The preseason is finally over for the Detroit Lions. The next stop is the regular season. After watching camp and preseason games, I think I have  a good handle on the Lions 53 man roster. Let's go ahead a jump right into it. Here's our final 53 man roster prediction for the Lions. 

Quarterback (2)

In: Jared Goff and Teddy Bridgewater

Out: Nate Sudfeld and Adrian Martiniez

No shocker here. Bridgewater was always meant to come in and take the Lions backup job. It was thought for a short period of time that maybe the Lions would decide to keep three quarterbacks, but the depth on this team is too great to do that. 

Running Back (3)

In: David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs and Craig Reynolds.

Out: Jason Cabinda, Jermar Jefferson, Devine Ozigbo and Benny Snell

It was pretty clear in the second preseason game that the Lions really like Craig Reynolds in that third spot. It was even more clear on Friday night when Reynolds played the entire first half and looked the best he had looked all preseason.

Wide Receiver (6)

In: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Kalif Raymond, Marvin Jones, Josh Reynolds, Dylan Drummond and Antione Green.

Out: Chase Cota, Maurice Alexander, Trinity Benson, Avery Davis and Jason Moore.

I had Drummond and Cota going back and forth for the last few weeks. Drummond really edged him out on Friday when he caught five of the six passes thrown in his direction. Antione Green edged him out as well with a big game. He showed he can be the Lions X receiver. 

Tight End (3)

In: Sam LaPorta, James Mitchell and Brock Wright

Out: Darrell Daniels and Daniel Helm

There was never really any doubt here. I did think for a week there that Darrell Daniels could have a real shot to make the Lions roster over Brock Wright, but Wright showed me that was foolish. The Lions have a pretty nice group here. 

Offensive Line (9)

In: Taylor Decker, Jonah Jackson, Frank Ragnow, Graham Gasgow, Penei Sewell, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Colby Sorsdal, Germain Ifedi and Matt Nelson

Out: Conor Galvin, Kayode Awosika, Bobby Hart, Ryan Swoboda, Alex Mollette, Obina Eze, Darin Paulo, Brad Cecil and Max Pircher. 

I'm going with nine offensive linemen this year because I couldn't pick between Matt Nelson and Germain Ifedi. If the Lions aren't going to carry a fullback, an extra lineman should work. 

Interior Defensive Line (5)

In: Alim McNeil, Isaiah Buggs, Brodric Martin, Levi Onwuzurike and Benito Jones

Out: Cory Durden, Christian Covington and Chris Smith

There's really no surprises here either. I did think for a while that Benito Jones could be the odd man out, but he had some nice looks in preseason and could be a good depth piece. 

Edge (5)

In: Aidan Hutchinson, Charles Harris, James Houston, John Cominsky and Josh Paschal

Out: Julian Okwara and Romeo Okwara

I'm just not totally sold on the idea that Romeo Okwara makes the Lions final 53 man roster. He's got a couple sack here and there, but he's just buried below five guys that are better than him. As for his little brother, he was probably on the trade block before going down with an injury against the Panthers. We don't know the severity of that at this time. It could be nothing and he could still be moved. 

Linebacker (6)

In: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Trevor Nowaske

Out: Anthony Pittman 

I might be reaching here with Nowaske, but I think he really showed that he can not only be a presence on special teams, but can be a decent guy in coverage in a pinch. There's a chance the Lions just go with five here, but I think six is the way to go. 

Cornerback (7)

In: Cameron Sutton, Jerry Jacobs, Will Harris, Brian Branch, Chase Lucas, Steven Gilmore and Starling Thomas

Out: Khalil Dorsey and Colby Richardson

This was hard because I like Khalil Dorsey and thought he did enough to make it any other year. It's just that Lucas, Gilmore and Thomas did more. Dorsey is definitely a guy that's going to be on the Lions practice squad. He could even see main roster play if someone goes down. I really look forward to seeing what everyone here does during the regular season. 

Safety (4)

In: C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Kerby Joseph, Tracy Walker and Ifeatu Melifonwu

Out: Brady Breeze, Brandon Joseph and Scott Nelson

Ifeatu Melifonwu has been a pleasant surprise. He's a guy that I thought was a prime cut candidate at the start of camp. I was wrong. He's really shown up. Brady Breeze should join his cousin Chase Cota on the practice squad.  

Special Teams (3)

In: Riley Patterson, Jack Fox and Scott Daly

Out: Parker Romo

Patterson had a rough Friday night, but at least he played. Romo never took the field. That's your sign that the Lions have made their decision. Jack Fox and Scott Daly were never really in any trouble at all. 

PUP, NFI, IR and Suspended

PUP: Emmanuel Mosely

NFI: Hendon Hooker

IR: Shane Zylstra and Mohamed Ibrahim

Suspended: Jameson Williams 

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