5 Takeaways from Lions' Week 1 Unofficial Depth Chart

Safety depth has improved

The Lions boast one of the top starting safety tandems in the entire NFL with Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. However, since the beginning of training camp, questions have lingered about the depth – or lack thereof – behind them. 

That concern has eased a bit with the arrivals of Thomas Harper and Daniel Thomas. 

Harper, claimed off waivers from the Raiders, was one of the most productive undrafted free agents from last year's rookie class. He recorded a 78.3 Pro Football Focus overall grade, and amassed half a sack, a fumble recovery, an interception, two passes defensed and 26 total tackles in 15 games (five starts).

Meanwhile, Thomas, a 2020 fifth-round pick of the Jaguars, brings immense special teams value. In fact, he’s logged a total of 1,184 special teams snaps the last five seasons, including at least 230 in each of the past four campaigns.

With these additions, the Lions now have a safety room that looks both top-heavy and increasingly dependable in the reserve category.

Lions are all-in on Grant Stuard experiment as kick returner 

One of the more unconventional moves is listing linebacker Grant Stuard as the team’s primary kick returner.

Stuard flashed during the preseason, including nearly returning the opening kickoff for a touchdown against the Texans. 

Additionally, Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp has been impressed with the offseason acquisition's potential as a returner, making him a rare linebacker entrusted with return duties. 

While unusual, Detroit seems all-in on the experiment, hoping Stuard can provide a spark in an area that often plays a major factor in field position battles.

EDGE depth remains thin

Perhaps the biggest concern on the depth chart is the lack of proven depth behind EDGE defenders Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport. 

Hutchinson is already among the league’s elite pass-rushers, and Davenport has shown flashes when healthy. Yet, beyond them (no offense to Al-Quadin Muhammad or Tyrus Wheat), the Lions don’t have much in the way of proven contributors. 

In a league where pressuring the quarterback is of utmost importance, this lack of depth could become a glaring weakness if injuries to Hutchinson and/or Davenport occur.

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