Rookies and selected veterans have already started to report to Allen Park, and training camp will open in earnest in just a few days. Which makes this a perfect time to take another look at the Detroit Lions roster, and take a stab at projecting who will cash in those 53 golden tickets when camp comes to a close.
The Lions currently have 89 players on their roster — one short of the maximum of 90. And the salary cap remains in good shape with just over $23 million in space according to OverTheCap. Don’t be surprised if the Lions use some of that space to sign some of their key veterans to much-needed extensions this summer.
Heading into camp, there remain at least 12-15 spots across the board that are too close to call. Let’s take a look at how those battles shape up as training camp begins.
Quarterback
Lock: Matthew Stafford
Likely safe: Tom Savage
Work to do: David Fales
Changes: Waived Connor Cook; signed David Fales
Projection (2): Matthew Stafford, Tom Savage
The Connor Cook experiment did not last long. The Lions waived the former Michigan State Spartan after he was outplayed in OTAs by veteran Tom Savage. The Lions then brought in David Fales to act as the third-stringer, but it would be a mighty upset if anyone other than Savage was this year’s backup quarterback.
Running back
Locks: Kerryon Johnson, C.J. Anderson
Cap casualty watch: Theo Riddick
In the fight: Zach Zenner, Ty Johnson, Nick Bawden (FB)
Work to do: Mark Thompson
Projection (5): Kerryon Johnson, C.J. Anderson, Theo Riddick, Ty Johnson, Nick Bawden
Not much has changed here since after the draft. Kerryon Johnson and C.J. Anderson remain the team’s 1-2 punch, and there will be heavy competition for the remaining 2-to-3 spots. Will Nick Bawden be healthy after tearing his ACL last year? Will the team even keep a fullback? How does Theo Riddick’s significant cap hit impact his chances of making the final roster? This will be one of the more interesting battles to watch in camp.
Wide Receiver
Locks: Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola
Likely safe: Jermaine Kearse
In the fight: Andy Jones, Tommylee Lewis, Brandon Powell, Travis Fulgham
Work to do: Deontez Alexander, Chris Lacy, Jonathan Duhart, Andre Wilson, Tom Kennedy, Brandon Reilly
Changes: Signed Jermaine Kearse to a one-year contract; Signed Brandon Reilly to a one-year contract
Projection (6): Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola, Jermaine Kearse, Travis Fulgham, Andy Jones
The Lions signaled that they weren’t thrilled with their depth at wide receiver when they signed former Seattle Seahawk Jermaine Kearse to a one-year deal back in June. Kearse has experience with Darrell Bevell’s offense and can play both inside and outside. If he makes the team, it’s possible the Lions go short at the position and only keep four wide receivers. But they could also keep as many as six, especially given the value that Andy Jones brings on special teams. This is another one to watch throughout camp.
Tight end
Locks: T.J. Hockenson, Jesse James
Likely safe: Logan Thomas
In the fight: Isaac Nauta
Work to do: Jerome Cunningham
Changes: Traded, then waived, Michael Roberts; Waived Nate Becker and Donald Parham
Projection (3): T.J. Hockenson, Jesse James, Logan Thomas
The release of Michael Roberts (after a failed trade to New England) means that the Lions will have an entirely new tight-end room come September. And they needed it. T.J. Hockenson and Jesse James will be the primary options, but athletic and raw Logan Thomas impressed during OTAs. Seventh-round draft pick Isaac Nauta may have a chance to make the team as an H-back.
Offensive line
Locks: Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow, Rick Wagner, Tyrell Crosby
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
Changes: Signed Luke Bowanko to a one-year contract
Projection (9): Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow, Tyrell Crosby, Oday Aboushi, Rick Wanger, Beau Benzschawel, Ryan Pope, Joe Dahl
The top five offensive linemen on the Lions are locked in, but Frank Ragnow appears to be your new starting center, and even if Tyrell Crosby is considered one of the team’s top five linemen, it does not appear that he’ll be starting at guard this fall (it looks likely that he’ll be back as the top reserve tackle). Kenny Wiggins, Oday Aboushi, Joe Dahl, Beau Benzschawel and even newcomer Luke Bowanko (who has starting experience) will fight it out for both the starting and depth spots.
Interior defensive line
Locks: Damon Harrison, Da’Shawn Hand, A’Shawn Robinson
In the fight: John Atkins, P.J. Johnson, Darius Kilgo
Work to do: Ray Smith, Kevin Strong
Projection (4): Damon Harrison, Da’Shawn Hand, A’Shawn Robinson, John Atkins
The biggest question here, of course, is whether Damon Harrison will report to training camp or stay home, waiting for a new contract. Assuming he returns at some point, either with a new contract or without, the interior defensive line will be one of the strengths of the team, and one of the best run-stopping forces in the league.
EDGE defender
Locks: Trey Flowers, Romeo Okwara, Devon Kennard, Austin Bryant
In the fight: Malik Carney
Work to do: Eric Lee, Mitchell Loewen, Jonathan Wynn
Projection (5): Trey Flowers, Romeo Okwara, Devon Kennard, Austin Bryant, Malik Carney
Trey Flowers will give the Lions their best pure pass-rusher since Ziggy Ansah was last healthy, and he may free up room for Devon Kennard to improve on last season’s career-high seven sacks. Austin Bryant is still recovering from off-season surgery on his torn pectoral muscle and will start the season on the Non-Football Injury list. Regardless of Bryant’s health, keep an eye on undrafted rookie Malik Carney out of North Carolina. He’s one to watch.
Linebacker
Locks: Jarrad Davis, Jahlani Tavai
Likely safe: Christian Jones
In the fight: Miles Killebrew, Steve Longa, Jalen-Reeves Maybin, Tre Lamar
Work to do: Garret Dooley, Juwon Young
Projection (5): Jarrad Davis, Jahlani Tavai, Christian Jones, Miles Killebrew, Steve Longa
Jarrad Davis, Jahlani Tavai and Christian Jones will eat up most of the snaps at linebacker, so the battle behind them will likely come down to special teams. Miles Killebrew and Steve Longa are the two most experienced in the third phase. Jalen-Reeves Maybin may be on the outs given his limited size profile, but he’s a hard worker who won’t go away without a fight.
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
Projection (6): Darius Slay, Justin Coleman, Rashaan Melvin, Amani Oruwariye, Jamal Agnew, Marcus Cooper
Darius Slay remains a question mark; everyone expects him in camp, but when during camp he returns remains a question. Teez Tabor had an up-and-down off-season, looking like he figured things out one day, then looking lost again the next. The battle for the last spots will be fierce. Don’t sleep on veteran Marcus Cooper, who had a cup of coffee with the Lions last year. Jamal Agnew may have to win the punt return job to keep his job safe. That should be a given, but the Lions have a lot of other options there too, including Amendola and Powell.
Safety
Locks: Quandre Diggs, Tracy Walker, Will Harris
Potential Cap Casualty: Tavon Wilson
In the fight: Andrew Adams, Charles Washington
Changes: Waived David Jones
Projection (5): Quandre Diggs, Tracy Walker, Will Harris, Tavon Wilson, Andrew Adams
Tavon Wilson is the veteran of the group, but despite already having agreed to a pay cut earlier this off-season, he remains firmly on the roster bubble. Andrew Adams and Charles Washington are likely fighting it out for one spot. Washington has proven special teams value, but Adams had four interceptions last year in limited playing time for Tampa Bay.
Special teams
Locks: Don Muhlbach, Matt Prater
Likely safe: Sam Martin
Work to do: Ryan Santoso
Projection (3): Don Muhlbach, Matt Prater and Sam Martin
Nothing to see here. Ryan Santoso could give Sam Martin another battle, but look for the veteran to hold onto the gig for another year.
