Lions' Bubble Watch after Loss to Jaguars: Defense
Just as is the case on the offensive side of the ball, the Detroit Lions will have some interesting roster decisions to make on the defensive side heading into the regular season.
Through two preseason games, multiple defensive players have improved their odds of making Detroit's season-opening roster (i.e. Julian Okwara and Starling Thomas V), while others have done the complete opposite.
Without further ado, let's take a look at the Lions' defensive players who are currently on the roster bubble.
Interior defensive line
- Benito Jones
- Christian Covington
- Cory Durden
- Chris Smith
Durden did emerge as a solid run-stuffing presence against the Jaguars, and ended up accumulating six total stops.
However, at this present juncture, I don't see any of the above names, outside of Jones, cracking the Lions' season-opening roster.
I don't think Jones is a lock, but I think his propensity for stopping the run will be enough to earn the big-bodied tackle a roster spot headed into the 2023 season.
EDGE
- Julian Okwara
- Romeo Okwara
Yes, as surprising as it may sound, the Okwara brothers could be on the roster bubble heading into the Lions' final preseason contest.
While it's true that both Julian and Romeo have the ability to "flash" and make an impact at any given moment, they've each also struggled to consistently be productive in recent memory. Additionally, Detroit's roster is full of options at the EDGE position, including second-year pros Aidan Hutchinson, James Houston and Josh Paschal, as well as veterans John Cominsky and Charles Harris.
At this present juncture, I believe that the Okwara brothers will each make Detroit's 53-man roster out of camp, especially after Julian's three-sack effort in the Lions' preseason opener against the Giants.
However, it still wouldn't completely shock me if one of them is cut prior to the start of the regular season.
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Romeo Okwara
Kirthmon F. Dozier, USA TODAY NETWORK
Linebacker
- Anthony Pittman
- Trevor Nowaske
Pittman and Nowaske put together decent performances in the Lions' exhibition tilt with New York, recording four tackles each.
Yet, with Detroit's linebackers room already consisting of four strong training camp performers (Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Malcolm Rodriguez and Derrick Barnes), plus a special teams ace (Jalen Reeves-Maybin), I don't see it being worth it for the team to also carry Pittman and Nowaske.
Pittman does carry some nice special teams value, and Nowaske is just a rookie and does possess a bit of upside. However, at this point, I see both starting the season on the Lions' practice squad.
Cornerback
- Starling Thomas V
- Khalil Dorsey
- Steven Gilmore
- Saivion Smith
- Colby Richardson
Thomas and Gilmore have been pretty steady performers all camp long.
Against Jacksonville, Thomas showcased the ability to make an impact as a kick returner, while Gilmore amassed a couple pass breakups and an interception.
I think the two of them have basically locked up roster spots, while Dorsey, Smith and Richardson are all headed for the chopping block.
Safety
- Ifeatu Melifonwu
- Brandon Joseph
- Brady Breeze
- Scott Nelson
Of the safeties above, I believe that Joseph has the best chance of cracking the Lions' season-opening roster. He's been a standout performer throughout camp and the first two weeks of the preseason. He recorded the game-sealing interception against the Giants, and followed that up with a six-tackle performance this past Saturday against Jacksonville.
I'm a proponent of Joseph making the team's roster out of camp. However, I understand that it'll be an uphill battle for the Notre Dame product, with C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Kerby Joseph and Tracy Walker being locks to make the roster at safety.
Meanwhile, I don't see Melifonwu, Breeze or Nelson having a realistic shot of earning a roster spot.
