Heading into training camp, here’s a 53-man roster projection for the Detroit Lions.
Veterans will report to Detroit Lions training camp on Tuesday, with the first camp practice slated or Wednesday.
A lot can and will happen between now and final cuts when Week 1 is on the horizon. The Lions have some prominent injury recoveries as camp storylines, and some battles for spots down the depth chart at some positions will be interesting too.
With that, here’s a pre-training camp 53-man roster projection for the Lions, with some analysis where applicable.
Detroit Lions: Pre-training camp 53-man roster projection
Quarterbacks (3): Jared Goff, Tim Boyle, David Blough
The situation behind Goff is still ripe for change, as other teams make cuts, etc. But be that as it may, the Lions keep three quarterbacks right now and it’s the incumbent backups to round out the depth chart.
Running Backs (6): D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, Craig Reynolds, Jason Cabinda (FB), Jermar Jefferson, Godwin Igwebuike
Wide Receivers (7): Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Chark, Jameson Williams, Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, Quintez Cephus, Trinity Benson
I’m projecting Williams to be off the non-football injury list and practicing before Week 1, and thus be on the 53-man roster. But the Lions keep seven receivers going into the season, as Cephus and Benson both prove worthy and depth is kept to allow Williams to be eased in.
Tight End (3): T.J. Hockenson, Brock Wright, James Mitchell
Offensive Line (9): Taylor Decker, Penei Sewell, Frank Ragnow, Jonah Jackson, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Evan Brown, Kevin Jarvis, Obinna Eze, Tommy Kraemer
Defensive Line (7): Aidan Hutchinson, Charles Harris, Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike, Michael Brockers, Josh Paschal, Julian Okwara
Romeo Okwara (Achilles) will start camp on the PUP list. He suffered his injury in Week 4 last season, so he’s a solid candidate to also go into the season on the PUP list.
Linebackers (5): Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Chris Board, Jarrad Davis
Secondary (10)
Cornerbacks (6): Amani Oruwariye, Jeff Okudah, Mike Hughes, Will Harris, AJ Parker, Ifeatu Melifonwu
Safeties (4): Tracy Walker, DeShon Elliott, Kerby Joseph, C.J. Moore
Cornerback Jerry Jacobs suffered a torn ACL in Week 14 last year and he’ll start camp on the PUP list. He’s likely to start the season on the PUP list, which will cost him at least the first four games.
Special Teams (3): PK Riley Patterson, P Jack Fox, LS Scott Daly
I’ve got Patterson, who stabilized the Lions’ kicking situation late last season, beating out Austin Seibert in a camp battle.