Detroit Lions 53-Man Roster Prediction After Preseason Opener: A few shocking cuts we didn’t think would happen are becoming hard to ignore
The Detroit Lions’ 53-man roster is starting to take shape — and some cuts that would’ve sounded CRAZY a month ago are suddenly becoming hard to ignore. Thursday night’s preseason opener changed several battles.My new Lions 53-man roster prediction has some shockers:
The Detroit Lions dropped their preseason opener to the Cincinnati Bengals 16-14, but the result matters far less than what it revealed about the 53-man roster picture. With training camp rolling and two preseason games still to play, it’s time for the first roster projection of the summer. Let’s break it down position by position.
Quarterback (2)
In: Jared Goff, Joshua Dobbs
Out: Luke Altmyer
Skinny: At this point, I just can’t see a world where the Lions carry three quarterbacks. Jared Goff is locked in as the starter, and Joshua Dobbs looked pretty good on Thursday night. Luke Altmyer would have to be perfect over the next two preseason games and spectacularly better throughout the rest of the summer to change Detroit’s mind. The Lions will likely try to get Altmyer back on the practice squad once he clears waivers, but carrying three quarterbacks on the active roster just doesn’t make sense for this team.
Running Back (3)
In: Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, Jacob Saylors
Out: Sione Vaki, Kye Robichaux, Jabari Small, Raheem Blackshear
Skinny: Jacob Saylors absolutely won the RB3 job, and it wasn’t just the preseason game. He has been winning it all summer long. Every time he gets reps, he does something with them. Sione Vaki’s injury opened up even more of a spot, and then Isaiah Pacheco’s injury created even more opportunities because Pacheco probably would have played Thursday night if healthy. Saylors got a ton of reps and delivered. There’s always a possibility Detroit considers carrying four backs because of the special teams value a player like Vaki brings, but right now it’s just three guys. Vaki’s not making it.
Wide Receiver (5)
In: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch, Tay Martin
Out: Malik Cunningham, Tom Kennedy, Cedrick Wilson, Lucky Jackson, Dominic Lovett, Tarik Black
IR: Lawrence Keys
PUP: Kendrick Law
Skinny: The top four are easy: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, and Greg Dortch. That fifth spot was the tough one. Dominic Lovett had a chance, but the drop issues showed up again. He dropped a punt return, picked it right back up, but you just can’t do that. Tay Martin is a better special teams player and adds more to the table. Lovett falls short, and the Lions aren’t carrying more than five receivers in my prediction. It opens up spots elsewhere.
Tight End (4)
In: Sam LaPorta, Tyler Conklin, Brock Wright, Jackson Meeks
Out: Thomas Gordon, Zach Horton,
IR: Miles Kitselman, Anthony Firkser
Skinny:Jackson Meeks has done enough. He’s proven he deserves this job. The usage might not be heavy, but what he does get will help Detroit add versatility in 12 and 13 personnel looks. He played well Thursday night with a couple of grabs and a nice play. You can just tell he’s so much bigger than he was before.
Offensive Line (9)
In: Penei Sewell, Christian Mahogany, Tate Ratledge, Blake Miller, Larry Borom, Miles Frazier, Juice Scruggs, Ben Bartch, Seth McLaughlin
Out: Giovanni Manu, Melvin Priestly, Colby Sorsdal, Michael Niese, Devin Cochran,
PUP: Cade Mays
Skinny: Seth McLaughlin earned a roster spot Thursday. He did give up a sack, but for a guy getting the most snaps he’s ever had in an NFL game, it was an impressive showing. Once Cade Mays returns, McLaughlin could slide to the practice squad. Ben Bartch makes the team as well. He’s been hurt this whole camp, but there’s no reason to knock him off the roster. Juice Scruggs is clearly going to be the starting center once the season starts, and the Lions need to get him back soon.
Defensive Line (9)
In: Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Tyliek Williams, Derrick Moore, D.J. Wonnum, Ahmed Hassanien, Skyler Gill-Howard, Tyler Lacy, Levi Onwuzurkie
Out: Myles Adams, Anthony Lucas, Payton Turner, Chris Smith, Mekhi Wingo, Tyre West, Ben Stille, Eric O’Neil
Skinny: This group looks a lot better than it did when summer started. Ahmed Hassanein had a baller game Thursday, and that’s what he’s been doing all camp. Skyler Gill-Howard flashed the pass-rush ability from his Northern Illinois film, getting pressure over and over again. His closing speed on that play against Josh Johnson was the moment that confirmed it. Levi Onwuzurike rounds out the group because the other options just aren’t there yet. Eric O’Neill had some good plays but not enough to earn a 53-man roster spot.
Linebackers (6)
In: Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Damone Clark, Devin White, Joe Bachie
Out: Erick Hunter, Trevor Nowaske, Troy Reeder, Amen Ogbongbemiga,
PUP: Jimmy Rolder
Skinny: Devin White is the starter over Malcolm Rodriguez. He’s looked really good in just the two weeks since arriving in Detroit. Damone Clark makes it with his versatility, and Joe Bachie is a surprise addition. When you get to that sixth linebacker spot, those guys are going to be used for special teams far more than defense. Bachie fits that mold.
Cornerbacks (6)
In: D.J. Reed, Keith Abney, Roger McCreary, Rock Ya-Sin, Khalil Dorsey, Nick Whiteside
Out: Aamaris Brown, Ryan Cooper, Ennis Rakestraw
Skinny: Ennis Rakestraw is on the outside looking in, and it wasn’t just the arm contusion. Camp has been up and down for him. As Campbell said last Monday, he needs to start stringing good days together, and he hasn’t done that. Khalil Dorsey and Roger McCreary are ahead of him right now. There’s a good chance someone claims Rakestraw off waivers if it comes to that.
Safety (6)
In: Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Christian Izien, Chuck Clark, Avonte Maddox, Thomas Harper
Out: Loren Strickland, Dan Jackson
Skinny: This is probably the deepest room on the defense. All six expected safeties make it. Loren Strickland and Dan Jackson had nice camps, but Jackson is likely a practice squad candidate. Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph should be coming back soon, and it wouldn’t make sense for them to start the season on PUP. They could be back by Week 2 or Week 3. Chuck Clark and Avonte Maddox can absolutely hold things down for the first game or two.
There’s still a lot of camp left and two more preseason games to play. Things will shift. But this is where the Lions stand right now, and some of these battles are already starting to sort themselves out.
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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