Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection after first week of training camp

Defensive Tackle (5)

• Alim McNeill
• DJ Reader
• Brodric Martin
• Mekhi Wingo
• Levi Onwuzurike

Pretty cut and dry here. The step up to padded practices looks to be very important for Onwuzurike, who has gotten some run as a defensive end as the Lions seemingly eye a versatile role for him.

Defensive End/Edge Rusher (5)

• Aidan Hutchinson
• Marcus Davenport
• Josh Paschal
• James Houston
• Mathieu Betts

The Lions need to find production opposite Hutchinson. Davenport has natural spotlight on him as a notable free agent, while Houston is getting back to full health after an ankle injury ruined his second season. Paschal is entering a critical year for his career, with better health at the root for him. Betts. the 2023 CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player, has had a good start to camp and makes good on the flier the Lions took on him.

Linebackers (5)

• Alex Anzalone
• Jack Campbelll
• Derrick Barnes
• Jalen Reeves-Maybin
• Malcolm Rodriguez

The Lions have added depth here with Ben Niemann and most recently Malik Jefferson, and both could factor into things. But these five guys are as locked into 53-man roster spots as anyone on the roster, barring something unforeseen.

Cornerbacks (6)

• Carlton Davis
• Terrion Arnold
• Ennis Rakestraw
• Amik Robertson
• Emmanuel Moseley
• Khalil Dorsey
  

The Lions cornerback overhaul this offseason involved the top four here, so they are of course roster locks. Things get more open after that, with Brian Branch seemingly making a transition to primarily playing safety, but Moseley and Dorsey make the cut right now.

Safeties (4)

• Brian Branch
• Kerby Joseph
• Ifeatu Melifonwu
• C.J. Moore

Branch's versatility opens up all kinds of possibilities for Aaron Glenn to deploy his secondary pieces. Moore makes the cut based on special teams value. Second-year man Brandon Joseph becomes a tough cut here despite a strong spring, based on numbers kept at other positions.

Specialists (3)

• PK Jake Bates
• P Jack Fox
• LS Scott Daly

Michael Badgley's season-ending injury leaves Bates as the only kicker on the Lions' roster (for now, and subject to change very quickly). He struggled on the last day of non-padded practice, so how he responds to that mental test will be something to watch. Based on the names of the four kickers that came to Allen Park to work out right after Badgley's injury, the job is Bates' to lose unless he absolutely falls flat on his face.