Breaking Down Detroit Lions' Roster After the 2015 Draft

The Detroit Lions roster has a different fit now that the NFL draft has passed.

Some players who were comfortably in the fold just a couple of weeks ago will be forced to look over their shoulders at players better tailored for their positions. Others can breathe a sigh of relief because there isn't another guy on the team who can fill their shoes.

What we can say for sure is the addition of the 2015 rookie class changes things a bit. Therefore, the young men trying to break in a big league career will be the focus here.

So, which ones have a chance to make an immediate impact? Which ones have a fighting chance to make the roster? Click through to find out.

Quarterback

Gerry Broome/Associated Press

QB: Matthew Stafford, Dan Orlovsky, Kellen Moore and Anthony Boone

Little, if anything, will change in Detroit's quarterbacking group this year.

Boone won't be much more than camp fodder. While he's another smart leader in a class stacked with them, he doesn't have the height (6'0") or the arm to beat out Moore.

Plus, there are issues with his accuracy. Boone's completion percentage dropped from 64 percent to just 56.3 in 2014, although he threw six more scores and five fewer interceptions. He's also a tough runner that only took 23 sacks over those two years as a starter at Duke.

Still, Moore and Orlovsky have too much experience and better NFL throwing talent to be overtaken by Boone.

Nothing will change at the top; this is Stafford's team. The ground game and offensive line have been rebuilt to put him in better position to succeed. Therefore, there won't be any real shake-up at this position unless Moore unseats the veteran Orlovsky for backup duties.

Running Back

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

RB: Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, George Winn, Rasheed Williams and Zach Zenner

FB: Michael Burton and Emil Igwenagu

Speaking of the ground game, things should be much more exciting this year with the addition of Abdullah.

The former Nebraska Cornhusker has the skill to bring a unique running style that the Lions had hoped to get from Reggie Bush. However, the two are only similar in their ability to explode out of cuts. Abdullah is a more physical runner who doesn't sacrifice forward progress with lateral cuts like his predecessor. He and Bell will create a very dangerous combo.

The big wild card here is Zenner. The Missouri Valley first-teamer ran for 2,000 yards...in three consecutive seasons! And he wasn't only devastating against inferior competition. Zenner actually outrushed his new teammate (sorry, Ameer) when the two faced off in 2013, 202 yards (and two scores) to 139.

"

#Lions - Zach Zenner, RB, South Dakota State - Hugely productive on the field, excelled in the classroom, underappreciated athlete #TopUDFAs

— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) May 4, 2015"

Zenner will take aim at Winn's spot, and don't be surprised if the rookie hits the mark.

Lastly, Burton will have to perform extremely poorly to lose out to Igwenagu. If the coaching staff had faith in the latter, it wouldn't have pushed for a fullback in the fifth round.

Wide Receiver

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

WR: Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, Corey Fuller, Jeremy Ross, Ryan Broyles, T.J. Jones, Skye Dawson, Andrew Peacock and Vernon Johnson

For the first time since 2006, the Lions didn't draft a wide receiver. However, the team did bring in an undrafted free agent receiver that would make the late Al Davis proud:

"

My lord, Vernon Johnson (WR-Texas A&M Commerce) is fast.

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) April 6, 2015"

Vernon Johnson, the wide receiver from Texas A&M Commerce, is indeed fast. He's also a shifty receiver who could translate both of those skills to the return game, giving him a leg up on the competition.

However, he'll have to fight off last year's sixth-round pick. T.J. Jones didn't come off the PUP list last season, so he's essentially a rookie to all of us, but the hands that made him such a valuable target in college will still be a hot commodity come this preseason.

Both of these guys will be given a chance to round out the bottom of the roster. The competition will be steep, though, with Broyles and Ross fighting for their jobs.

Tight End

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

TE: Eric Ebron, Brandon Pettigrew, Joseph Fauria, Jordan Thompson and Casey Pierce

In many ways, Pierce is the anti-Ebron.

He has consistent hands and will arrive in Allen Park with a history as a good blocker. He also doesn't have any of the athleticism of last year's first-rounder.

Everything about this summer and this position will revolve around Ebron. The Lions' lack of a receiving addition hints that they expect Ebron to be the third receiving threat this year. If he can't hack it, there might be a revolt in the stands from those that continue to pine for Aaron Donald and Odell Beckham.

Pettigrew should find a healthier role in the new power offense. Detroit drafted another power guard in the mold of Larry Warford because the team plans on firing off the ball more than trying the stretch play so often. That should fit Pettigrew's preferred style better than last year's scheme.

Lastly, Fauria will be an interesting story to follow this season. Injuries severely limited him in 2014, and it seemed like he might develop into more than just a red-zone threat. Time will tell with the former undrafted free agent.

Offensive Line

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

OT: Riley Reiff, LaAdrian Waddle, Cornelius Lucas, Michael Williams and Corey Robinson

OG: Larry Warford, Manny Ramirez, Laken Tomlinson, Darren Keyton, Al Bond and Torrian Wilson

C: Travis Swanson, Braxston Cave and Taylor Boggs

The Lions had to upgrade the ground game. Their inability to create any push up front (28th in total rushing yards) stalled out the offense before it ever had a chance. Much of that had to do with offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi's love for the outside zone play, which didn't fit the strengths of his linemen.

Now, he's going to use a more power-heavy scheme, and the front office doubled down on that approach by drafting Laken Tomlinson.

The Duke guard (it feels weird to write that and not be referring to basketball) has a similar style to Larry Warford. They both love to be the aggressor and attack defensive linemen. However, that doesn't mean that he can't sit back and pass protect:

"

Laken Tomlinson allowed 0 sacks, 0 hits and 4 hurries last year. The best pass blocking guard in college last year.

— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) May 1, 2015"

Barring some crazy, unforeseen circumstance, Tomlinson will start at left guard. The only definite battle along the line will come between new (and old) addition Manny Ramirez and Travis Swanson at center, and there's no way to identify at leader at this point.

Defensive Line

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

DE: Ezekiel Ansah, Jason Jones, Devin Taylor, Philip Hunt, Kerry Hyder, Darryl Tapp and Larry Webster

DT: Haloti Ngata, Tyrunn Walker, Caraun Reid, Xavier Proctor, Gabe Wright, Roy Philon and Jermelle Cudjo

Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley aren't coming back. Their talent levels haven't been replaced, but the front office did an excellent job rebuilding the formerly decimated defensive line.

Obviously, Haloti Ngata and Tyrunn Walker are the starters, but the reserves are starting to round into shape as well. At least that's what defensive coordinator Teryl Austin would have you believe:

"

Lions DC Teryl Austin said Gabe Wright fits what team likes at DT: Penetrate, attack, get off blocks and make plays

— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 2, 2015"

The Lions moved up in the fourth round to grab Wright with the express purpose of creating a rotation that will wear out opposing guards. Consider that mission accomplished.

And don't worry about the lack of production from Wright in his senior season. While his tackles for a loss might have been cut in half, it isn't indicative of what he can accomplish on the field, as it was a function of the rotational scheme that Auburn employed.

Linebacker

Nick Wass/Associated Press

LB: Stephen Tulloch, DeAndre Levy, Tahir Whitehead, Kyle Van Noy, Josh Bynes, Travis Lewis, Julian Stanford, Jerrell Harris, Brandon Copeland and Kevin Snyder

There isn't a rookie here who is going to make the roster.

Undrafted free agent Kevin Snyder will get a chance at the practice squad. The Rutgers product probably has bigger goals ahead of minicamp, but he's disillusioned if he thinks he's cracking this unit.

Snyder does have some talent, though. The 6'2", 238-pound linebacker blazed his way to a 4.54-second 40-yard dash to add to his 35" vertical, per Dan Duggan of NJ.com. Both of those numbers are impressive for his position.

However, few teams can rival the linebacking talent of Detroit.

Stephen Tulloch is set to return from his torn ACL and reclaim the middle linebacker spot. That will likely push Whitehead over to the strong side, provided second-year player Kyle Van Noy doesn't take a giant leap forward, with Pro Bowler DeAndre Levy rounding out the starting lineup.

Secondary

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

CB: Darius Slay, Rashean Mathis, Nevin Lawson, Bill Bentley, Alex Carter, Josh Wilson, Quandre Diggs, Mohammed Seisay and Crezdon Butler

FS: Glover Quin and Isa Abdul-Quddus

SS: James Ihedigbo

S: Don Carey, Nate Ness, Isaiah Johnson, Brian Suite and Nathan Lindsey

The secondary will keep the same look almost the entire way around. At a minimum, you can safely presume that the top four (Slay, Mathis, Ihedigbo and Quin) will remain the starters.

However, Detroit did pick up Alex Carter in the third round. While Martin Mayhew might like his potential, he was also smart enough to keep the immediate expectations in check when he spoke to the Detroit Free Press' Dave Birkett:

"

Mayhew on new #Lions CB Alex Carter: "We like what's there as far as the raw material to improve and he's going to be an outstanding player"

— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 2, 2015"

Carter has the size and mentality to make it in Detroit's aggressive defense. Whether he has the feet and hips remains to be seen.

The only change you might see on the top line could come on the inside. Sixth-round pick Quandre Diggs has the ability to give Lawson and Bentley, both healing from season-ending injuries, a run for their money. There's no question that he has the right glide to hang with NFL receivers:

"

Man, I'm Quandre Diggs' footwork at Texas' Pro Day. Again, I don't care what he runs. Don't care how tall he is. Sign me up. Smooth feet!

— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) March 28, 2015"

While Diggs lacks ideal size (5'9"), he's extremely feisty and is a perfect fit in Detroit. Don't be surprised to see a lot of him from the very beginning, especially if Lawson doesn't bounce back quickly from his devastating foot injury.

Special Teams

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

LS: Don Muhlbach

P: Sam Martin

K: Matt Prater and Kyle Brindza

We're trying to keep the focus on the youngsters in this breakdown, but there really isn't any way to do that here:

"

A decade ago Matt Prater served as Jason Hanson's "camp competition." Now Kyle Brindza will fill the leg-saver role for Prater.

— Justin Rogers (@Justin_Rogers) May 2, 2015"

Brindza has as much chance of getting this job as Waka Flocka Flame does of being elected president, although both will surely give it their best shot.

The Notre Dame product is the two-time record-setter at the hallowed football school for single-season scoring, and he nailed all five field goals against LSU in his last college game. However, the writing is on the wall for anyone coming after one of these three jobs.

So take advantage of your opportunity in the preseason, Mr. Brindza, and good luck out there on the market.