DETROIT — After three days of rookie minicamp, Lions coach Jim Schwartz would not rank quarterback Matthew Stafford's position on the depth chart.

Stafford said he didn't know where he ranked and was more interested in improving.

But general manager Martin Mayhew, though noting it is early in the off-season, conceded that veteran quarterback Daunte Culpepper would be considered the starter right now.

"He's a pro, and I trust Daunte," Mayhew said. "He's got a lot of ability, and I anticipate that if we had something to do today, Daunte would be the guy today. But we've got a lot of time to work, and we'll see how it goes."

The rookies will get a break and join the full team May 18. Schwartz said at that point he still doesn't think there will be a depth chart.

"It might change every single period," Schwartz said. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there. Part of our message has been nobody's earned a job yet."

Stafford said he was not concerned with the depth chart.

"No, it's about knowing what you're doing," he said. "That's the main thing about the quarterback position. Doesn't matter who's around you, you've got to be able to make it work."

QB CRITIQUE: Schwartz said he did not fully appreciate Stafford's throws until he watched film.

"Quite honestly, I didn't realize how well he was throwing the ball until I watched film and then you see the balls put right on those wide receivers," Schwartz said.

Mayhew was a little more critical.

"I thought a couple times he rushed himself and he missed a couple things," Mayhew said. "Then there were a couple times he threw some balls and it was like, 'Wow, I haven't seen anybody throw a ball like that in a long time.'

"So I think that's the way it's going to be for a while with him. He's going to do some things that are really exciting and get everybody energized and enthused, and he's going to make some rookie mistakes."

MAKING THEIR MARK: Schwartz was impressed with the pass-catching ability of sixth-round pick Aaron Brown, a hybrid running back-receiver who also returns kickoffs. Schwartz also liked the blazing speed of running back Antoine Smith, a tryout player from Florida State, in the passing game.

Quarterback Justin Goltz, from Division III Occidental College in Los Angeles, also might have a shot at getting into training camp. "Oh, yeah," Schwartz said. "I don't think he was out of place. I've been around a lot of NFL training camps, and you worry about a guy when he's coming from a small level or lower level of competition like Occidental. But I think he came in and he did well out here."

Goltz will return to Los Angeles to work out and has an offer to play this fall for the San Francisco franchise in the new United Football League.