Lions' Best 2021 53-Man Roster

The Detroit Lions will soon announce which players made the 53-man roster and who will comprise the 16-man practice squad.

"I told you guys this before, the hardest thing is to have urgency and patience at the same time. I don’t know how to do that, but I’m working on it," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said, following the team's preseason finale Friday evening. "But, I am encouraged. There’s things that I see from all three phases that we’re improving in. We are.”

Here’s the best roster that Campbell & Co. could set, in order to win games early in the 2021 NFL season.

Quarterback (2)

Jared Goff
David Blough

Backup quarterback Tim Boyle did not show enough to merit keeping him on the roster this season.

It would be in the Lions' best interest to use the roster spot to shore up the offense or to add depth in the secondary.

Running back (6)

D’Andre Swift
Jamaal Williams
Jermar Jefferson
Godwin Igwebuike
Craig Reynolds
Jason Cabinda (Fullback)

Wide receiver (5)

Tyrell Williams
Javon McKinley
Amon-Ra St. Brown
Kalif Raymond
Quintez Cephus

The Lions need to go younger during their retooling process.

Breshad Perriman did not take advantage of the opportunity to play more during the preseason finale.

Based on his play all throughout the preseason, it is best to move on and to give the roster spot to Javon McKinley, an undrafted rookie free agent.

Tight end (2)

T.J. Hockenson
Darren Fells

Outside of the top two on the depth chart, nobody seized the opportunity to earn a roster spot.

It is likely that if a third tight end will play in Detroit's offense, they are currently playing for another team in the league.

Offensive line (9)

Frank Ragnow
Halapoulivaati Vaitai
Penei Sewell
Jonah Jackson
Taylor Decker
Tyrell Crosby
Evan Brown
Matt Nelson
Logan Stenberg

Defensive line (6)

Michael Brockers
Alim McNeill
Levi Onwuzurike
Bruce Hector
John Penisini
Kevin Strong

Unfortunately, it is time to move on from Da'Shawn Hand and Nick Williams, in favor of players who can be counted on to play on Sundays and most importantly, make plays.

The Lions still have Jashon Cornell, who will start the season on the suspended list.

EDGE (5)

Trey Flowers
Romeo Okwara
Julian Okwara
Austin Bryant
Charles Harris

Linebackers (4)

Jamie Collins
Alex Anzalone
Derrick Barnes
Jalen Reeves-Maybin

Keeping Jahlani Tavai this long was curious, at best. It is the beginning of the Derrick Barnes era in Motown.

Cornerback (7)

Jeff Okudah
Amani Oruwariye
Mike Ford
Ifeatu Melifonwu
Nickell Robey-Coleman
Bobby Price
A.J. Parker

Safety (4)

Tracy Walker
Dean Marlowe
Will Harris
CJ Moore

Specialists (3)

Randy Bullock (K)
Jack Fox (P)
Scott Daly (LS)