Where the Lions roster stands: Defense & special teams

The Detroit Lions currently have 45 players under contract on defense and special teams. Take a look (the final year of each player's contract is listed in parentheses):

Defensive end (7)

Back from last season: Ziggy Ansah (2016 + team option for 2017), Jason Jones (2015), Devin Taylor (2016)

New to the team: Darryl Tapp (2014), Larry Webster (2017), George Johnson (2014), Kalonji Kashama (2016)

Defensive tackle (8)

Back from last season: Ndamukong Suh (2014 + player option for 2015), Nick Fairley (2014), C.J. Mosley (2014), Andre Fluellen (2014), Jimmy Saddler-McQueen (2015), Xavier Proctor (2015)

New to the team: Caraun Reid (2017), Gregory Hickman (2016)

Linebacker (10)

Back from last season: DeAndre Levy (2015), Stephen Tulloch (2016), Ashlee Palmer (2014), Tahir Whitehead (2015), Travis Lewis (2015), Cory Greenwood (2014), Julian Stanford (2014), Brandon Hepburn (2015)

New to the team: Kyle Van Noy (2017), Justin Jackson (2016)

Cornerback (9)

Back from last season: Darius Slay (2016), Rashean Mathis (2014), Bill Bentley (2015), Chris Greenwood (2014), Jonte Green (2015)

New to the team: Nevin Lawson (2017), Cassius Vaughn (2014), Aaron Hester (2014), Mohammed Seisay (2016)

Safety (7)

Back from last season: Glover Quin (2017), Don Carey (2016), DeJon Gomes (2014)

New to the team: James Ihedigbo (2015), Isa Abdul-Quddus (2014), Jerome Couplin (2016), Gabe Lynn (2016)

Special teams (4)

Back from last season: Sam Martin (2016), Don Muhlbach (2014)

New to the team: Nate Freese (2017), Giorgio Tavecchio (2015)