Detroit Lions headlines: Is Michael Roberts on the roster bubble?
With just one more preseason game before final cuts, which Detroit Lions players are on the rise and who’s on the bubble? Let’s take it to the headlines!
This Saturday, the Detriot Lions and every other NFL team will be required to cut down their roster from 90 players to only 53. For the Lions, it means they’ll have to make some tough decisions.
In today’s version of headlines, we’ll discuss a rookie who is rising up the depth chart in the Motor City. And we’ll reveal one surprising player who may end up on the waiver wire this weekend and more.
Projecting Lions’ 53-man roster as deadline draws near – The Detroit News
The most interesting name in the above article is tight end Michael Roberts. As a 2017 fourth-round selection and the highest ranking tight end still left from last year’s depth chart, it’s hard to believe Roberts could be a roster cut this weekend. But as Justin Rogers explains above, his recent poor play combined with the rise of Hakeem Valles and other roster needs could leave Roberts on the outside looking in.
Lions rookie report: Brandon Powell is making it tough to keep off the roster – MLive.com
The undrafted rookie receiver out of Flordia has been an absolute beast for the Lions in the preseason. He’s posted 15 receptions for 99 yards in three games and had an 80-yard punt return against the Tampa Buccaneers on Friday night. Yet, it might not be enough to crack the final 53-man roster in Detroit simply because of the talented depth chart in front of him. And that’s a real shame.
Detroit Lions stock watch: Thumbs down for Matt Patricia, Nevin Lawson – Detroit Free Press
It’s unfortunate to see head coach Matt Patricia’s name pop up on this stock report. Clearly, the Lions are not playing well. But Patricia is a first-time head coach attempting to implement a complicated new scheme. There are going to be growing pains. Patricia has only known success while being in New England since 2004. And the hope is, with time, he can duplicate that in Motown. But it will take time.
O’HARA: What we learned from Lions-Buccaneers – DetroitLions.com
Despite the Lions struggles against the Bucs Friday night, one area where they actually played fairly well (although it was hard to tell at times) was in the running game. As columnist Mike O’Hara points out in the above article, Detroit actually posted 122 rushing yards and averaged 4.4 yards per carry doing so. That looks like improvement and something to build on to us.
Next. The Detroit Lions All-Time Offensive Team. dark
Detroit Lions’ Nevin Lawson: ‘No excuse’ for poor play vs. Buccaneers – Detroit Free Press
The Lions appear to be locked on to Lawson as their starting cornerback to start the season opposite Darius Slay. But the fifth-year veteran struggled against the Bucs on Friday night which only begs the question exactly how bad have DeShawn Shead and Teez Tabor been? If Lawson continues to play poorly, you have to believe the Lions will be giving him a short leash before going in another direction.