Lions' Post Minicamp 53-Man Roster Prediction
The Detroit Lions have wrapped up mandatory minicamp and are just one week away from the final break before training camp.
With next week set to be the final week of Organized Team Activities, it will be the last time the team practices together before training camp opens in late July.
The Lions will keep the majority of the 90-man roster together all through the preseason, as there is just one set roster deadline before the start of the regular season.
Here's the latest prediction of what the team's 53-man roster could look like when the regular season begins.
Quarterbacks (2)
- Jared Goff
- Nate Sudfeld
- Hendon Hooker (PUP)
With Hooker likely to begin the year as an inactive, Sudfeld should make the roster as the backup to Goff.
Even after the rookie is activated, he'll still have to catch up on what he's going to miss this offseason. Because of that, his veteran counterpart should be safe as the backup.
Running backs (4)
- David Montgomery
- Jahmyr Gibbs
- Mohamed Ibrahim
- Jason Cabinda (FB)
A scene during last season's 'Hard Knocks' in which Campbell and the staff debated releasing Craig Reynolds may prove telling.
Ibrahim was a surprising UDFA who had a good career at Minnesota. If he can translate his talent into a strong training camp, he'll have a solid shot to make the roster as the third running back.
Wide receivers (6)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Marvin Jones Jr.
- Josh Reynolds
- Kalif Raymond
- Antoine Green
- Maurice Alexander
- Jameson Williams (Suspended)
Williams' suspension creates the need for production from the Lions' depth. Expect Raymond to be a key piece of the offense early in the season.
Alexander gets the final nod because of his abilities on special teams, but there's at least one, if not two, spots available for the taking after the preseason.
Tight ends (4)
- Brock Wright
- Sam LaPorta
- Shane Zylstra
- James Mitchell
The Lions have an interesting dilemma at this position. They felt good about the trio they had last year, then added Sam LaPorta to the mix in the draft.
With Detroit's power-run scheme calling for multiple tight ends, it wouldn't be a surprise to see all four crack the roster.
Zylstra's versatility makes it hard to leave him off the list, as does Mitchell's potential. For now, we'll say all four are safe.
Offensive line (8)
- Frank Ragnow
- Halapoulivaati Vaitai
- Jonah Jackson
- Taylor Decker
- Penei Sewell
- Graham Glasgow
- Colby Sorsdal
- Matt Nelson
The starting five is all but set, with Graham Glasgow the only potential challenger to crack the lineup at this point.
Sorsdal should be safe with his versatility to play either guard or tackle, and Nelson has been solid in spot duty the last two seasons.
Defensive line (4)
- Alim McNeill
- Isaiah Buggs
- Levi Onwuzurike
- Brodric Martin
Time will tell if Onwuzurike is ready to go by the time the season starts, so he is a candidate to potentially start the year on the PUP list.
If that becomes the case, then Christian Covington would likely be the front-runner for the final spot.
However, I'm banking on Onwuzurike being ready to go given the fact that he's been cleared to run and should be ready by training camp.
EDGE (7)
- Aidan Hutchinson
- James Houston
- Charles Harris
- Romeo Okwara
- Josh Paschal
- John Cominsky
- Julian Okwara
There's plenty of depth at this spot. Several of the players, such as Cominsky and Paschal, also have the ability to slide inside and play down.
This group is one of the deepest on roster and should have plenty of success in 2023.
Linebacker (5)
- Alex Anzalone
- Jack Campbell
- Derrick Barnes
- Malcolm Rodriguez
- Jalen Reeves-Maybin
The battle for the starting spot will be an exciting one to follow throughout training camp. Alex Anzalone is entrenched as one leader, but his running mate is still to be determined.
The final spot at this position goes to Reeves-Maybin for his special teams versatility, though Anthony Pittman will certainly put up a fight.
Cornerback (5)
- Cameron Sutton
- Emmanuel Moseley
- Jerry Jacobs
- Will Harris
- Chase Lucas
Detroit's cornerback room has two fresh faces that will lead the charge. Jerry Jacobs will serve as strong competition and is capable of stepping in at any point.
Lucas and Harris both have nickel versatility and give the team depth.
Safety (5)
- C.J. Gardner-Johnson
- Tracy Walker III
- Kerby Joseph
- Brian Branch
- Ifeatu Melifonwu
Melifonwu has been solid throughout minicamp and should be comfortably on the roster. Campbell spoke Thursday of the versatility he has having started his career as a corner.
Gardner-Johnson and Branch have similar capabilities as both corners and safeties, and Walker and Joseph will bring familiarity in the back-half.
Specialists (3)
- Michael Badgley (K)
- Jack Fox (P)
- Jake McQuaide (LS)
Until Parker Romo wins a head-to-head battle, I'm banking on Badgley being the team's kicker. His body of work is the best of the three options.
Romo seems to have out-kicked Patterson at points, but he'll have to get the best of Badgley to give the Lions the comfort they're looking for in a kicker.
I'm expecting the change at long snapper, as McQuaide's expertise outweighs what Daly offered for Detroit the last two seasons.
