Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection after the 2023 NFL Draft

Defensive Line (9)

DE Aidan Hutchinson
DE/Edge James Houston
DE/Edge Romeo Okwara
DE Charles Harris
DE Josh Paschal
DT Alim McNeill
DE John Cominsky
DT Isaiah Buggs
DT Brodric Martin

Pretty cut and dry here, though some may note the absence of Levi Onwuzurike. Julian Okwara  is also a notable cut.

Linebackers (6)

Alex Anzalone
Malcolm Rodriguez
Jack Campbell
Derrick Barnes
Anthony Pittman
Jalen Reeves-Maybin

Another pretty easy spot to narrow down. A question would be Campbell’s role. Will he push for a starting job right away? From this corner Anzalone should be more vulnerable than Rodriguez, but the Lions probably won’t agree.

Cornerbacks (6)

Cameron Sutton
C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Emmanuel Moseley
Jerry Jacobs
Will Harris
Starling Thomas

Gardner-Johnson’s position designation could be debated, as he’ll be the slot corner but also be moved around the defense in a hybrid role. Moseley should be ready to go as he completes his recovery from a torn ACL last October. Jacobs and Harris stick around as important reserves, and I tacked on the undrafted free agent Thomas to get to six cornerbacks on this 53.

Safeties (3)

Tracy Walker
Kerby Joseph
Brian Branch

By all accounts Walker is making fantastic progress in his recovery from a torn Achilles in Week 3 last season, and should be ready in plenty of time for Week 1. If that turns the other direction for some reason, then there would be an opening for someone else (Savion Smith?, Ifeatu Melifonwu?) to open the season on the active roster.

Branch should find his way onto the field plenty as a versatile chess piece for Aaron Glenn as a rookie.

Specialists (3)

PK Michael Badgley
P Jack Fox
LS Jake McQuaide

A step into aggressive territory might have the Lions signing a notable free agent to compete with, or just outright replace, Badgley. But absent that nothing more than camp leg might be added, adding to Badgley’s job security. I’ve got McQuaide beating out incumbent long snapper Scott Daly.

Defense/Special Teams Roster Tally: 27
Total Roster Tally: 53

As bonus, let’s also project a 16-man practice squad for the Lions.

1–OT Connor Galvin
2–CB Chase Lucas
3–CB Mac McClain
4–RB Jermar Jefferson
5–QB Adrian Martinez
6–WR Chase Cota
7–LB Trevor Nowaske
8–DE Zach Morton
9–S Brandon Joseph
10–TE Derrick Deese Jr.
11–TE Shane Zylstra
12–OG/C Brad Cecil
13–OG/C Ross Pierschbacher
14–WR/KR Maurice Alexander
15–LB Isaac Darkangelo
16–WR Tom Kennedy, or OT Obinna Eze if Kennedy starts the season on the 53-man roster