With the preseason complete, the Detroit Lions will need to have their roster reduced to 53-players within the next day and a half — Saturday at 4:00 PM, EST to be exact.
There will be a lot of difficult choices and the roster is never truly settled, but based on the players currently on the roster, this is my final projection on what I believe will be the Lions 53-man roster on Sunday morning.
Quarterbacks (2)
In: Matthew Stafford, Tom Savage
Out: Josh Johnson, Luis Perez
Changes: None
Josh Johnson made his case on Thursday night and outplayed Savage in the final preseason game, but was it enough? I am still leaning towards Savage, as he has been with the team since the beginning of the offseason and appears to be the preferred option, but I wouldn’t be surprised if his injury history caused the team pause.
Perez appears headed to the practice squad.
Running backs (4)
In: Kerryon Johnson, C.J. Anderson, Ty Johnson, Nick Bawden (FB)
Out: Mark Thompson, Justin Stockton, James Williams
Changes: Zach Zenner out (released)
When the Lions moved on from Zenner it was a clear indication to me that the Lions were only planning on keeping four players from the running backs group. Thompson has looked solid on offense this preseason but is still learning on special teams. That’s exactly the type of player who will have a hard time earning a back end roster spot but is good enough to keep around on the practice squad as insurance.
The Lions will also likely try hard to find a spot on the practice squad for Williams, who they just added this week.
Wide receiver (6)
In: Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola, Chris Lacy, Travis Fulgham, Brandon Powell
Out: Andy Jones, Tommylee Lewis, Tom Kennedy, John Duhart, Jordan Lasley
Changes: Powell in
Another fallout of the Zenner release was an increased opportunity for Powell, who is the Lions preferred gadget player on offense. Powell has lined up on the outside, in the slot, in the backfield and at both returner spots. He may not be active on a weekly basis, but he can be a matchup problem in the right positions.
Lacy and Fulgham have been in my 53-man projections for a few weeks now based on their upside on offense and special teams contributions — Fulgham was PFF’s 3rd highest graded Lions’ special teamer and Lacy was 7th heading into last nights game.
Tight end (3)
In: T.J. Hockenson, Jesse James, Logan Thomas
Out: Isaac Nauta, Jerome Cunningham, Austin Traylor
Changes: Nauta out
With Powell being added, another offensive skill player was going to lose their spot and unfortunately, it’s Nauta. If he isn’t claimed, he would be a lock for the Lions practice squad and could even be promoted to the active roster at some point during the season, which the Lions often do.
Offensive line (9)
In: Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow, Rick Wagner, Joe Dahl, Kenny Wiggins, Oday Aboushi, Tyrell Crosby, Andrew Donnal
Out: Beau Benzschawel, Luke Bowanko, Leo Kolomatangi, Matt Nelson, Micah St. Andrew, Ryan Pope
Changes: None
The Lions top-6 offensive linemen are locked in, but with Ragnow injured, the Lions will likely want to keep a veteran interior lineman on the roster for insurance, thus Aboushi’s inclusion. This is also likely why the Lions didn’t play Aboushi in preseason Week 4, as they wanted to keep him healthy while Ragnow heals.
Crosby and Donnal played in last nights game and both struggled, as they have for most of the season. I still believe Crosby has the upside and positional flexibility to warrant a roster spot but if the team adds an offensive lineman after roster cuts — like they did last year — Donnal could be looking over his shoulder.
I wanted to find a spot for Benzschawel, as I like his potential, but he’s just not ready. He should clear waivers and land on the Lions practice squad.
Interior defensive line (5)
In: Damon Harrison, Mike Daniels, Da’Shawn Hand, A’Shawn Robinson, Kevin Strong
Out: John Atkins, Fred Jones, PJ Johnson, Ray Smith
Changes: None
Hand’s injury creates a need for an interior pass rusher and Strong fits the bill. He got the start last night and record a sack (officially splitting it with Eric Lee in the box score) but his inclusion here is based on his positional versatility and consistent improvement throughout the offseason.
Expect the Lions to keep one of their three reserve nose tackles on the practice squad with Jones having had the most consistent offseason and Johnson having potentially the highest ceiling.
EDGE rushers (5)
In: Trey Flowers, Devon Kennard, Romeo Okwara, Eric Lee, Austin Bryant
Out: Mitchell Loewen, Malik Carney, Jonathan Wynn
Changes: Lee in
Lee was in my first two roster stacks but I bumped him out last week due to his injury. He returned to full health this week and made a statement in last nights game, helping me realize I made a mistake last edition.
Loewen’s positional versatility to lineup both on the EDGE and inside will make him very tempting to keep, but with Strong and Lee in the fold, he ended up being one of the last players who fell short for me.
Bryant, who has been injured for over a month now, makes the team for me, but his situation is complicated. Here are some options:
- If the Lions believe he won’t return this season, they could place him on injured reserve ahead of roster cuts, freeing up a spot for another player.
- If they believe he will return this season, but not for at least two more months, he could make the 53-man roster, then be placed on injured reserve and be eligible to return halfway through the season. This would also free up a roster spot post-cuts.
- He makes the roster and avoids injured reserve altogether.
- He is released outright and frees up a spot.
For me, Bryant makes the 53-man roster due to his upside and we will see what happens after that, but an injured reserve placement wouldn’t surprise me.
Linebackers (5)
In: Jarrad Davis, Jahlani Tavai, Christian Jones, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Miles Killebrew
Out: Steve Longa, Garret Dooley, Anthony Pittman
Changes: None
Longa was activated from PUP earlier this week and it’s a bit of a mystery what the Lions plans for him are. He was held out of last nights game due to his injury rehabilitation, but they likely wouldn’t have activated him without a plan in place. If Bryant lands on injured reserve, Longa could be the roster beneficiary.
Pittman and Dooley will make for tough practice squad decisions.
Cornerbacks (6)
In: Darius Slay, Justin Coleman, Rashaan Melvin, Jamal Agnew, Amani Oruwariye, Teez Tabor
Out: Mike Ford, Dee Virgin, Andre Chachere, Jonathan Alston, Jamar Summers
Changes: None
The elephant in the room here is, is Tabor. Is he healthy enough to see the field in Arizona after not being able to see the field last night? And are the Lions willing to gamble on a third-year player who has an ugly track record but showed signs of turning the corner this offseason and was at one point starting?
I don’t know the answer to the first question — and that’s just the way the Lions like it — but based on what I saw from Tabor this offseason, I don’t think this team is ready to part ways just yet.
If the team does go in another direction from Tabor, the name to keep an eye on is Virgin, who didn’t see the field last night despite being on the roster bubble. He is a lights out special teamer and could be the next man up.
Ford did his best to prove he belongs last night, making plays at corner, free safety and on special teams, and should be a practice squad candidate who could be promoted at any time — similar to what happened with him last season.
Safeties (5)
In: Quandre Diggs, Tracy Walker, Will Harris, Tavon Wilson, Charles Washington
Out: Andrew Adams, C.J. Moore
Changes: None
Sometimes Game 4 of the preseason can be a real eye-opener. All offseason there has been a healthy debate between Wilson and Adams, with most wondering who should stay, the veteran or the playmaker? Last night Wilson didn’t see the field — presumedly to guard against injury — and Wilson played 89-percent of snaps.
Moore had a strong offseason for an undrafted free agent but only saw the field last night for a few snaps, causing me to wonder if they are trying to sneak him onto the practice squad. If I had to pick a sleeper for this roster, it would be him.
Special teams (3)
In: Matt Prater, Sam Martin, Don Muhlbach
Out: Ryan Santoso
Changes: None
This is locked in.
