Detroit Lions 53-Man Roster Projection: Offense
By Jeff Risdon
It’s time for the annual parlor game of projecting the Detroit Lions final 53-man roster! Even though OTAs just ended and the preseason doesn’t kick off until Aug. 12th in Pittsburgh, confidence is pretty high in about 45 of the final 53.
Today we cover the offense; the defense comes tomorrow. Who makes the cut?
QB (2)
Matthew Stafford
Dan Orlovsky
Stafford is the entrenched starter, end of conversation. Orlovsky is in better shape this offseason and understands the offense, impressing both the coaching staff and media onlookers in OTAs. I expect the experience and comfort in the offense wins out over sixth-round pick Jake Rudock, who is fated for the practice squad as the Lions will not keep three QBs on the active roster.
RB (5)
Ameer Abdullah
Theo Riddick
Zach Zenner
Michael Burton (FB)
Mystery player
Abdullah is the lead runner and top dog as he enters his second season. Riddick led all NFL running backs in receptions last year and is a good bet to repeat. After that, the position is a giant question mark. Burton makes it as the fullback, though how much action he gets is debatable.
For now, Zenner makes the roster. He showed enough promise in his rookie summer camp to merit a long look. He will have to beat out Stevan Ridley, who offers veteran presence but missed almost all of last year with a torn ACL and has but one good season out of five. Nothing against Ridley, but I don’t think his Bob Quinn/Patriots connection saves him. I expect a player not currently in Detroit to pick up the role as the “heavy” RB while Zenner spends most of the season playing strictly on special teams.
George Winn and Dwayne Washington are likely battling for the same practice squad spot. Winn’s special teams prowess gives him the edge. Both could make the taxi squad.
WR (5)
Golden Tate
Marvin Jones
T.J. Jones
Andre Roberts
Jay Lee
Tate is the new No. 1. Marvin Jones will be the No. 2 in his first season in Detroit. Those are the outside receivers. The battle for the slot will be fierce. T.J. Jones has the upper hand based on his strong finish last year…I think. Camp and preseason will sort it all out.
I like Jeremy Kerley more than Jones but I’m not sold Coach Caldwell will. Roberts makes it for his return skills more than he’ll contribute to the offense. Lee wins the big, speedy, outside wideout role as an undrafted free agent, assisted by the untimely injury to Corey Fuller. Quinshad Davis is the most likely practice squad candidate, but he’ll have to be better than he was in OTAs.
TE (3)
Eric Ebron
Cole Wick
Mystery player
You’re probably wondering, where is Brandon Pettigrew? In short…
The hype on UDFA Wick is impressive, and it comes both publicly and privately. Matthew Mulligan has the inside track for the third spot, but I believe that role will wind up going to a more receiving-oriented player not currently on the roster. The heavy blocking TE role will come from the offensive linemen.
OL (10)
Taylor Decker
Riley Reiff
Laken Tomlinson
Larry Warford
Travis Swanson
Graham Glasgow
Geoff Schwartz
Joe Dahl
Michael Ola
Cornelius Lucas
The first five listed are the presumptive starters, with Reiff and Decker at tackle, Warford and Tomlinson at guard. Swanson and Glasgow will battle for the center gig, and the loser instantly becomes the top interior reserve.
Schwartz is the veteran leadership presence the line sorely lacked last year, and he can play any spot but center as a valuable backup. Ola played better than advertised at right tackle in ’15, and Dahl has enough potential that sneaking him through to the practice squad seems unlikely. The surprise here is Lucas, who makes the team as the aforementioned blocking tight end. Chase Farris makes the practice squad.
That’s 25, which leaves 25 for the defense and 3 specialists. The one spot I could see the Lions skimping in favor of a defender is the 10th offensive lineman.