You’ve got questions. I’ve theoretically got an answer. Welcome to the Lions mailbag, where we take one question and answer it a little bit more in-depth.
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Now, on to this week’s question:
@DetLionsRadio What position has most/least depth? I think deepest might be wr and OL and weakest LB. #lionsmailbag
— Mike Holleman (@Mike_Holleman) November 16, 2016
That’s an interesting question, mostly because of the way injuries have shaped the roster this season. But considering Detroit appears to be mostly healthy at this point -- although I don’t expect DeAndre Levy to be on the field quite yet -- it’s an interesting question to ask.
Take quarterback and special teams out of it, since they are thin groups no matter what, and look at the rest of the roster.
The deepest group, as of now, might be the defensive line. While there hasn’t been a ton of pass rush (although it’s getting better), the Lions use a deep rotation of players at both end and tackle, with almost all 10 on the roster active on some game days. And the current group is without the suspended Armonty Bryant, who has been one of Detroit’s more active pass rushers.
But with Ezekiel Ansah and the emerging Kerry Hyder, Detroit has a solid pair of ends and some depth. That depth includes Hyder, since he’s not a starter. The interior of the line has shown promise, as Khyri Thornton, A’Shawn Robinson and Stefan Charles have all had flashes of big plays while being rotational tackles behind starters Tyrunn Walker and Haloti Ngata. If anything, Walker has been the tackle struggling the most this year.
It’s a deep group that has been slowly improving.
Offensively, the greatest depth is probably at receiver, since the team’s top four players, Marvin Jones, Golden Tate, Anquan Boldin and Andre Roberts, have all made big plays this year.
When it comes to the thinnest positions on the team, it’s a bit easier.
On defense, it’s linebacker, even when Levy returns. Detroit has struggled at that spot all year and has had to mix-and-match with minimal effectiveness due to injuries throughout the season. The Lions have a chance to improve there when Levy starts playing and if Jon Bostic ends up being designated to return from injured reserve, but it’s a position where injuries have exposed Detroit.
On offense, it’s tight end. All you need to know here is when Eric Ebron missed time, the Lions essentially took the tight end out of the passing part of the game plan. With Ebron in the lineup, tight end is a useful option for Detroit. Without him, it’s been a non-factor.