53-Man Roster Projection 2.0
On Monday, the Detroit Lions trimmed their roster. The organization announced five cuts to get down to the mandatory 80-player limit, heading into the preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts.
Among the cuts were quarterback Jordan Ta’amu, nose tackle PJ Johnson, running back Javon Leake, linebacker Robert McCray and wide receiver Darius Jennings.
A lot can change over the course of the next two weeks leading up to cut day, but the Lions are settling into a groove, as far as who is going to be on the roster in Week 1.
Here’s who I believe the Lions will keep on their 53-man roster.
Quarterback (3)
- Jared Goff
- Tim Boyle
- David Blough
I feel fairly comfortable making this decision to keep three quarterbacks, as Lions head coach Dan Campbell himself said he’s comfortable keeping all three guys.
“I’d have no problem keeping all three, I’d start with that,” Campbell said. “If there’s three worthy of keeping. And right now, I would say that Boyle and Blough, man, the more reps they get, the better they’re going to be for it. And, if you feel like you have three that you can trust, then, it’s hard to let go of one of those guys.”
Goff is undoubtedly the starter. Currently, Blough may have the upper hand at the backup spot, thanks to his performance against Pittsburgh last week.
Running back (4)
- D’Andre Swift
- Jamaal Williams
- Jermar Jefferson
- Jason Cabinda (Fullback)
Swift and Williams are locks. Outside of those two, however, it’s hard to tell, because we’ve seen very little of Jefferson. Maybe the reason for that is because Campbell and company feel comfortable about him.
Craig Reynolds and Godwin Igwebuike are both nice stories, but ultimately, I don’t see them as worthy of stealing a roster spot. Jefferson has played a bit on special teams during the preseason, a sign that the Lions see him as a versatile piece in the early part of his career.
Wide receiver (5)
- Tyrell Williams
- Breshad Perriman
- Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Kalif Raymond
- Quintez Cephus
Tom Kennedy has had an outstanding preseason, showing his abilities as a pass-catcher. However, I think the Lions elect against keeping him, in favor of another player who could contribute more on special teams.
Raymond will likely get the first crack at the return duties, making him a lock to make the team. Cephus is due for an uptick in action after last season. Kennedy can certainly make things interesting with a similar performance in the preseason finale. But, right now, I just don’t think there’s enough value in keeping him.
Tight end (3)
- T.J. Hockenson
- Darren Fells
- Brock Wright
While Hockenson and Fells making the team is a certainty, things get dicey in terms of the third tight end spot. Position coach Ben Johnson said Monday that Alize Mack began camp getting more reps at the position, but things have evened out.
Wright, an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame, gets the edge this time around. Johnson was high on his abilities -- and not just as an inline blocker but also as a receiver.
“I have a lot of confidence, in terms of what he can do in the pass game, being a reliable receiver and stretching the field,” Johnson said. “He can catch that ball across the field more than teams think. So, I’m encouraged by what he brings to the table as a receiver, as opposed to what he showed on his college tape.”
This one is a toss-up at this point, as neither Mack or Wright have seized the position.
Offensive line (9)
- Frank Ragnow
- Halapoulivaati Vaitai
- Penei Sewell
- Jonah Jackson
- Taylor Decker
- Tyrell Crosby
- Evan Brown
- Matt Nelson
- Logan Stenberg
Having Crosby as the first man off the bench at either tackle or guard will undoubtedly help, but that’s assuming he’s healthy. Because of the uncertainty, both Brown and Nelson make the opening day roster.
This decision offers the Lions insurance. Brown is a guard, and Nelson is a tackle. Having that depth is helpful, giving Detroit plenty of insurance.
Defensive line (6)
- Michael Brockers
- Alim McNeill
- Levi Onwuzurike
- Da’Shawn Hand
- Nick Williams
- Kevin Strong
Strong has played his way into a roster spot over the last two weeks. He’s been good in each of the preseason games, and offers comfortability at the position. Onwuzurike and McNeill will likely get large rep counts, as the season progresses and their development will be fun to follow.
John Penisini doesn’t make the cut, as I just haven’t seen enough from him. It’s going to be a tight race for that last spot, but the edge goes to Strong right now because of his performance.
EDGE (4)
- Trey Flowers
- Romeo Okwara
- Julian Okwara
- Austin Bryant
With the top three as locks, there’s not a ton to dissect here. There’s always been a plan in place to limit Brockers during the preseason, so there are more opportunities for the youngsters to play and prove their worth.
Yet, Brockers making the team is inevitable. I’m giving the last roster spot at the position to Bryant, as he’s been solid in the preseason and good in practice.
Linebackers (5)
- Jamie Collins
- Alex Anzalone
- Derrick Barnes
- Jalen Reeves-Maybin
- Anthony Pittman
Keeping Jahlani Tavai is becoming tough to justify. He’s struggled mightily in the preseason. The same issues plaguing him last season are rearing their ugly heads once again.
Pittman, meanwhile, has performed well in camp, and gets the last roster spot. Expect him to continue to compete for the right to climb up the depth chart.
Also, it’s only a matter of time before Barnes gets his shot at opponents' starters. How he fares will determine his role, heading into the regular season.
Cornerback (7)
- Jeff Okudah
- Amani Oruwariye
- Mike Ford
- Ifeatu Melifonwu
- Nickell Robey-Coleman
- Bobby Price
- A.J. Parker
One of the more interesting storylines to follow is Parker’s ascension of the depth chart. He’s been repping with the starters, as the nickel corner in practice, and played well against the Steelers. This undrafted rookie could see some time in the regular season – and soon.
Price gets the edge on a roster spot over a player like Kennedy, because of his special teams abilities. He can be a gunner or even potentially line up on the inside on punt and kick coverage. Corn Elder, an offseason signing, misses out.
Safety (4)
- Tracy Walker
- Dean Marlowe
- Will Harris
- CJ Moore
The Lions really don’t have a ton of questions at safety, in terms of roster construction. Price can double as a safety, as can Price and Robey-Coleman, if need be. Thanks to that depth, this decision may be fairly easy.
Specialists (3)
- Randy Bullock (K)
- Jack Fox (P)
- Scott Daly (LS)
Not a ton of questions here, either. Bullock looks to have won the kicking battle with Zane Gonzalez, while the cut of Don Muhlbach means that Daly will be Detroit’s starting long snapper.
Fox, meanwhile, continues to launch beautiful punts. Optimism around the Lions’ special teams unit should be fairly high, at least for the punter.
