These Lions could lose their roster spots to players who aren’t on the team yet
Quarterback, offensive line and defensive tackle are three places where Detroit could quickly turn to players cut elsewhere around the NFL.
The Detroit Lions are wrapping up training camp, and Sunday’s cut day is approaching fast. But don’t expect to see the final 53-man roster right away. The Lions will almost certainly wait until the waiver wire shakes out before locking things in, which means fans probably won’t get a clear picture until Monday night or Tuesday morning.
That’s how it usually works. Teams across the league cut players, the waiver wire fills up, and then front offices start putting in claims. The Lions have historically been active in that process, and there’s no reason to think this year will be any different. What that also means is that some guys currently on Detroit’s roster are going to lose their spots to players who aren’t even on the team yet.
Josh Dobbs may be replaced
First up is quarterback Josh Dobbs. Call me crazy, but I just don’t think the Lions see Luke Altmyer as the QB2 just yet. Has Altmyer been impressive? Absolutely, no doubt about it. But has he been impressive enough to hand him the keys to the entire team if something goes wrong and Jared Goff goes down? I just don’t see that. I also don’t see Dobbs in that spot either.
It’s so early to rely on an undrafted rookie in that spot. That’s why I think the Lions are going to go looking for quarterbacks who get cut around the league. Maybe they make a trade for somebody. Either way, I think Detroit wants to go into the season with a veteran quarterback, or at least somebody they feel they could grow with who can come in and actually start games if they need someone to start games.
Offensive line is getting reinforcements
This next one involves a bunch of guys at the same time: Giovanni Manu, Melvin Priestly, Colby Sorsdal, Michael Niese, Mason Miller, Ben Bartch, Seth McLaughlin, and Devin Cochran. I’ve got the Lions projected to carry nine offensive linemen, but I’ve only got seven guys I truly believe are going to make this roster. The rest of them, I just don’t see it.
I think the Lions are going to go out and sign or claim two free-agent offensive linemen. Veterans with starting experience who can give you some relief if somebody gets hurt. I think they might even bring in somebody who can continue to push Christian Mahogany for that starting left guard job, because he hasn’t really battled anyone this offseason. Guys have been hurt; guys didn’t show up. Things happen. So I’m definitely looking at the offensive line, thinking there are going to be some additions there.
Levi Onwuzurike’s spot is fragile
Here’s the thing. At this point, I have Levi Onwuzurike on my 53-man roster. I do. I think he can make it. But I think if the right interior defensive lineman fell into the Lions’ lap, they would go for him over Onwuzurike.
I’m peeling back the curtain a little bit on what my final 53-man roster looks like. I’ve got nine defensive linemen: Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Mekhi Wingo, Derrick Moore, D.J. Wonnum, Ahmed Hassanein, Skyler Gill-Howard, Tyler Lacy, and Onwuzurike. I’ve got eight of those guys in front of him. I just don’t see those players giving up a ton of snaps to Levi. But if a nose tackle hit the market, some veteran guy they felt good about, I think Detroit would go after him.
That’s why Onwuzurike is on this list right now. I could be wrong, and I’m open to being wrong. Certainly wouldn’t be the first time.
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