
Detroit Lions Depth Chart
- NFC North
- Stadium
- Ford Field
- Head Coach
- Dan Campbell
- Offensive Coordinator
- Ben Johnson
- Defensive Coordinator
- Aaron Glenn
- Special Teams Coach
- Dave Fipp
- Defensive Scheme
- 3-4
Detroit Lions defensive end Romeo Okwara (Achilles), who continues to work his way back from a season-ending Achilles injury that he suffered four games into last season, will primarily play defensive end in 2022 as the team switches to a more attacking defense. At this time last year, Okwara was preparing to play more outside linebacker. "He's a defensive end. He'll play a rush position in base, and the end or the rush in sub (packages). So, he's a defensive end," defensive line coach Todd Wash said. The last time Okwara played a full season, he had a team-high 10 sacks, 61 QB pressures and three forced fumbles in 2020, so he could get back to being an asset for fantasy managers in IDP formats.
The Detroit Lions signed free-agent wide receiver Devin Funchess to an undisclosed deal on Tuesday and moved him to tight end. Funchess hasn't played in an NFL games since 2019 with the Indianapolis Colts, and he was released by the Green Bay Packers last August with an injury settlement before briefly joining the San Francisco 49ers practice squad. The 28-year-old will be attempting to make a comeback as a tight end in Detroit, and he'll be competing for a roster spot in training camp next month. T.J. Hockenson is the team's unquestioned No. 1 pass-catching tight end, and they also have names like Brock Wright, rookies James Mitchell, Nolan Givan and Derrick Deese Jr., Garrett Griffin and Shane Zylstra at the position.
Detroit Lions tight end Shane Zylstra (knee) suffered a fractured kneecap in Week 16 last year, but he has taken part fully in the team's offseason training program and was the team's go-to tight end during mandatory minicamp last week. Zylstra has nice receiving skills and showed his ability to separate at the top of his route. He took advantage of the extra work with T.J Hockenson limited and some of the rookies out with injury, catching a few touchdowns in team periods. Zylstra should have plenty of confidence heading into training camp as insurance behind Hockenson this year. The Lions also have tight ends Brock Wright, rookie James Mitchell and Garrett Griffin, though, so Zylstra is buried on the TE depth chart.
Detroit Lions running back D'Andre Swift showcased his receiving skills at mandatory minicamp last week, and he looks stronger this year but hasn't lost any of his shiftiness. Swift is extremely smooth as a pass-catcher and is a matchup nightmare for the defense when he's in space in the passing attack. The 23-year-old was leading all running backs last year in catches last year before missing five games late last season with a shoulder injury. With the Lions being improved on the outside at wide receiver, it should open things up even more for Swift and tight end T.J. Hockenson to get favorable one-on-one matchups in the middle of the field. Swift should once again be a big part of the passing game in 2022, giving him clear RB1 upside, especially in PPR leagues.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus had a really nice mandatory minicamp and showed up all three days last week. Cephus was off to a good start last year before a collarbone injury ended his season after just four and a half games. He's tough, agile and a good route-runner, and he put himself in a good situation heading into training camp next month. Cephus and Trinity Benson, who also had a nice week, will have a pretty good competition in training camp for what might be one of the last couple roster spots at the position. The 24-year-old Cephus has 35 receptions for 553 yards and four touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons in 18 games (five starts). He'll provide Detroit with some solid depth, but he won't be on the fantasy radar in standard-sized leagues.