As the Detroit Lions prepare for their first preseason game of the year against the Cincinnati Bengals, the team has officially released its unofficial depth chart, and there are a few things that immediately stand out.
While the depth chart can change at any time and doesn’t mean much this early in the preseason, it still provides some insight into where certain players currently stand and what head coach Dan Campbell and his staff could be thinking heading into the regular season.
Offense
The first thing that jumps out is the offensive line.
At left guard, the Lions currently have Juice Scruggs listed as the starter ahead of last year’s starter, Christian Mahogany. Scruggs wasn’t even on the roster last season and arrived in Detroit from the Houston Texans in the David Montgomery trade. A former second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Scruggs appeared in 37 games for Houston while making 20 starts.
Mahogany, meanwhile, started 11 games last season after missing six games because of a fractured fibula. His performance dipped from his rookie season, and he never appeared to fully recover from the injury.
If Scruggs ultimately wins the starting job, it would make the Montgomery trade even more valuable for Detroit.
The offensive line has another surprise at right tackle, where veteran Larry Borom is currently listed ahead of rookie first-round pick Blake Miller.
Miller is expected to receive an extended opportunity during the preseason, giving him a chance to show the coaching staff that he deserves to start Week 1. How he performs against Cincinnati could go a long way toward determining whether he can eventually overtake Borom.
With Cade Mays expected to miss roughly 8 to 10 weeks because of a wrist injury, Michael Niese is currently listed as the backup center, with second-year undrafted player Seth McLaughlin behind him. McLaughlin won the Rimington Trophy while at Ohio State in 2024 before going undrafted in 2025.
Ben Bartch is currently listed as the backup to Tate Ratledge. I like this spot for Bartch because of his versatility as an offensive lineman. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him take on a role similar to the one Dan Skipper previously held as Detroit’s sixth offensive lineman.
Another player worth watching is Miles Frazier, who is listed as the third-string left guard. Frazier was a fifth-round pick the Lions traded up to select in the 2025 NFL Draft, and it feels like his opportunity is beginning to slip away. He’ll need a strong preseason to make a push for a roster spot.
At wide receiver, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Isaac TeSlaa appear to be the top three wide receivers. Detroit will likely keep at least two more receivers, potentially three.
The next group includes Dominic Lovett, who is listed behind Williams, Greg Dortch, who is behind St. Brown, and veteran Cedrick Wilson Jr.
Tom Kennedy, the longtime journeyman and Lions practice-squad favorite, could be the odd man out. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if Kennedy finds a way onto the roster. He’s a strong locker-room presence, has been with the organization longer than anyone currently on the roster and can contribute on special teams.
At quarterback, Luke Altmyer is currently listed as QB2 despite being an undrafted rookie. However, there is some important context.
Altmyer initially entered camp as the third quarterback behind Jared Goff and Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater recently retired and was placed on the reserve/retired list, prompting Detroit to sign veteran Josh Dobbs.
Given Dobbs’ NFL experience, there’s a good chance he’ll eventually climb the depth chart. However, a strong preseason from Altmyer could make the quarterback competition more interesting than expected.
Overall, the unofficial depth chart is simply a snapshot of where things currently stand. Nothing is set in stone, and the Lions still have plenty of time to evaluate their roster before making their final decisions.
Thursday’s preseason opener against the Bengals will give several players their first opportunity to compete against another team, and strong performances could lead to some significant movement on the depth chart.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Detroit’s unofficial depth chart look considerably different after the first preseason game.
Leave a Comment