The Lions have some hard decisions ahead of them in the secondary
The preseason is over for the Detroit Lions and the regular season is less than two weeks away. But one of the Lions biggest tests of the year is just a couple days away when they have to figure out how to cut this team down from 89 players to 53. The reason it's such […]
The preseason is over for the Detroit Lions and the regular season is less than two weeks away. But one of the Lions biggest tests of the year is just a couple days away when they have to figure out how to cut this team down from 89 players to 53.
The reason it's such a big test for the Lions is that they have so many players that showed out during camp and the preseason. More than usual if we're being honest. Normally that wouldn't be a problem. Just put the good players on the team right? Well, the Lions happen to already have a lot of good players ahead of those guys already so it's not so simple.
The secondary is where the real issue is for Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes. Last year they brought 11 defensive backs into the season. Let's have some fun real quick. Let's figure out the part of that 11 players that will be locks for the secondary.
- C.J. Gardner-Johnson
- Cameron Sutton
- Jerry Jacobs
- Tracy Walker
- Kerby Joseph
- Brian Branch
- Will Harris
- Ifeatu Melifonwu
Ok. These eight guys are locks to be on the Lions roster. I know you don't like Will Harris, but the Lions love him. Anyways, if the Lions are going to carry 11 defensive backs into the season again. They have three spots left. Now you have to decide between Steven Gilmore, Khalil Dorsey, Chase Lucas, Starling Thomas and Brady Breeze. All of these guys have showed that they can really play. Two of them have to be the odd men out. Who's it going to be?
Steven Gilmore had a very good preseason that saw him grab two interceptions, have a beautiful pass break up and then lay the wood with a big hit. It would be really hard to count him out.
Khalil Dorsey has gotten better as the weeks have gone by. He forced a fumble on Friday night, had some good looking pass breakups all preseason and even showed that he can be a weapon in the kick return game. It would be really hard to count him out.
Chase Lucas has come alive during the preseason. On Friday night he had one of the prettiest picks you've ever seen. He also showed that he can be a good run stopper as well throughout the preseason. Dan Campbell also raved about him last week. It would be really hard to count him out.
Starling Thomas has been one of the good underdog stories all summer long. The undrafted rookie has been on everyone's radar during camp and has shown why during the preseason. Good coverage and solid special teams work. It would be really hard to count him out.
Brady Breeze has been quieter than these other guys, but he's been a steady force out there. He's looked great in coverage and I don't know if he's come close to missing a tackle all preseason. The Lions need some depth at safety too. It would be really hard to count him out.
You see the pattern there? It would be really hard to count any of these guys out. I'm glad that I don't have to do it. I mean I will do it for out final 53 man roster prediction that's dropping Monday morning, but I don't have to do it for real. It's going to be very interesting to see how this all shakes out. Be sure to bookmark our cut tracker below. We'll be constantly updating it as cuts come in.
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