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The Detroit Lions have established their 53-man roster after making some final tweaks before kicking off the 2013 regular season. Let's examine each position on offense by breaking down who made the team.
Quarterback (3): Matthew Stafford, Shaun Hill, Kellen Moore
The Lions are going into the 2013 season with the same three quarterbacks as last year. Stafford is back again as the starter, just as Hill is back again as the backup and Moore is back again as the third-stringer. Assuming there are no injuries, Stafford should start every game and Moore shouldn't even dress once over the course of the 2013 season.
Running back (4): Reggie Bush, Joique Bell, Mikel Leshoure, Theo Riddick
The Lions initially had five running backs on their 53-man roster before putting Montell Owens on short-term injured reserve. He will be back later in the season to help on offense and special teams. For now, the Lions have four running backs, and they have Bush as their starter and one of the biggest offensive weapons on the team. Bell is expected to be the No. 2 running back after a strong preseason, and Leshoure and Riddick round out the depth chart.
Wide receiver (6): Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, Ryan Broyles, Patrick Edwards, Kris Durham, Micheal Spurlock
The Lions surprisingly went with six wide receivers. Johnson is the best player on the team, but the talent behind him seems pretty iffy. Burleson had a pretty weak preseason, and Broyles is still working his way back from the torn ACL he suffered last season. Edwards made the team after a strong training camp, and Durham was kept over Matt Willis for whatever reason. Finally, Spurlock will likely be the Lions' return specialist and play mainly on special teams.
Tight end (3): Brandon Pettigrew, Tony Scheffler, Joseph Fauria
With Michael Williams on injured reserve and out for the season, the Lions have three tight ends. Pettigrew and Scheffler are back for another year as the top two tight ends on the Lions' depth chart. Fauria, an undrafted free agent, is new to the team, and he made the 53-man roster thanks to a strong showing over the course of the last month. He could develop into another weapon on offense for the Lions because of his size, especially in the red zone.
Offensive tackle (4): Riley Reiff, Jason Fox, Corey Hilliard, LaAdrian Waddle
The Lions surprisingly didn't go out and sign a veteran offensive tackle in the offseason. They were comfortable with the guys on their team, and training camp and the preseason didn't change anything. Reiff, as expected, will be the starter at left tackle, and it appears that Fox will be the starter at right tackle. Hilliard and Waddle, another undrafted free agent, will serve as the backups at tackle.
Offensive guard & center (5): Rob Sims, Dominic Raiola, Larry Warford, Leroy Harris, Dylan Gandy
Sims and Raiola are the only returning starters on the offensive line. They will likely be joined in the starting lineup by Warford at right guard, and behind them are two versatile players in Harris and Gandy. They can play both offensive guard and center, which is a big reason why the Lions decided to keep them on the 53-man roster.