ALLEN PARK -- We’re more than two weeks into training camp and the preseason, with joint practices on the horizon, so let’s take a crack at projecting the initial 53-man roster for the Detroit Lions.
The Lions can place only two players on injured reserve with a designation to return after the initial cutdown period. Those two players won’t count against the 53-man roster limit. We’re going with defensive lineman Alim McNeill and linebacker Malcolm Rodriguez in that department.
QUARTERBACKS (3)
In: Jared Goff, Kyle Allen, Hendon Hooker
Out: N/A
Breakdown: At this point, Hendon Hooker has not proven to be ready to handle QB2 come the regular season. His ball security and awareness in the pocket have been lacking. He fumbled twice in Atlanta, once on a scramble with sloppy ball security, and the second on terrible pass protection, but with more than enough time to feel the defender coming. Kyle Allen makes the roster based on the giant question mark that is Hooker, not to mention his strong showing against the Falcons with a perfect passer rating. Hooker’s struggles have taken away a spot, making this process even tougher.
RUNNING BACKS (4)
In: Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki
Out: Jacob Saylors, Jabari Small
Breakdown: Sione Vaki returned to practice early last week, looked good doing it, then said he expected to play in the next preseason game. But he hasn’t been seen since. He’s a roster lock and special teams ace; it would just be nice to see him develop more in the backfield. Craig Reynolds still fits this operation like a glove.
WIDE RECEIVERS (5)
In: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Tim Patrick, Kalif Raymond
Out: Dominic Lovett, Ronnie Bell, Jackson Meeks, Jakobie Keeney-James, Tom Kennedy, Malik Taylor
Breakdown: Dominic Lovett was my toughest cut. I have been on the fence about keeping six receivers through all of camp and the preseason, despite really liking his game as a receiver and special teamer. However, with some of the juggling of injuries and roster gymnastics, it ultimately proved too much. The seventh-round rookie is dealing with an abdominal injury, and he’s behind five roster locks on the depth chart.
Lovett was the 244th pick in the draft, and the Lions might have to hold their breath and hope to get him on the practice squad. It got too tight at other positions, and I had to cut the rookie.
TIGHT ENDS (3)
In: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra
Out: Kenny Yeboah, Zach Horton, Steven Stilianos
Breakdown: Shane Zylstra works with the first- and second-team offense most of the time in camp. Zylstra is willing to handle some of the dirty work and is the best all-around option among the reserves behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright. Zach Horton has had some bright moments, with a lot of work out of the backfield, and would look great on that practice squad.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10)
In: LT Taylor Decker, LG Christian Mahogany, C Graham Glasgow, RG Tate Ratledge, RT Penei Sewell, OT Giovanni Manu, OT Dan Skipper, OL Miles Frazier (Active/PUP), OG Kayode Awosika, OT Jamarco Jones
Out: C Kingsley Eguakun, OG Netane Muti, OL Michael Niese, OL Colby Sorsdal, OT Mason Miller, OT Justin Herron, OL Trystan Colon
Breakdown: One of my final decisions was swapping Lovett off the 53-man roster for veteran offensive tackle Jamarco Jones.
Rookie Miles Frazier is being eased back into action, with the Lions giving him a timeline to return in September/October. He will have to count against the roster to make it. The tackle depth has taken a real hit, with Jones (ankle), Dan Skipper (ankle) and Justin Herron all going down in the last week-plus. Giovanni Manu is the developmental player here, and he’s not going anywhere. But he also doesn’t appear ready for regular-season action, so I’m keeping Jones and Skipper on the roster.
In terms of the backup center position, I am banking on the thinking that if anything happened to Graham Glasgow, Tate Ratledge would slide over to center, and Kayode Awosika would go in at guard.
DEFENSIVE LINE (10)
In: EDGE Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE Marcus Davenport, EDGE Ahmed Hassanein, EDGE Al-Quadin Muhammad, DL DJ Reader, DL Tyleik Williams, DL Roy Lopez, DL Pat O’Connor, DL Mekhi Wingo (Active/PUP), DL Josh Paschal (NFI)
Out: EDGE Mitchell Agude, EDGE Isaac Ukwu, DL Keith Cooper, DL Chris Smith, DL Myles Adams, DL Brodric Martin, EDGE Nate Lynn
Injured: DL Alim McNeill (Active/PUP), DL Levi Onwuzurike (Reserve/PUP, out for season)
Breakdown: I really wanted to put both Keith Cooper and Nate Lynn on the 53-man roster. They have had a great stretch of play in Allen Park and in the preseason. However, the Lions must balance the recovery of defensive linemen Mekhi Wingo and Josh Paschal when making these decisions. Paschal is expected back at practice in September, and he’s going to need those reps, so staying off the NFI list after cutdown day seems likely. Wingo has a similar timeline for return, and if he’s not ready to play in early September, he could open the year on PUP, which would open a spot for one of these bubble players. But I am leaning toward Wingo being close.
LINEBACKERS (6)
In: Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Grant Stuard, Zach Cunningham, Trevor Nowaske
Out: DaRon Gilbert, Anthony Pittman, Ezekiel Turner
Injured: Malcolm Rodriguez (Active/PUP)
Breakdown: I don’t think there is any drama here, despite Anthony Pittman’s proven special teams chops, and DaRon Gilbert and Ezekiel Turner’s experience in Allen Park. Grant Stuard plays with his hair on fire on special teams, and could nicely fill the spot left by Malcolm Rodriguez with Zach Cunningham. Trevor Nowaske adds depth across the board.
SECONDARY (9)
In: CB Terrion Arnold, CB DJ Reed, CB Amik Robertson, CB Rock Ya-Sin, CB Khalil Dorsey (Active/PUP), S Brian Branch, S Kerby Joseph, S Ian Kennelly, DB Avonte Maddox
Out: DB Erick Hallett, CB DiCaprio Bootle, CB Tyson Russell, S Loren Strickland, CB Luq Barcoo, CB D.J. Miller, CB Nick Whiteside
Injured: CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (IR, out for season), S Dan Jackson (IR, out for season), S Morice Norris (TBD on status)
Breakdown: Another one of those situations where I wanted to get Nick Whiteside on this roster. He has been a steady riser, but the roster gymnastics with injuries and the backup quarterback situation made it hard to find room. Khalil Dorsey is the wildcard here as he works his way back from a late-season injury. Dan Campbell said he was closer to returning than Wingo, so it sounds like he’s in to start.
Dan Jackson’s season-ending injury opens the door for Ian Kennelly to take a spot. At the same time, veterans Rock Ya-Sin and Avonte Maddox have boosted the versatility across the defensive backfield. They made this process in the secondary easier than initially expected, and are locks.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
In: K Jake Bates, P Jack Fox, LS Hogan Hatten
Out: N/A
Breakdown: Easy business here. The Lions have so much faith in this trio that they don’t have any competition at kicker, punter or long snapper. It’s one of the best units in the NFL, and they know it.
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