Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection after the 2024 NFL Draft

Defense/Specialists

Defensive End/EDGE (6)
Aidan Hutchinson
Marcus Davenport
James Houston
Josh Paschal
Mathieu Betts
John Cominsky

The group here is pretty straight-forward. Paschal is entering a crucial season in his career, as is Houston coming off an injury-wrecked second season. Cominsky took a pay cut to stick around, which could make him vulnerable to a surprise cut, but I've got him sticking around.

Defensive Tackle (4)
Alim McNeill
DJ Reader
Mehki Wingo
Brodric Martin

Another group that is easy to project. The drafting of Wingo bumps Levi Onwuzurike off the roster, while Martin should play more in his second season (not that he could play much less than he did as a rookie last year).

Linebackers (6)
Alex Anzalone
Derrick Barnes
Jack Campbell
Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Malcolm Rodriguez
Steele Chambers

Linebacker is the deepest spot on the Lions' roster, with five guys who could start for a lot of other teams. Among UDFAs who could stick, Chambers is easy to tack on as an immediate special teams contributor to replace the departed Anthony Pittman.

Cornerback (6)
Carlton Davis
Terrion Arnold
Amik Robertson
Ennis Rakestraw
Emmanuel Moseley
Khalil Dorsey

The Lions aggressively upgraded their cornerback room this offseason, adding Davis and Robertson then doubling-up with Arnold and Rakestraw in the draft. The roster battles will be for depth spots, and I've got Moseley and Dorsey usurping Kindle Vildor et al. Steven Gilmore could be a factor here over the course of the offseason.

Safeties (4)
Brian Branch
Kerby Joseph
Ifeatu Melifonwu
Brandon Joseph

Branch was excellent as the nickel corner last year as rookie, but the additions at cornerback may indeed bring a move toward a lot more snaps at safety. A veteran addition could be in the cards here too, and the Lions did add three undrafted rookies who could make a push for a roster spot. Kerby Joseph and Melifonwu are locks, and Brandon Joseph gets the fourth safety spot as currently constructed.

Specialists (3)
PK Michael Badgley
P Jack Fox
LS Scott Daly

The promised competition for Badgley has come in the form of undrafted rookie James Turner and the idea of signing Michigan Panthers kicker Jake Bates once the UFL season is over. That's not a genuine effort to replace him, so barring something unforeseen Badgley is safe. Fox is one of the best punters in the league, and Daly is unlikely to be replaced by undrafted rookie Hogan Hatten.