Detroit Lions training camp is history, and so too (thankfully) is the first pre-season game. While the Lions sat almost all of their starters — and while the backups did not inspire much confidence — in the preseason opener against the New England Patriots, the two weeks in Allen Park has helped clarify some of the team’s many roster battles.
So with training camp and Week 1 of the preseason complete, let’s take a look at the latest projection of the Lions final 53-man roster.
Quarterback
Lock: Matthew Stafford
Likely safe: Tom Savage
Work to do: David Fales, Josh Johnson
Roster changes: Signed Josh Johnson
Projection (2): Matthew Stafford, Tom Savage
Changes from last roster projection: None
Everyone already knows that if Stafford goes down with any kind of significant injury, the Lions are in big trouble. What we may not have known until after the first pre-season game was just how steep the drop off is from Savage to Fales. Fales struggled mightily against the Patriots, and barring a long-term injury to Savage, it is hard to imagine that Fales is long for the roster. Savage does have a concussion history though, so that is something to watch going forward, and may be why the Lions signed journeyman Josh Johnson to compete for the backup job.
Running back
Locks: Kerryon Johnson, C.J. Anderson
Likely Safe: Zach Zenner, Ty Johnson, Nick Bawden (FB)
Work to do: Mark Thompson, Justin Stockton
Roster changes: Released Theo Riddick; Signed Justin Stockton
Projection (5): Kerryon Johnson, C.J. Anderson, Zach Zenner, Ty Johnson, Nick Bawden
Changes from last roster projection: Theo Riddick out; Zach Zenner in
Riddick was on “cap casualty” watch for a while, and the Lions cut him loose in late July. That was good news for both Zenner and Ty Johnson. Zenner and Johnson have looked good in camp, and Johnson flashed his potentially game-breaking speed against the Patriots. Zenner remains a core special teams player.
Wide Receiver
Locks: Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola
In the fight: Andy Jones, Tommylee Lewis, Brandon Powell, Travis Fulgham, Chris Lacy
Work to do: Jonathan Duhart, Andre Wilson, Tom Kennedy,
Roster changes: Released Deontez Alexander and Brandon Reilly; Placed Jermaine Kearse on injured reserve
Projection (6): Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola, Brandon Powell, Travis Fulgham, Andy Jones
Changes from last roster projection: Jermaine Kearse to IR; Brandon Powell in
The Lions pre-season opener was ugly in almost every respect, but by far the worst part of the game was when Kearse broke his leg and suffered ankle injuries on the Lions opening drive of the game. Kearse had been building a solid rapport with Stafford in camp, and the Lions depth at receiver takes a big blow with him now out for the season. Kearse’s injury opens the door for Powell to make his way onto the final roster. It could also mean that Fulgham and Andy Jones both make the final roster as the team attempts to bolster its receiver depth from within.
Tight end
Locks: T.J. Hockenson, Jesse James
Likely safe: Logan Thomas
In the fight: Isaac Nauta
Work to do: Jerome Cunningham
Roster changes: None
Projection (3): T.J. Hockenson, Jesse James, Logan Thomas
Changes from last roster projection: None
The biggest question at tight end remains: will Nauta make it? There may not be room for him and Nick Bawden both. But if the Lions go with only five wide receivers and not six, suddenly a spot could open up for Nauta. And Nauta has made some impressive catches in camp, including a touchdown catch at the open scrimmage at Ford Field.
Offensive line
Locks: Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow, Rick Wagner, Tyrell Crosby, Joe Dahl
Cap casualty watch: Kenny Wiggins
In the fight: Oday Aboushi, Joe Dahl, Leo Koloamatangi, Andrew Donnal, Ryan Pope, Beau Benzschawel, Luke Bowanko
Work to do: Micah St. Andrew, Matt Nelson
Roster Changes: Joe Dahl signed a two-year contract extension
Projection (9): Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow, Rick Wagner, Joe Dahl, Tyrell Crosby, Luke Bowanko, Kenny Wiggins, an offensive tackle not currently on the roster
Changes from last roster projection: Oday Aboushi, Beau Benzschawel, Ryan Pope out; Luke Bowanko, Kenny Wiggins, new offensive tackle in
While the ugliest part of the Lions-Patriots game was the Kearse’s injury; the most disappointing was how the Lions offensive line was absolutely dominated by the Patriots at every level. It didn’t matter if you were a projected starter (Wiggins), top reserve (Crosby), or a guy fighting for a roster spot (Donnal), it was a bad day all around for the offensive line. That makes projecting who makes the team as reserve linemen especially difficult. Last year, the Lions grabbed their 4th offensive tackle (Donnal) on waivers right before the season started. The team may have to do that again if they have any hope of improving their depth. Bowanko may win a roster spot by default.
Interior defensive line
Locks: Damon Harrison, Da’Shawn Hand, A’Shawn Robinson, Mike Daniels
In the fight: John Atkins, P.J. Johnson, Darius Kilgo, Kevin Strong
Work to do: Ray Smith
Roster Changes: Signed Mike Daniels to a one-year contract; Placed Darius Kilgo on injured reserve
Projection (4): Damon Harrison, Da’Shawn Hand, A’Shawn Robinson, Mike Daniels
Changes from last roster projection: Mike Daniels in; John Atkins out
Adding Daniels made the strongest part of the Lions roster even stronger, giving the team a pass-rushing force from the interior who is a great complement to Harrison. Unfortunately, almost none of the players projected to make the roster on the defensive interior have practiced.
Harrison remains on the Non-Football Injury List; Hand injured his elbow early in camp; Daniels has done little more than individual work since his signing from Green Bay; and Robinson missed the first week of camp due to a personal issue and has practiced sparingly since. That made me want to find room for a guy like Atkins, who has shown flashes as a backup nose tackle, or undrafted rookie Strong, who has been one of the most impressive linemen in camp, but I couldn’t make it work in this projection.
If the Lions don’t want to go heavy in the secondary, this is likely a spot where the Lions would add a body.
EDGE defender
Locks: Trey Flowers, Romeo Okwara, Devon Kennard, Austin Bryant
In the fight: Eric Lee, Mitchell Loewen, Malik Carney
Work to do: Jonathan Wynn
Roster changes: None
Projection (5): Trey Flowers, Romeo Okwara, Devon Kennard, Austin Bryant, Eric Lee
Changes from last roster projection: Malik Carney out; Eric Lee in
This is yet another area where injuries have taken their toll. Prized free-agent acquisition Flowers was just activated from the PUP list, while Kennard and Bryant have each missed time with injuries. So too has undrafted rookie Carney, who had an inside track to a roster spot before his injury. Lee had the most snaps of any Lions defender in the Patriots game, has positional flexibility to play both EDGE spots, and he has Patriots ties, so he gets the nod for now. Loewen has also impressed in camp and could be a sleeper.
Linebacker
Locks: Jarrad Davis, Jahlani Tavai
Likely safe: Christian Jones
In the fight: Miles Killebrew, Steve Longa, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Tre Lamar, Garret Dooley
Work to do: Anthony Pittman
Roster Changes: None
Projection (5): Jarrad Davis, Jahlani Tavai, Christian Jones, Miles Killebrew, Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Changes from last roster projection: Steve Longa out, Jalen Reeves-Maybin in
Sometimes when you do these roster projections, you have to admit when you are wrong. Before camp, I had Reeves-Maybin as one of my last cuts. He’s back in after a strong two weeks in Allen Park. Longa would be in due to his special teams value, but he’s still recovering from last season’s torn ACL. Killebrew deserves a lot of credit for making himself a part of the linebacker rotation and showing that he’s more than just a special teams player.
Cornerback
Locks: Darius Slay, Justin Coleman, Rashaan Melvin, Amani Oruwariye
In the fight: Jamal Agnew, Marcus Cooper, Teez Tabor, Mike Ford
Work to do: Dee Virgin, Andre Chachere, Johnathan Alston
Roster changes: Signed Johnathan Alston to a one-year contract.
Projection (5): Darius Slay, Justin Coleman, Rashaan Melvin, Amani Oruwariye, Jamal Agnew
Changes from last roster projection: Marcus Cooper out
In trying to find a roster spot for special teams standout Charles Washington, I decided to find that room at cornerback. Nobody has stood out for the sixth and final cornerback spot, so I cut it in this projection. Tabor, Virgin (who also can help on special teams) and Ford remain in the mix if the Lions do want to keep six corners. So long as Agnew remains the top return-man option, his spot on the roster is secure.
Safety
Locks: Quandre Diggs, Tracy Walker, Will Harris
Potential Cap Casualty: Tavon Wilson
In the fight: Andrew Adams, Charles Washington, C.J. Moore
Roster changes: None
Projection (6): Quandre Diggs, Tracy Walker, Will Harris, Tavon Wilson, Andrew Adams, Charles Washington
Changes from last roster projection: Charles Washington in
Adams has had a nice training camp and has continually put his hands on the football just as he did last season for Tampa Bay. That remains his ticket to the roster. Washington remains the team’s best gunner on special teams, and he may return to his special-teams-only role from last season.
Special teams
Locks: Don Muhlbach, Matt Prater
Likely safe: Sam Martin
Work to do: Ryan Santoso
Roster changes: None
Projection (3): Don Muhlbach, Matt Prater and Sam Martin
Changes from last roster projection: None
Ryan Santoso could still sneak in here, but Sam Martin remains the favorite.
