Analyzing the Detroit Lions Current Depth Chart

Middle Linebacker

Sep 21, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch (55) during the first quarter against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Stephen Tulloch 

No more celebrations!!! The Lions have decided to hold on to Tulloch despite the early rumors that he would be a cap casualty. They never should have thought twice. Tulloch is still a great option at middle linebaker and is a great leader. Just looking at his stat line for 3 games its easy to see that Tulloch was on pace for a big year. Notching 20 tackles and 2 sacks in 2.5 games. That’s not the kind of production you let walk away.

Tahir Whitehead

One of the most pleasant surprises of the year. Nobody thought that Whitehead could fill in for Tulloch the way he did. Until this past season Whitehead was a special teams ace. Even being voted special teams MVP by the Lions organization after the 2013 season. Whitehead came in and showed that he is the future of the Lions linebacker corps. The question at this point is “now that Tulloch is back, what will Whitehead’s role be?” i would expect to see Whitehead rotate in at every linebacker position or steal away Kyle Van Noy’s expected spot on the outside.

Travis Lewis 

Lewis could be a fine linebacker. We haven’t been able to find out due to Lewis being buried by depth. Lewis has however been a decent special teams contributor and at 27, he still has time to show what he can do. Until then Lewis will remain a special teams guy.