'Unofficial' depth chart

Because the NFL mandates it, teams have to put out a depth chart before every game, even exhibition games. So, the Lions have complied, and I will share it with you here.

But please take it for what it is — a non-binding ranking of the players at each position. The important position battles are far from over, and a third-teamer today could be working with the first team today at practice.

Here’s an example of why this is flawed. It lists Travis Lewis as the third outside linebacker. He’s taken most of his snaps at middle linebacker. He and Ashlee Palmer are neck-and-neck for that backup middle spot. So, grain-of-salt on this, OK?

OFFENSE

QB – Matthew Stafford, Shaun Hill, Kellen Moore, R.J. Archer

RB – Kevin Smith, Keiland Williams, Stefan Logan, James Bryant, Joique Bell, Stephfon Green, Mikel Leshoure, Jahvid Best

LT – Jeff Backus, Riley Reiff, Jonathan Scott

LG – Rob Sims, Dan Gerberry, J.C. Oram

C – Dominic Raiola, Dylan Gandy, Rodney Austin

RG – Stephen Peterman, Jacques McClendon, Pat Boyle

RT – Gosder Cherilus, Corey Hilliard, Jason Fox

TE – Brandon Pettigrew, Tony Scheffler, Will Heller

WR – Calvin Johnson, Ryan Broyles, Maurice Stovall, Dominique Curry, Lance Long, Terrence Toliver

WR – Nate Burleson, Titus Young, Patrick Edwards, Jarett Dilliard, Nate Hughes, Wallace Miles

DEFENSE

LE – Cliff Avril, Lawrence Jackson, Everette Brown, Ugo Chinasa

DT – Corey Williams, Sammie Hill, Tracy Robertson

DT – Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley, Andre Fluellen

RE – Kyle Vanden Bosch, Willie Young, Ronnell Lewis, Edmon McClam

OLB – Justin Durant, Tahir Whitehead, Carmen Messina

MLB – Stephen Tulloch, Ashlee Palmer, Korey Bosworth

OLB – DeAndre Levy, Doug Hogue, Travis Lewis

LCB – Chris Houston, Jacob Lacey, Jonte Green, Ross Weaver

RCB – Alphonso Smith, Bill Bentley, Justin Miller, Drew Coleman, Chris Greenwood

FS – Louis Delmas, Erik Coleman, John Wendling

SS – Amari Spievey, Sean Jones, Ricardo Silva, Don Carey

SPECIALISTS

K – Jason Hanson, Derek Dimke

P – Ben Graham, Ryan Donahue

KR – Stefan Logan, Titus Young, Justin Miller, Nate Hughes

PR – Stefan Logan, Titus Young, Ryan Broyles, Patrick Edwards

LS – Don Muhlbach