Lions Preseason Opener Depth Chart: Offense

The Detroit Lions begin their season with a showcase in the Hall of Fame Game Thursday against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Coach Dan Campbell has stated that the game will feature many of the team's depth players, as starters are not expected to play significant snaps. As a result, the game is expected to be a showcase of the team's depth players.

Thursday's game will give the Lions some clarity on where things stand behind their starting lineup, and will be an opportunity for players who want to earn roster spots to shine.

Here's my latest prediction for the Lions' 2025 offensive depth chart ahead of their preseason opener.

Quarterback

Starter: Jared Goff
Backup: Hendon Hooker
Reserve: Kyle Allen

The starter for Thursday's game has not been established as of Thursday morning, but given the fact that the Lions have rotated Hooker and Allen between the backup and third-string units, it can be inferred that both will play significant snaps.

Running back

Starter: Jahmyr Gibbs
Backup: David Montgomery
Reserves: Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki, Jabari Small, Jacob Saylors, Kye Robichaux

Gibbs has taken on a larger share of the first-team carries throughout practices, and he earned this with his dynamic performance late last season. Montgomery will still play a big role, but the young Alabama product may be the top option at this stage.

Thursday's game will likely see plenty of carries for Vaki, Small and Saylors, while Robichaux has been dealing with an injury. If Vaki can make some things happen in Thursday's game, he'll make an intriguing case for the third running back role currently held by Reynolds.

Wide receivers

Starters: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick
Backups: Kalif Raymond, Isaac TeSlaa, Dominic Lovett
Reserves: Ronnie Bell, Tom Kennedy, Jackson Meeks, Malik Taylor, Jakobie Keeney-James

With the top three, potentially four with Raymond, not expected to play, Thursday's game could be a coming out part for TeSlaa. The Arkansas product has flashed some serious ability in early practices, and his combination of size and speed brings an intriguing element to Detroit's offense.

Lovett has also caught the coaching staff's attention with his work on special teams and has had some good moments as a receiver. He could also get some looks as a returner if Raymond is out of action. Detroit has several intriguing options down the depth chart who could get opportunities, including Bell, Meeks and Kennedy.

Tight ends

Starter: Sam LaPorta
Backup: Brock Wright
Reserves: Shane Zylstra, Kenny Yeboah, Zach Horton

The battle for the Lions' third tight end spot is one of the more interesting showdowns, as the player who earns that position will be asked to do plenty within the offense. Be it as a traditional tight end in jumbo packages or as a fullback, Zylstra, Yeboah or Horton will be asked to wear several hats within the scheme.

Horton has been taking fullback reps, while Zylstra is the name that has been with the second-team most often. Thursday's game, and how the reps are distributed between these three players, will be telling about who's leading the competition.