Detroit Lions Roster Prediction: Training Camp Edition

CORNERBACK (7)

1. Darius Slay
2. Rashean Mathis
3. Bill Bentley
4. Cassius Vaughn
5. Nevin Lawson
6. Jonte Green
7. Aaron Hester

When I did my first prediction Chris Houston was still on the roster. I was never really convinced he was going to add much this season anyway. That leaves Darius Slay and Rashean Mathis as the starting cornerbacks on the roster. Word on the street is that the Lions are very conscious of how much they want use Mathis throughout the season. I would expect to see Cassius Vaughn get snaps with the first unit throughout the preseason to be ready in case Mathis needs a series or two off during a game. Our own Kent Platte even went as far as to say that Vaughn was the best looking cornerback on the field last Friday.

One of the main surprises for me has been the reported play of Jonte Green. I’d all but written Green off after last season, but he obviously has taken Martin Mayhew’s words to heart about third year cornerbacks. Jeff Risdon noted that he’s “definitely more comfortable in attack mode, something Teryl Austin’s defense demands from the outside corners.” The Lions are in desperate need for some of those young cornerbacks to step up and make contributions.