Where The Lions Roster Stands: Quarterback

Returning from last season: Matthew Stafford, Shaun Hill, Zac Robinson

Currently a free agent: Drew Stanton (he was tendered as a restricted free agent before the lockout)

New to the team: None

I was originally planning to start this series after free agency took place. Thanks to the NFL lockout still being in effect, there's no telling when free agency will actually happen, so I'm going to take a pre-free agency look at the Detroit Lions' roster by analyzing each position. The series begins with quarterback, which is actually one of the more uneventful positions on the roster.

Chances are the quarterbacks currently on the roster will be the ones on the roster going into training camp. Matthew Stafford is the starter as long as he's healthy, and Shaun Hill will be one of the players backing up Stafford. Drew Stanton, who was tendered as a restricted free agent before the lockout began, should be back with the team to compete for the backup job. Of course, the new CBA will ultimately determine if Stanton is a restricted or unrestricted free agent, but at this point I'm betting he's back with the Lions either way.

As for Zac Robinson, he is unlikely to make the team unless an injury happens or Stanton ends up leaving Detroit. The Lions could try to put Robinson on the practice squad if he doesn't make the team, but there's no guarantee another team wouldn't sign him (as the Seahawks found out last season when he landed with Detroit).

Need going forward?

Unless the Lions' bad luck with injuries continues and Stanton ends up being an unrestricted free agent and signs elsewhere, there really won't be any need to add a new QB. Even if the Lions lost Stanton, Robinson could serve as the third-string QB, so I can't see a new quarterback being added unless there are a couple injuries or Stanton leaves and there is one injury.

Needless to say, let's hope there is no need at this position going forward.