Detroit Lions Draft 2012: 5 Starters That Could Be Unseated by Incoming Rookies

The 2012 NFL Draft is nearly upon us and for Detroit Lions fans, it can't come soon enough. During the last month, a vast array of draft predictions and mocks have given us a glimpse of the prospects Detroit might target.

Everyone—players included—will be sitting on the edge of their seats anticipating who the Lions will add to their already deep roster.

A handful of current Lions may be paying particularly close attention to the results. That's because their standing with the team could be significantly impacted by who is chosen.

Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Ndamukong Suh know where they stand. The only thing that could impact their playing time is injury. Many other Lions have cemented their starting jobs as well.

Others have a more tenuous grasp.

Here are five Lions that should be nervous.

DeAndre Levy (and Justin Durant)

Stephen Tulloch is the man in the middle for Detroit's linebacking unit. The Lions rely on him heavily to make plays and he will be on the field nearly every down. Especially after signing a five-year $25.5 million contract in March.

DeAndre Levy and Justin Durant are the outside linebackers in Detroit's 4-3 defensive scheme and both had very solid years last year as well.

Yet, both of them could see their playing time reduced. The draft has a number of NFL-ready linebacking prospects that the Lions could target.

A player like Alabama's Courtney Upshaw or Illiniois' Whitney Mercilus could still be available in Round 1 when the Lions select.

If the top-tier cornerbacks are off the board, I can envision Martin Mayhew, with his best-player-available philosophy, selecting either of these guys. 

I'll admit that this could happen, but it's not likely. Levy and Durant are solid veterans and defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham is not known for relying on rookies. 

There is a chance second-year linebacker Doug Hogue could take a significant chunk of playing time away from either of them though.

According to this article from Freep.com, the Lions are "high on the Hogue" and they hint at him having a bigger role in 2012.

Training camp and preseason will be the indicators of how big his role will be.

Both Levy and Durant could see their playing time reduced either by Hogue or a rookie phenom. With that said, out of the five players I've highlighted in this article, I believe they are the safest.

Stefan Logan

Stefan Logan has been the Lions' jack of all trades for two seasons now. He is the primary return man and he lines up as a receiver and running back from time to time.

Despite his utility, he failed to make an impact in any aspect of the game last season. He also committed a handful of costly errors. Such as the late-game penalty in New Orleans last December.

When it comes down to it, Logan took a step backwards in 2011. He is not skilled enough as a receiver to contribute in the passing game and the Lions have better weapons to use as a change of pace back in the rushing game. 

The most damning evidence are his pedestrian numbers returning the football. Those numbers were down significantly from 2010.

One could point to the changes the NFL made to the kicking game as the reason for that.

While that is true, those changes also mean that the return specialist has to make the most out of each opportunity.

Logan did not do that.

The Lions will likely add a speedy receiver in the later rounds of the draft. Michigan State's Keshawn Martin or Jarius Wright from Arkansas are perfect examples.  

Given Detroit's current receiving corp, a rookie receiver won't see much playing time with the offense. Plenty of action could be seen in the return game though.

With that said, Logan could have some stiff competition this offseason.

Stephen Peterman

Fans have been screaming for years that the Detroit Lions' offensive line stinks. Jeff Backus is the most ridiculed member of that unit, but he is in fact the most consistent lineman they have.

He is also capable of playing well for another year or two, before age and injury start to impact his effectiveness.

For that reason, it is actually the right side of the offensive line that could use upgrading immediately.

Stephen Peterman is inconsistent, not horrible, but not great either. The Lions will be drafting an offensive lineman early in the draft. Actually, it would not surprise me if they ended up drafting two—a tackle and a guard.

Even though it is rare for rookie lineman to start, I don't think it would take much for Peterman to be pushed out of the starting lineup.

Aaron Berry

Aaron Berry is a second-year cornerback who was pressed into the starting lineup last year due to Chris Houston's injury.

Because of his age and lack of experience, it is understandable that he was inconsistent. In fact, during the Lions' Wild Card loss to New Orleans, Berry's play was forgettable.

Unfortunately, his remarks on Twitter after the game were not however.

Regardless of his play last year, it is assumed that Berry will be the Lions' other starting corner alongside Houston.

After losing Eric Wright to free agency, who else do the Lions have? Alphonso Smith?

He had his chance and failed.

The draft could blow up Berry's chances of locking up a starting job though. There is no doubt the Lions will draft a cornerback early—in the first or second round.

If not, there will be a collective "thud" heard throughout Motown as everyone's jaw hits the floor.

If Detroit is able to land a cornerback such as Dre Kirkpatrick, Stephen Gilmore or Janoris Jenkins, Berry will be in a time-share situation, or possibly find himself third or fourth on the depth chart.

Gosder Cherilus

As I said earlier, the right side of the Lions offensive line is the side that could use an immediate upgrade. Gosder Cherilus might be the poster boy for this sentiment.

Drafted in the first-round of the 2008 draft, many would agree that he has been a huge disappointment. His play is inconsistent and he makes huge mental mistakes.

For those reasons, he's been benched a number of times. Most recently for two games to start the 2011 season.

I already mentioned that the Lions will be looking for an offensive lineman early in the draft, particularly a left tackle. Several tackle prospects are versatile enough to play either side. Such as Jonathan Martin, Cordy Glenn or Mike Adams. 

Many experts have predicted the Lions will draft such a player and have him start at right tackle for a year or two, before eventually taking over for Jeff Backus at left.

If that happens, Cherilus would be the odd man out.

Another factor that does not work in his favor is that Detroit has several young tackles already on their roster that could challenge him for playing time. 

Jason Fox is someone who has struggled with injuries, but is now healthy. This is a do-or-die year for him with Detroit. The Lions need to see if he can play or not. Fox would likely take playing time away from Cherilus, not Backus.

Cherilus will also be a free agent following the 2012 season. Given his history with Detroit, it's hard to imagine they re-sign him.

If they are not going to re-sign him, then why not give Fox or Johnny Culbreath a chance to play and prove why they should be a part of the Lions' plans going forward.