Post-Draft Detroit Lions Depth Chart and 53-Man Roster Predictions

Notes: 

• I am predicting that the Detroit Lions will primary play a “3-4” scheme, but will spend more than two thirds of their snaps in a 3-3-5 Nickel Package, with the RUSH linebacker being on the line of scrimmage to the weak side of the formation.
• The Base Nickel package will feature three Safeties instead of three Corner Backs. However, there will be a 3-3-5 package with three Corner Backs as an option.
• There will be also a 4-2-5 package that will be used heavily.

• For now, I am listing Defensive End Anthony Zettel in with the RUSH Linebackers. He will be a Pass Rush Specialist, regardless of what you call him on the roster.
• The Lions will likely only keep four guys over 300 pounds and four or five that are 270 plus pounds. The base “3-4” package will feature two 300 pounders and one 270 pounds plus.
• A’Shawn Robinson will likely play more alongside Sylvester Williams than Akeem Spence, but expect all three to see heavy playing time.
• Da’Shawn Hand and Cornelius Washington will see time at both Defensive Tackle (Three-Technique) and Defensive End (Five-Technique).
• The odd man out if they decide to keep one less Defensive Lineman is going to be Cornelius Washington. His release will require some dead cap, but Jeremiah Ledbetter would get snatched up on waivers before the Detroit Lions tried to stash him on the practice squad.
• Ledbetter could also lose some weight, going back to his college weight, and see time at both the DT and DE spots as well.

• As mentioned above, Anthony Zettel will play the “RUSH” position, but you’ll never see him in man coverage. He’ll drop into the occasional zone coverage, like he did in 2017, but his only job will to be to get to the passer.
• With that being said the Lions are likely to keep seven Linebackers in total, even going as light as six if they decide to keep a fifth Running Back, a third Quarterback, or an extra Defensive Back.
• Free Agent signings Devon Kennard and Christian Jones will start from day one, with last years fourth round pick Jalen Reeves-Maybin challenging Jones for playing time.
• Jarrad Davis has the Middle Linebacker job for now. The team could slide Jones into the middle and start Reeves-Maybin on his flank if Davis doesn’t have a great camp.
• Nick Bellore and Jonathan Freeny have the two other reserve roles for now, but could be bounced by a later addition to the roster. Their jobs aren’t 100 percent safe, but if the this is the final roster on cut day, they both make the team.
• I expect the Lions to try and add another Davon Kennard type player to the roster before week one.

• I expect the Detroit Lions to keep 11 Defensive Backs on their roster. Five true Corners, four true Safeties, and two guys that can do either (Quandre Diggs and Tracy Walker).
• The Detroit Lions are far from done adding to their training camp roster at Defensive Back. Expect a flurry of signings in the coming days.
• The top five Corner Back jobs are set. The question is in what order they follow the clear leader of the pack, Darius Slay.
• I predict that Teez Tabor, last years second round pick will win the “starting” job, but will fail to see 50 percent of the total snaps at the position.
• DeShawn Shead is the second best option for an outside Cornerback. Nevin Lawson will see some time on defense, but not as much as last year.
• I expect Jamal Agnew to see some time as a dime back, covering backs out of the backfield. He did well in this role in limited action in 2017.
• The Detroit Lions basic package (3-3-5) will feature three safeties, those being Glover Quin, Tavon Wilson, and Diggs. Wilson and Diggs will be down in the box, with Quin playing deep Center Field.
• Charles Washington will be the odd man out if they decide to shorten the Defensive Back Corps.