SideLion Report
FanSided

Detroit Lions: 53-man roster projection prior to preseason finale

By Jeremy Friedrichs

HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 17: Andrew Adams #24 of the Detroit Lions intercepts a pass intended for Jester Weah #86 of the Houston Texans in the second quarter during the preseason game at NRG Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - AUGUST 17: Andrew Adams #24 of the Detroit Lions intercepts a pass intended for Jester Weah #86 of the Houston Texans in the second quarter during the preseason game at NRG Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 10
Next
(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Cornerbacks

In: (6) Darius Slay, Justin Coleman, Rashaan Melvin, Jamal Agnew, Amani Oruwariye, Mike Ford

Out: Teez Tabor, Jamar Summers, Andre Chachere, Dee Virgin, Jonathan Alston

Rationale: Fewer position groups on the Lions’ roster have more question marks than cornerback. The top three are set in Slay, Coleman and Melvin, but there is little clarity after that.

Agnew has an inside track due to his abilities as a returner, (another muffed punt could really damage his stock, though). He has made minimal progress on defense however, and he doesn’t have the size to play on the outside. Still, it’s hard to see him not making the team.

The incremental progress that the much-maligned Tabor was making this offseason and summer hit a snag with an injury that has kept him out for several weeks. The Lions simply can’t afford to keep waiting on him, and the fourth preseason game could represent his last chance to save his career in Detroit. That seems like a tall order at this point, and we have the Lions moving on here.

Virgin offers solid special teams play, but is also undersized. Ford makes the cut here, thanks to  his experience in Matt Patricia’s defensive system from 2018. None of the Lions’ other young corners have moved the needle much in three preseason games.

There is a steep learning curve for rookie cornerbacks in the NFL, so expectations for Oruwariye should be tempered. The Lions like him, but probably not enough to throw him to the wolves yet on game days. He could spend a lot of time this year on the sidelines, ideally to his long term benefit.

This is also a position where the Lions could decide to go with an abundance of players, in hopes that volume trumps any talent concerns. Any missed time by the top three of this group could spell trouble. One also gets the feeling that the Lions will be on the hunt for a passable veteran corner to add to the group when cutdown day arrives. The trouble is, players that fit that profile rarely shake loose in the NFL.

Home/Lions News