Detroit Lions 53-Man Roster Prediction: Preseason Week 3 Edition
By Alex Reno
Dec 22, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (90) and defensive tackle Nick Fairley (98) listen to the national anthem before the game against the New York Giants at Ford Field. Giants beat the Lions 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive Line (9)
- Ziggy Ansah
- Ndamukong Suh
- Nick Fairley
- Jason Jones
- Devin Taylor
- CJ Mosley
- Caraun Reid
- George Johnson
- Larry Webster
It may be an unpopular opinion, but I feel like the Detroit Lions’ defensive line has been massively overrated for years. I see a lot of potential on this line, but we haven’t seen the results. Ziggy Ansah had a great rookie year, but still had trouble pressuring the quarterback, though I expect him to have an improved Sophomore year.
Suh remains one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL, but the future at the DT position looks bleak. Fairley has been officially demoted to the second-team leaving CJ Mosley as the starting tackle adjacent to Suh.
There is still hope for the Lions’ underachieving defensive line, however. The rookie out of Princeton — Caraun Reid — has shown some promise with the second and third-team units and has made some flashy plays in the backfield for the Lions so far.
Fourth-round pick Larry Webster has been crushing (literally) opposing quarterbacks, while journeyman George Johnson has seen vast improvements in his game, and provides some help as a pass rushing specialist.
Daryl Tapp is the only other player I could see landing on the final roster, but I don’t think he’s proven enough yet.