Projecting The Detroit Lions 2013 Depth Chart

Cornerback:

Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

2012 Overview:

The Lions shuffled nine corners into the lineup in 2012, as injuries decimated the entire unit. Chris Houston proved to be the Lions top corner, as rookies Jonte Green and Dwight Bentley showed flashes of why they were drafted.

Left Cornerback:

1. Chris Houston:

This year’s free agency class of cornerbacks was vast, leaving the Lions to capitalize with a long term deal for Houston. After a year in which he had two interceptions and six passes defended, he returns to a much improved Lion secondary.

2. Darius Slay:

The Lions second round pick, Slay had a minor set back while undergoing knee surgery following the NFL draft. Since then, he has been limited at the teams OTA’s. With limited reps early in the offseason, Slay will have an uphill climb towards becoming the starter opposite Houston.

3. Chris Greenwood:

Greenwood missed all of last year with an abdominal injury he sufferd last May. According to Jim Schwartz, he’s making strides towards becoming a contributor to the Lions secondary.

“His technique is good, but just his understanding of the defense and where everybody fits, that’s still a work in progress,” Schwartz said. “He’s working hard, he’s making mistakes, but you expect that. He’s been cleaning them up and his technique has improved from where he was when he came in.”

If he can learn, and learn quickly, Greenwood has the opportunity to compete for the nickel corner position.

Right Cornerback:

1. Jonte Green:

This position battle should be fun to watch down the stretch. Many believe Bill Bentley will ultimately triumph come September, but Green was the one who impressed me the most last season. Green had one interception and three passes defended on 408 snaps at cornerback in 2012. He was very confident down the stretch, and apparently has a fun side too.

2. Bill Bentley:

Aforementioned, Bentley is the early favorite to become the Lions second starting cornerback. While he too showed glimpses that impressed, he also was out of position far to much. With a year under his belt, Bentley will look to improve on his solid rookie campaign.

2013 Preview:

The Lions improved their secondary greatly this offseason, and will know look to round it out with a cornerback to compliment Chris Houston. There’s no denying the increase in talent for this unit from a year ago, now they need to bring it all together to achieve the success they all expect.