederis
Kick returner: Dwayne Washington / TJ Jones / Jamal Agnew / Keshawn Martin / Jace Billingsley / Jared Abbrederis
We'll update the depth chart throughout the camp. Anything interesting you see in the list? Let us know in the comments.