Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection before training camp: A bold prediction at receiver makes things interesting
Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection is here before training camp, and one bold decision at wide receiver changes the entire makeup of the roster, and It creates ripple effects at multiple positions.
Quarterback (3)
In: Jared Goff, Teddy Bridgewater, Luke Altmeyer
Out: N/A
Skinny: Jared Goff and Teddy Bridgewater are locks. The big question is Luke Altmyer. I think his ceiling this summer is making the Lions decide they want to carry three quarterbacks instead of two. If you’re thinking of Altmyer as some sort of Brock Purdy type, you are out of your mind. But he absolutely can do enough to make Detroit consider keeping him around, especially if they start worrying about losing him on the waiver wire.
Running Back (3)
In: Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki
Out: Jacob Saylors, Kye Robichaux, Jabari Small
Skinny: I’ve got just three running backs: Jahmyr Gibbs, Isaiah Pacheco, and Sione Vaki. Jacob Sailors is one to watch because so much of this comes down to special teams and the return game. He did a solid job there last year. As for Vaki, there’s a real question about whether he’s going to play running back or wind up being mostly a special-teams contributor. This feels like the last chance for Vaki to prove he can be a factor at the position.
Wide Receiver (4)
In: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch
Out: Tom Kennedy, Malik Cunningham, Dominic Lovett, Cedrick Wilson, Tarik Black, Lucky Jackson, Tay Martin, Lawrence Keys
PUP: Kendrick Law
Skinny: This is where things get interesting. I’ve got the Lions carrying just four receivers: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, and Greg Dortch. I know that sounds crazy, but I just can’t find a spot for a fifth guy. Tom Kennedy is probably a practice squad player. Malik Cunningham has some appeal with the trick-play potential given his quarterback background, but I don’t see it. Dominic Lovett is a good gunner, but when Detroit drafted Kendrick Law, it felt like Lovett was out. Cedric Wilson got some good reps during OTAs and minicamp. He could sneak on. None of the new UFL guys are making it in my projection.
Tight End (4)
In: Sam LaPorta, Tyler Conklin, Brock Wright, Jackson Meeks
Out: Zach Horton, Thomas Gordon, Miles Kitselman
Skinny: The reason four receivers works is tight end Jackson Meeks. The Lions haven’t officially announced it, but Meeks was lining up at tight end during OTAs and minicamp. He’s put on weight and looks like he’s going the Devin Funchess route. That means the Lions can use him as a receiver in certain packages, then slide him back to tight end on the next play. When you have a player who can do more than one thing, that fits exactly what this coaching staff loves. I’ve got four tight ends total: Sam LaPorta, Tyler Conklin, Brock Wright, and Meeks.
Offensive Line (9)
In: Penei Sewell, Christian Mahogany, Cade Mays, Tate Ratledge, Blake Miller, Larry Borom, Miles Frazier, Juice Scruggs, Ben Bartch
Out: Giovanni Manu, Melvin Priestly, Colby Sorsdal, Michael Niese, Devin Cochran, Seth McLaughlin,
Skinny: Giovanni Manu and Colby Sorsdahl are both off the roster. Those were projects that unfortunately did not work out. The player I’d keep an eye on is Miles Frazier. If Christian Mahogany wins the left guard job, Frazier could slide into the third tackle role behind Blake Miller and Larry Borum. If Mahogany can’t win it, Frazier is a potential starter at left guard. Ben Bartch is another real challenger to Mahogany at that spot. Training camp and the preseason will sort this out.
Defensive Line (9)
In: Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNiell, Tyliek Williams, Derrick Moore, D.J. Wonnum, Ahmed Hassanien, Skyler Gill-Howard, Anthony Lucas, Tyler Lacy
Out: Myles Adams, Levi Onwuzurike, Payton Turner, Chris Smith, Mekhi Wingo, Tyre West Aidan Keanaaina
Skinny: Levi Onwuzurike’s time with the Lions is probably coming to a close. I’ve got Tyler Lacy taking over that role, with Ahmed Hassanein and D.J. Wonnum capable of handling some of the big end responsibilities. Undrafted rookie Anthony Lucas makes the roster in my projection. One of the things you kept hearing during minicamp and OTAs was, “How is this guy not drafted?” I had him on my horizontal big board going in the sixth or seventh round. If Lucas puts it all together, he’s going to make everybody forget about the bad stuff.
Payton Turner is the one I’m really on the fence about. If he turns into the player he was expected to be when he was drafted in the first round, the Lions scored big by kicking some tires. But I’ve got nine defensive linemen right now, and I just don’t know if there’s a spot for a 10th.
Linebackers (6)
In: Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Jimmy Rolder, Malcolm Rodriguez, Damone Clark, Trevor Nowaske,
Out: Erick Hunter, Joe Bachie
Skinny: Linebackers are straightforward. The guys you’d expect are making it. Eric Hunter could push for a spot, but he might be better served on the practice squad as a 2027 project.
Cornerbacks (6)
In: D.J. Reed, Keith Abney, Roger McCreary, Ennis Rakestraw, Rock Ya-Sin, Khalil Dorsey
Out: Nick Whiteside, De’Shawn Rucker, Aamaris Brown
Skinny: Cornerback is the position that concerns me most. With Terrion Arnold no longer on this team, Khalil Dorsey picks up a roster spot, and I’ve got the Lions carrying six corners. But if this is the group Detroit plans to bring into the season, they need one more guy. They cannot rely on Rock Ya-Sin as the other starter without a legitimate fallback option. I’d expect the Lions to add somebody before the season.
Safety (6)
In: Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Christian Izien, Chuck Clark, Avonte Maddox, Thomas Harper
Out: Loren Strickland, Dan Jackson
Skinny:
Special Teams (3)
In: Jake Bates, Jack Fox, Hogan Hatten
Out:
Skinny: Nothing changing here. Don’t see any change in this department for a long time.
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