Detroit Lions: Full Position Breakdown and Depth Chart Analysis at Right Tackle

The Detroit Lions' front office spent some time this offseason retooling the offensive line. Most would agree with Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News that the unit should be better than last year:

"

On paper, the Lions OL will be better, but paper doesn't play in September. Best way to fix it is to have more quick-developing passes.

— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) May 7, 2015"

His point is well taken. Longer-developing routes can create protection issues. However, what the Lions really need is more consistency—especially at right tackle.

Health knocked LaAdrian Waddle off track in 2014, forcing the Lions to cobble a lineup together. Veteran Garrett Reynolds was generally a disaster. Rookie Cornelius Lucas didn't fare much better.

But that season has passed, so the question now turns to how things are looking for 2015.

Which Way Will He Waddle?

We're not trying to answer the lifelong question of, "Who is Waddle?" We just want to know if he's the guy who cranked out a solid rookie year or an injury-hounded average tackle.

Year	Run-Blocking Grade	Pass-Blocking Grade	Sacks Allowed	Hurries Allowed
2013	4.6	-0.2	0	17
2014	-1.5	4.1	5	12

The answer is somewhere in between.

The run-blocking falloff is easily explained because the whole offensive line struggled to handle offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi's laterally moving scheme. Plus, this would be the area most affected by the calf and knee issues he endured throughout last season, considering the agility required to execute the stretch play.

Nobody likes to see that sack number rise, but it's hard to maintain a perfect record. Injuries would only add to the prolonged protection required by Lombardi's deep dropbacks.

But his numbers were still average despite the ailments. If he can regain his health, he should range from somewhere between average and good.

Waddle's current status, however, is unclear. He told Kyle Meinke of MLive.com that "there['s] a chance" he'll be back for Week 1 because his "knee's feeling good—feeling real good, actually."

The Lions certainly hope so.

Duane Burleson/Associated Press

An Offseason of Seasoning

Even if Waddle's injury lingers, there's no need to hit the panic button. Actually, we can take it a step further and keep the plastic cover locked because Lucas seems ready to step up.

Despite missing minicamp with what head coach Jim Caldwell called a "nick," Lucas told Katzenstein that he's been able "to learn so much over this offseason" and that his growth has "been monumental."

This is huge for a position that lacked credible depth in 2014. Lucas never felt comfortable on the right side, so he's used this offseason to change a few things, as he told Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com:

"

Everything, you know what I’m saying. Like stuff in the weight room, just doing squats and different position drills. Instead of having a left-handed stance, do everything in a right-handed stance. Just get used to being in a right-handed stance.

It’s mainly your balance because playing so much in a left-footed stance, your legs get stronger pushing off. So just doing everything the opposite way.

"

Professional vs. Positional Experience

Michael Williams understands Lucas' struggle, although he might be forced to suppress a smile, considering he wasn't even a tackle two years ago.

"

Tight end Michael Williams has moved to offensive tackle, per team

— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) May 21, 2014"

All reports indicate that Williams is coming along, though. He's gone from feeling "out of place" to feeling like he's "impressing [the] coaches," as Williams put it to Meinke. And those coaches backed that up by giving him first-team reps with the above two injured.

But it's not a lock that Williams will make the roster. Meinke notes that he split those first-team reps with seventh-round pick Corey Robinson during minicamp, giving no indication of which one is currently leading the race.

Once the pads come out, we'll finally see them work it out on the field. There isn't enough concrete evidence to make a solid prediction yet.

However, one thing that seems certain is Detroit's stronger footing at right tackle. Mike Tyson once said, "Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth." The Lions took that punch last year and crafted a better blueprint for 2015 success.

All advanced stats, grades and positional rankings are courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

Brandon Alisoglu is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist who has written about the Lions on multiple sites. He also co-hosts a Lions-centric podcast, Lions Central Radio. Yell at him on Twitter about how wrong he is @BrandonAlisoglu.