Detroit Lions training camp is done, and the preseason is over. Final cuts will be made on Tuesday, and we will see what this initial 53-man roster looks like. Until then, here’s our final projection:

Quarterback (2)

IN: Jared Goff, Kyle Allen
OUT: Hendon Hooker

Kyle Allen has just been good from start to finish this summer. He won the backup job against the Falcons and then cemented it against the Dolphins. As for Hooker, it’s sad that the Lions couldn’t get what they needed out of the former third-round. You’d love to find a way to keep him, but the Lions need the spot elsewhere, so the Hooker experiment ends in Detroit.

Running back (4)

IN: Jahymr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Sione Vaki, Craig Reynolds
OUT: Jacob Saylors, Deon Jackson

There was never any doubt that this would be the group in the backfield. I may have overthought the idea that Reynolds could be the odd man out before camp, but then he put forth another good one. Still, that doesn’t change the fact that I think the Lions see Vaki moving ahead of him pretty soon.

Wide Receiver (6)

IN: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Tim Patrick, Kalif Raymond, Jackson Meeks
OUT: Dominic Lovett, Ronnie Bell, Tom Kennedy, Jakobie Keeny-James, Malik Taylor

I had Meeks in that sixth spot after the draft and before camp started. Then, Lovett had a good first week, so I moved him in there. Additionally, Ronnie Bell just kept popping up, so I moved him in there. But it was Meeks all along. It always had to be. He’s been phenomenal every time he’s on the field. You just can’t say no to him.

Tight End (3)

IN: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra
Out: Zach Horton, Steven Stilianos, Gunnar Oakes

I thought Horton could win this gig, but I have to go with Zylstra this time. I’d also like to say that there’s a chance the guy who plays tight end three might not be on the Lions right now. I wouldn’t be shocked if they go tight end shopping after final cutdowns.

Offensive Line (9)

IN: Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, Christian Mahogany, Tate Ratledge, Penei Sewell, Giovanni Manu, Dan Skipper, Kayode Awosika, Kinsley Eguakun
OUT: Jamarco Jones, Netane Muti, Michael Niese, Mason Miller, Tyrstan Colon, Gunner Britton, Zach Johsnon

PUP list: Miles Fraizer, Colby Sorsdal

I’m not sure if the Lions will go with eight or nine offensive linemen. This time, I’m going with nine because I just couldn’t leave Kingsley Eguakun off this team. It just feels safe to have that backup center on a team that just lost one of the best centers of the last decade. Colon had a shot before the injury; it sucks to see that for him.

Defensive Line (11)

IN: Aidan Hutchinson, DJ Reader, Za’Darius Smith, Mekhi Wingo, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Roy Lopez, Tyleik Williams, Myles Adams, Marcus Davenport, Nate Lynn, Pat O’Connor
OUT:  Brodric Martin, Keith Cooper Jr., Chris Smith, Isaac Ukwu, Mitchell Agude,

PUP list: Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike
NFI list: Joash Paschal
TBD: Ahmed Hassanein

This is the hardest one to figure out by far. Nate Lynn has just been so impressive that it was hard to count him out. Then there’s Josh Paschal. Are the Lions going to include him on their initial 53-man roster, or are they going to IR him for the first few games of the year? Ukwu is good and should get a practice squad spot, but O’Connor is a great special teams player, and you just can’t see past that. Cooper was a hard cut, too; It just feels like Adams is the better way to go right now.

We’re putting Smith in there because why not? Maybe it won’t happen, but at this point, I would personally be shocked if he’s not at practice with the Lions ahead of their game with the Packers. We’ll see.

Linebacker (6)

IN: Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Jack Campbell, Grant Stuard, Trevor Nowaske, Zach Cunningham,
OUT: Anthony Pittman,  DaRon Gilbert, Ezekiel Turner

PUP list: Malcolm Rodriguez

For a minute there, I thought Nowaske could be the odd man out because I was impressed by the special teams work Anthony Pittman was doing, but Nowaske is safe. He’s a good player. That was just me overthinking. Cunningham might be the steal of the summer for this team. A tremendous tackler.

Cornerback (5)

IN: D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Rock Ya-Sin, Khalil Dorsey
OUT: Nick Whiteside, Allen George, Tyson Russell, D.J. Miller, Luq Barcoo

Injured Reserve: Ennis Rakestraw

I would have loved to have found a spot for Whiteside or Barcoo, but with Dorsey coming back, that pretty much wraps things up here for those guys. They should be on the practice squad, though. Like tight end, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Lions went shopping here soon.

Safety (4)

IN: Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, Avonte Maddox, Ian Kennelly
OUT: Erik Hallet, Loren Strickland, Morice Norris

Injured reserve: Dan Jackson

Dan Jackson’s season-ending injury changed everything, and it opened the door for Kennelly to walk through. He’s been better and better every week, and getting reps with the first team in Kerby Joseph’s absence is a pretty good sign for him to get the Safety4 spot.

Special Teams (3)

IN: Jake Bates, Jack Fox, Hogan Hatten
Out:

Nothing is changing here at all. 

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