Post Draft Prediction for the Detroit Lions 53-Man Roster
By Justin Simon
Defensive Line
Dec 22, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive end Ezekiel Ansah (94) sacks New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Currently on the roster: Ezekiel Ansah, Kournei Brown, George Johnson, Jason Jones, Devin Taylor, Larry Webster, Darryl Tapp, Nick Fairely, Ndamukong Suh, Andre Fluellen, Greg Hickman, Vaughn Martin, C.J. Mosley, Xavier Proctor, Caraun Reid, and Jimmy Saddler-McQueen
The Lions defensive line will be looking a little different under new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin. Gone are the days of the the wide 9 alignment on every play. The Lions could be going to three down, four down, or even five down lineman on any given play next fall.
The Lions brought in veteran Darryl Tapp this offseason, but I’m not quite sure where he fits. The Lions have added defensive ends with length over the past few seasons (seven of their defensive ends are over 6’ 4” and 250 lbs.) Tapp doesn’t fit that mold and I’m not sure how the Lions plan on using him. My guess would be more along the lines of Kyle Van Noy as a hybrid outside linebacker.
The most roster movement on the defensive line will probably come at defensive tackle where the Lions currently have 9 players trying to fill four spots. Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley are locks, but we won’t know the other two spots likely until camp closes in August.
I don’t think there’s any way that Caraun Reid isn’t on the roster. As Max DeMara points out, Reid is the ideal complement for the Lions’ tandem in the middle with the sizable Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley. That leaves one spot, and my money is on C.J. Mosely to win despite a close camp battle.
My Guess: Ezekiel Ansah, Jason Jones, Devin Taylor, Larry Webster, Darryl Tapp, Nick Fairely, Ndamukong Suh, C.J. Mosley, and Caraun Reid (9)