Mike O'Hara

And now, introducing the 2011 Detroit Lions lineup ... to open the 2012 season against the St. Louis Rams.

Except for injuries, there are very few changes among the starters who led the Lions to a 10-6 record and a wild-card playoff berth last season.

There will be some roster tweaking as General Manager Martin Mayhew looks for bargains and upgrades from players who either were upgrades or could be available in trades.

Coach Jim Schwartz alluded to how the Lions never stop looking to improve their talent level in his comments leading up to Friday night’s mandatory cuts to the 53-player roster maximum.

“Wherever we start during the year doesn’t necessarily mean we’ll finish with that,” Schwartz said. “There’s a lot of different ways to work your roster when it comes to the end.”

The NFL’s personnel merry-go-round and rumor mill were racing in lockstep, and the Lions got mention as a landing place for one prominent veteran.

Reports had veteran cornerback Drayton Florence, released Friday by the Broncos, signing with the Lions. Nothing final was expected until Sunday, but Florence’s starting experience works in his favor. He started 45 of 48 games the last three seasons for Buffalo.

It is no secret that the Lions have been looking to upgrade depth at running back and the defensive backfield. Both positions have been hit by injuries.

There could be roster shuffling in those areas by the time the Lions return to practice on Monday.

There were no major surprises in Friday’s cuts. With an eye to the future, here’s an analysis of the 53-player roster - with a word of caution. Martin Mayhew doesn’t stand pat.

Quarterback: Matthew Stafford and Shaun Hill return as franchise quarterback and backup. Rookie Kellen Moore survived the final cut, ending speculation – for now – on whether the Lions would keep two or three players at the position.

The only change from last year involves Drew Stanton, a Lion since 2008. He signed with the Jets as a free agent and was traded to the Colts after the Jets acquired Tim Tebow.

Running back: Keep an eye on the depth chart. This position is ripe for change with Jahvid Best on the physically-unable-to-perform list and Mikel Leshoure serving a two-game suspension.

Kevin Smith is the only back on the roster with substantial starting experience. Keiland Williams and Stefan Logan are part-time contributors. Rookie Joique Bell of Wayne State made it, but who knows for how long?

Wide receivers: A stellar unit, with Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson and Titus Young leading the way. Rookie Ryan Broyles can contribute sooner than expected. Rookie Patrick Edwards made the practice squad.

Offensive line: The same starting five back for the third straight year – Jeff Backus, Rob Sims, Dominic Raiola, Stephen Peterman and Gosder Cherilus. Backup tackle Jason Fox stayed healthy.

One to watch: rookie Riley Reiff. He got playing time at tackle and guard in the preseason.

Tight end: There was no room for anyone to make the roster with the same three back from last year – Brandon Pettigrew, Tony Scheffler and Will Heller.

Defensive line: There’s talent and depth at end and tackle, and the front four should be more dominant and disruptive than last year. Ndamukong Suh looked like the Suh of 2010, not the lesser version of last year.

Cliff Avril, Kyle Vanden Bosch and Willie Young will bring the heat from the outside.

Rookie Ronnell Lewis is the only newcomer.

Linebacker: Having the three starters returning – DeAndre Levy, Stephen Tulloch and Justin Durant – means the front seven from last year is intact. The Lions liked the young depth so much that seven were kept at the position instead of six, which is standard for a 4-3 defense.

Secondary: There were questions going into camp, and there still are.

Safety Louis Delmas is the leader of the group and will be missed until he returns from recent knee surgery.

Houston sprained an ankle in the third preseason game, and his status is in doubt.

Rookie Bill Bentley won a starting job in camp. Jacob Lacey, a free-agent addition in the offseason, could start at the other corner.

The injury to Delmas and the demotion of Amari Spievey left Erik Coleman and John Wendling as the starting safeties.

Depending on how much he has left, Florence could provide immediate help, even if it’s temporary. He has good size at an even 6 feet and 193 pounds, and he has been a consistent starter the last eight seasons for the Chargers, Jaguars and Bills.

Special teams: No changes, and none needed. Back are Jason Hanson (kicker), Ben Graham (punter), Don Muhlbach (snapper) and Stefan Logan (returns).

Coverage improved in the last two games. The last addition of Kasim Osgood helped.