Lions depth chart released for game vs. Jets

In advance of their preseason opener on Friday against the New York Jets, the Detroit Lions have released their first unofficial depth chart of 2013. As usual, it's important to stress the word unofficial, as depth charts don't mean a whole lot in the preseason. Often times they don't truly reflect what is happening on the field, and considering there have only been nine training camp practices so far, it's not like the Lions' position battles have already been resolved.

With that in mind, let's take a look at the Lions' current depth chart.

Here's what jumped out to me about the offensive depth chart:

• At quarterback, Kellen Moore is listed ahead of Thaddeus Lewis.
  
  
• Mikel Leshoure is listed as Reggie Bush's backup at running back.
  
  
• At wide receiver, Patrick Edwards and Kris Durham are the fourth and fifth wide receivers. There's still a lot of time to go before the final round of cuts, and like I said, this is unofficial, but at the very least this suggests that they may be a bit ahead of the rest of the pack at wide receiver.
  
  
• Joseph Fauria is the fourth tight end.
  
  
• On the offensive line, Dylan Gandy is listed as the starting right guard and Jason Fox is listed as the starting right tackle. Larry Warford is currently the third-string right guard.
  

Several things jumped out about the defensive depth chart as well:

• The starting defensive ends are Ziggy Ansah and Jason Jones.
  
  
• The top backups at defensive tackle are C.J. Mosley and Jimmy Saddler-McQueen.
  
  
• Ashlee Palmer is listed as the starting left outside linebacker.
  
  
• Ron Bartell is currently the starting right cornerback, with Darius Slay backing him up.
  
  
• Don Carey and Amari Spievey are the top backups at safety.

Finally, these things from the special teams depth chart caught my attention:

• David Akers is listed as the starting kicker over Havard Rugland.
  
  
• Sam Martin has the edge over Blake Clingan at punter.
  
  
• The starting kick and punt returner is listed as Micheal Spurlock, indicating that he is currently in position to make the 53-man roster as the team's return specialist.

Again, this is all unofficial. There could be different starters and backups at multiple positions a few weeks from now when the time for the final round of cuts arrives. For now, though, there are a lot of interesting storylines based simply on this depth chart. What about it stands out to you?

More from Pride Of Detroit:

• Lions claim LB Adrian Moten off waivers
• Lions sign Brandon King, release Devin Thomas
• Lions 53-man roster prediction: Pre-preseason edition
• Lions release LB Alex Elkins
• Lions training camp: Recapping the first nine practices