Which position on the 2024 Detroit Lions roster is the deepest? We take a look at three of them.
When we think about success in the NFL, we often center that discussion around superstars. And, sure, if you have a Patrick Mahomes on your team, it can feel like a shortcut to the Super Bowl .
But the hidden truth to successful teams each year is staying healthy. Every year, Aaron Schatz publishes his own injury statistic—adjusted games lost —and each year it shows a pretty strong correlation between health and success. It’s never perfect—for example, the Texans had the most injuries last year, but made an improbable playoff run—but it’s clear injuries can sink a talented roster.
The one way a team can withstand injuries is by building incredible depth. The Detroit Lions have themselves a good roster, but is it deep? Can they still have a successful season if they suffer bad injury luck?
Today’s Question of the Day is:
Which position is the Lions’ deepest?
My answer: These positions, in my opinion, are decidedly not deep: quarterback, offensive tackle, wide receiver, defensive tackle, safety. If the Lions suffer injuries there, the results could be devastating.
On the other end of the spectrum, the Lions have a lot of options at running back, linebacker, and even—oddly—outside cornerback. Every other position I would say has a pretty average amount of depth.
But let’s look at the three positions I outlined as the deepest:
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of each position, just the notable names
Running back:
- David Montgomery
- Jahmyr Gibbs
- Craig Reynolds
- Sione Vaki
- Jermar Jefferson
Linebacker
- Alex Anzalone
- Jack Campbell
- Derrick Barnes
- Malcolm Rodriguez
- Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Outside cornerback
- Carlton Davis
- Terrion Arnold
- Amik Robertson
- Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
- Emmanuel Moseley
- Kindle Vildor
When looking at just purely “starting capable” players, I think the answer is either linebacker or cornerback. At linebacker, four of those five players logged starts last year, and the fifth (Jalen Reeves-Maybin), played a pretty significant defensive role down the stretch. Considering the Lions typically just employ two linebackers at a time, the Lions could probably withstand a few injuries there and still produce decent play.
At cornerback, the position is more theoretical talent than proven, but there are at least five players who could be starters in the NFL if they reach their full potential. Davis is a legit CB1 candidate, while Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw are likely to get significant playing time in their rookie seasons.
Emmanuel Moseley was potentially headed for stardom before losing back-to-back seasons with ACL tears, and Amik Robertson proved last year he’s more than capable in a starting role. Throw in Vildor, who may be always remembered for his NFC Championship blunder but also has 24 career starts as experience, and Detroit looks to have a decent bench there.
Ultimately, I’ll stick with linebacker here, but I think it says something that cornerback is suddenly in the conversation here after being one of the worst positions last season.