Resetting the Lions depth chart in the secondary
The Detroit Lions have been quite busy addressing the secondary in free agency. New GM Brad Holmes and the Lions have added a few new players to the defensive backfield.
The latest addition is safety Dean Marlowe, who jumps into a projected starting role…for now, anyway. With the NFL draft coming up in less than three weeks, here’s where the depth chart in the Detroit secondary stands:
Cornerback
Starters: Jeff Okudah, Quinton Dunbar
Slot: Corn Elder
Reserves: Amani Oruwariye, Mike Ford
Dunbar gets the veteran nod over Oruwariye, though that would almost certainly be a spot up for a training camp competition. Elder wins the slot role almost by default; Dunbar is the only other CB with any functional experience playing inside in the NFL.
Safety
Starters: Tracy Walker, Dean Marlowe
Reserves: Will Harris, Godwin Igwebuike, C.J. Moore, Bobby Price, Jalen Elliott
If you’re looking for clues for the lineup, the Lions own official roster tips off this one. Marlowe is listed at free safety, the only safety to receive a positional designation. Walker and Igwebuike are listed as defensive back, not just safety.
Igwebuike, Price and Elliott have never played a regular-season snap on defense.
