The Detroit Lions have played three preseason games, having previously faced the Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, and, most recently, the Miami Dolphins. This implies that it is time for another installment of our 53-man roster projection.
In an effort to provide you with a fair assessment of the roster’s position following the summer vacation, Jeremy Reisman and I have collaborated on this projection, as has become our custom. We convene to discuss the roster, advocate for our preferred players, and, whenever feasible, reach a compromise. Collaboration iterations of the 53-man projection will be updated throughout training camp. We will then each publicize our own projections at cutdowns.
Now, let us commence.
Note: The athlete is a rookie, indicated by an asterisk (*).
(2) Quarterbacks
Jared Goff
Kyle Allen Hendon Hooker
Jeremy:
Dan Campbell has resolved any uncertainty regarding the current reserve position leader. However, the Lions are currently uncertain as to whether they will retain Hooker as a third option. The most compelling argument I can present is that he is still under a rookie contract that is cost-controlled, and I am not ruling out the possibility of further development. Nevertheless, this is a championship-level baseball team at present, and roster positions are exceedingly valuable. As Hooker is unlikely to clear waivers, it is probable that one will be added after cutdowns if only two quarterbacks are retained. It is not optimal to have a new practice squad quarterback, but it is the situation Detroit has been dealt.
Jahmyr Gibbs
David Montgomery
Craig Reynolds
Sione Vaki
Jacob Saylors
Deon Jackson
Erik:
Vaki’s impressive performance in the preseason game against the Dolphins and his subsequent recovery from a hamstring injury likely put to bed any residual concerns regarding the Lions’ need to make adjustments to this group. The final preseason game against the Falcons is expected to be centered on the competition between Saylors and Jackson for a position on the practice squad, as the top four backs appear to be established.
Wide receiver (7)
Amon-Ra St. Brown
Jameson Williams
I am Tim. Patrick Kalif Raymond
Isaac TeSlaa* Jackson Meeks* Dominic Lovett* Tom Kennedy
Ronnie Bell
Jakobie Keeney-James* Malik Taylor
Jeremy:
Jackson Meeks has executed each requirement accurately in order to secure a position. He has been fruitful, plays special teams, and blocks his ass off. According to Dan Campbell, he has “improved every day, every week.”
Erik and I engaged in a lengthy discussion regarding whether Meeks had become WR6 or if he had been sufficient to justify the retention of a seventh receiver. Although I was initially opposed to the concept, Lovett is the most viable alternative for Detroit in terms of providing backup to Kalif Raymond for the current year and the future. I believe the Lions will desire to retain Lovett in order to oversee his progression, given the injury-shortened offseason. In the interim, he may continue to participate in special teams.
Meeks could also argue in favor of Patrick’s position; however, we believe that Brad Holmes will prioritize Patrick’s trustworthiness and experience.
Tight end (3)
Brock Wright Sam LaPorta
Shane Zylstra
Zach Horton*
Steven Stilianos
Gunnar Oakes
Erik:
Tight end was one of the positions that we contemplated reducing in order to accommodate Meeks. Zylstra continues to hold a lead over Horton in the competition for the TE3 position; however, there is a case to be made that neither individual has demonstrated sufficient performance to merit an elevation beyond the practice squad. Ultimately, the Lions would likely favor the convenience of having a third option on the roster for special teams and offense, and it is logical to retain the experienced veteran.
Four offensive tackles were executed.
Penei Sewell
Taylor Decker
Dan Skipper
Giovanni Manu
Jamarco Jones
Mason Miller* Gunner Britton
Jeremy:
It is intriguing to observe that Jamarco Jones has eclipsed Giovanni Manu in terms of playing time; however, I am of the opinion that the second-year offensive tackle is not in any danger of losing his roster spot. Dan Skipper’s performance against the Dolphins was comparatively uneventful, which is consistently advantageous for tacklers. Skipper’s roster position is now more secure than ever, as he is now playing on both the left and right sides.
Interior offensive line (5 + 1 PUP)
Graham Glasgow
Christian Mahogany Tate Ratledge* Kayode Awosika
Kingsley Eguakun
Trystan Colon Netane Muti
Zack Johnson Michael Niese
Active/PUP: Miles Frazier
Erik:
Eguakun appears to have capitalized on the opportunity to assume the reserve center position that arose when Colon sustained an injury. He has made consistent progress in the past few weeks and has established a clear lead over Niese in their competition. Muti’s most recent performance was commendable, serving as a reminder that we should not dismiss him entirely at this time. However, Awosika has demonstrated the ability to function as a guard-flexible reserve.
End of defense (5)
Aidan Hutchinson
Marcus Davenport
Josh Paschal (Active/NFI)
Al-Quadin Muhammad Nate Lynn Ahmed Hassanein* (injured)
Mitchell Agude
Isaac Ukwu
Jeremy:
A few assumptions are being made in this context. One, we are presuming that Dan Campbell will adhere to his promise that Josh Paschal will be able to return to practice in early September. He would be required to be absent from practice and games for a minimum of the first four weeks of the season unless the Lions remove him from NFI.
The second hypothesis is that the Lions are receiving negative news regarding Hassanein’s injury from Saturday night. Campbell appeared to suggest that it could temporarily hinder his performance, which may not be as detrimental as it may appear. The Lions could be well-prepared to manage his injury, provided that it does not result in a season-ending injury. If he is assigned to one of the two IR-to-return positions during roster cutdowns, it would create an opportunity for a player such as Nate Lynn, who is having a strong preseason. Afterward, Hassanein may return after a minimum of four weeks, provided that he is prepared.
Defensive tackle (5 + 2 PUP)
DJ Reader
Roy Lopez Tyleik Williams
Pat O’Connor
Keith Cooper* Chris Smith
Adams, Myles
Brodric Martin
Active/PUP: Alim McNeill, Mekhi Wingo
Erik:
Although we are optimistic about Paschal’s potential return, we are less optimistic about Wingo’s potential return, which creates a fifth roster space on the defensive line. We gave serious consideration to Chris Smith for the position last week; however, Cooper’s positional versatility and consistent early opportunities from the coaching staff have convinced us to reconsider. Cooper is the primary 4i, with O’Connor filling in at 3-technique. Additionally, he has been representing at the 3T and nose tackle in pass rushing situations. We would appreciate it if Cooper could demonstrate greater on-field performance; however, his consistency against the run suffices to satisfy a roster requirement.
Linebacker (6 + 1 PUP)
Alex Anzalone
Jack Campbell
Derrick Barnes
Grant Stuard
Trevor Nowaske
Zachary Cunningham
Anthony Pittman
Ezekiel Turner
DaRon Gilbert
Malcolm Rodriguez, Active/PUP
Jeremy:
For the past few weeks, we have maintained the current decor of this room. Nowaske is the team’s most proficient reserve SAM linebacker and an expert in special teams. This preseason, Cunningham has appeared to be a smart veteran. It is feasible for them to execute some peculiar roster gymnastics by promptly reinstating a veteran such as Cunningham, who is not subject to waivers. However, there is currently no justification for doing so.
Cornerback (5)
Territory Arnold D.J. Reed
Amik Robertson
Rock Ya-Sin
Khalil Dorsey (Active/PUP)
Erick Hallett
Nick Whiteside
Tyson Russell
D.J. Miller
Luq Barcoo
Allan George
Erik:
Meeks’s reduction commences at this point. We would prefer to have a sixth corner, but we are confident in the depth of the secondary due to the fact that Ya-Sin and Avonte Maddox are cross-training at both safety and corner. The decision was between Hallett and Whiteside if we were to determine a roster place for an additional defensive back. Hallett’s positional range, ability to fill gaps in run support, and adequate coverage skills have propelled him to the lead, despite our previous preference for Whiteside due to his coverage skills. Regrettably, we determined that Meeks was too valuable to be subjected to waivers, and this results in Hallett becoming player 54 on the roster.
Safety (4)
Brian Branch Kerby Joseph Avonte Maddox
Ian Kennelly*
Loren Strickland
Morice Norris
Jeremy:
Rock Ya-Sin has been representing the safety position for weeks and may even be considered a full-time safety at this juncture, despite the room’s appearance of being thin. Nevertheless, he is a viable alternative. Furthermore, Erick Hallett may serve as an emergency option in the event that he is selected for the team or the practice squad.
Although I believed Loren Strickland played well against the Dolphins, Kennelly has now been ahead of him for several weeks in both special teams and defense. Strickland is an exceptional candidate for inclusion in the practice squad.
Three specialists
Jack Fox (P) Jake Bates (K) Hogan Hatten (LS)
Erik:
Presently, these three are experiencing an effortless existence.
Returning to one’s starting point
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