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Lions depth chart released for preseason opener

The Detroit Lions' first depth chart of 2014 is out. See it here.

Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

In advance of their preseason opener on Saturday night against the Cleveland Browns, the Detroit Lions have released their first 2014 depth chart. It's considered unofficial, and there are some positions that don't exactly seem all that accurate, so keep that in mind as you take a look at it.

OFFENSE
Pos. First String Second String Third String Fourth String
QB Matthew Stafford
Dan Orlovsky
Kellen Moore
James Franklin
RB Reggie Bush
Joique Bell
Mikel Leshoure
Theo Riddick
Steven Miller
George Winn
FB Montell Owens
Jed Collins
Chad Abram

WR Calvin Johnson
Kris Durham
Jeremy Ross
Corey Fuller
Quintin Payton
WR Golden Tate
Kevin Ogletree
Ryan Broyles
Patrick Edwards
Andrew Peacock
TJ Jones
TE
Brandon Pettigrew Joseph Fauria Eric Ebron Jordan Thompson
Jacob Maxwell
LT Riley Reiff Cornelius Lucas Michael Williams
LG Rob Sims Rodney Austin Alex Bullard
C Dominic Raiola Travis Swanson Darren Keyton
RG Larry Warford Garrett Reynolds Bryce Quigley
RT LaAdrian Waddle Corey Hilliard A.J. Dalton

The main thing that jumps out to me on offense is that Mikel Leshoure is listed ahead of Theo Riddick at running back. I suppose this is a positive sign for Leshoure more than anything, but I'm skeptical that he's truly ahead of Riddick in the pecking order. I suppose that'll be something to keep an eye on going forward.

Other interesting things on offense:

  • Despite being listed as a running back on the Lions' official roster, Montell Owens is the starting fullback over Jed Collins.

  • At wide receiver, Kevin Ogletree and Kris Durham are the top backups.

  • At tight end, Eric Ebron is currently third on the depth chart, and the Lions are no longer listing two separate TE spots.

  • On the offensive line, LaAdrian Waddle is the starting right tackle over Corey Hilliard.
DEFENSE
Pos. First String Second String Third String Fourth String
DE Ziggy Ansah
Darryl Tapp
George Johnson

DT Nick Fairley
Andre Fluellen
Caraun Reid
Gregory Hickman
DT Ndamukong Suh
C.J. Mosley
Jimmy Saddler-McQueen
Xavier Proctor
DE Jason Jones
Devin Taylor
Larry Webster
Kris Redding
OLB Ashlee Palmer
Kyle Van Noy
Cory Greenwood
Justin Jackson
MLB Stephen Tulloch
Travis Lewis
Brandon Hepburn

OLB DeAndre Levy
Tahir Whitehead
Julian Stanford

CB Rashean Mathis
Bill Bentley
Nevin Lawson
Aaron Hester
Mohammed Seisay
CB Darius Slay
Cassius Vaughn
Jonte Green
Chris Greenwood
SS James Ihedigbo
DeJon Gomes
Jerome Couplin

FS Glover Quin
Don Carey
Isa Abdul-Quddus

The defensive depth chart really does a nice job of illustrating the fact that this is unofficial. Case in point: Andre Fluellen, who said this week that he's now a defensive end, is listed ahead of Caraun Reid at defensive tackle. Okay then.

Here are some other notable things about the defensive depth chart:

  • Ashlee Palmer is currently ahead of Kyle Van Noy at outside linebacker, and Travis Lewis and Tahir Whitehead are the primary backups at the other two LB spots.

  • At cornerback, Bill Bentley and Cassius Vaughn are the top backups, followed by Nevin Lawson and Jonte Green.

  • DeJon Gomes and Don Carey are the second-string safeties.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Pos. First String Second String Third String Fourth String
K Nate Freese
Giorgio Tavecchio


P Sam Martin
Drew Butler


KO Sam Martin
Nate Freese Giorgio Tavecchio
HLD Sam Martin Drew Butler

LS Don Muhlbach



KR Jeremy Ross
Theo Riddick
Steven Miller

PR Jeremy Ross
Golden Tate
Steven Miller

On special teams, the only really notable thing is that Nate Freese is currently listed ahead of Giorgio Tavecchio at kicker. That position battle remains up in the air going forward, but that may be a sign that this is still Freese's job to lose.

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