Lions Pre-Training Camp 2025 Defensive Depth Chart

The Detroit Lions are set to embark on their next journey with 2025 training camp beginning in the coming days.

Veterans are set to report to camp on Saturday, with the team conducting its first open practice in front of the media this weekend. As a result, a lengthy offseason is set to come to an end as the Lions aim to avenge the crushing season-ending loss in the Divisional Round of last year's playoffs.

Detroit has high expectations, but unfortunately the injury bug has already hit the roster as several players were placed on injured lists prior to the start of camp.

As a result, the Lions' defensive depth chart has been somewhat shaken up ahead of the team's first training camp practice session. Here's my latest depth chart prediction ahead of the start of training camp.

Nose tackle

Starter: DJ Reader
Backup: Roy Lopez
Reserves: Brodric Martin, Chris Smith

Reader and Lopez give the Lions two strong veteran presences to anchor the defense against the run. While the injury to Levi Onwuzurike does throw a wrench into Detroit's overall plans, the nose tackle position does seem to be somewhat unaffected.

The Lions will also have the benefit of 2025 first-round pick Tyleik Williams having the ability to play the nose tackle position in certain packages as well. However, he could be better suited to play a three-technique with Onwuzurike out. Martin is facing a pivotal training camp, while Smith has proven to be reliable when called upon in a pinch.

Defensive tackle

Starter: Tyleik Williams
Backup: Pat O'Connor
Reserves: Myles Adams, Raequan Williams
PUP: Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike, Mekhi Wingo

With Onwuzurike set to miss the first four games of the season and McNeill also expected to be out for the start of the year, I believe Williams could be slated to have a big impact early. While he still needs to develop as a pass-rusher, his run defense skills are ready made to allow him to make impact.

Behind Williams, the Lions will also have some veteran options who could sub in on pass-rush downs. O'Connor held some value last year as being a reliable contributor. Adams didn't have a concrete role last year, but could wind up getting a bigger role this year early on.

When McNeill, Onwuzurike and Wingo all return, it will provide the defense as a whole a much-needed spark.

Defensive ends (2)

Starters: Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport
Backups: Al-Quadin Muhammad, Ahmed Hassanein
Reserves: Mitchell Agude, Isaac Ukwu, Nate Lynn, Keith Cooper Jr.
NFI: Josh Paschal

Hutchinson and Davenport both are coming off season-ending injuries, but are on vastly different trajectories at this point. With Hutchinson, the Lions have a foundational piece and the expectation is that he should return to his elite 2024 form.

Davenport on the other hand has dealt with injuries throughout his entire career and is looking to prove that he can avoid the durability issues that have plagued him. Muhammad was solid in his opportunities last year, while Hassanein could surprise during training camp due to his physicality.

Elsewhere, the Lions have an intriguing crop of young players headlined by Agude, who had a strong training camp last year. Ukwu and Lynn were both part of last year's UDFA crop, while Cooper signed after a strong performance at rookie minicamp.