Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection after Week 2 of the preseason

Defensive Line (9)

-Aidan Hutchinson
-Alim McNeill
-Marcus Davenport
-DJ Reader
-Levi Onwuzurike
-Josh Paschal
-Brodric Martin
-Mekhi Wingo
-Kyle Peko

It's odd that Paschal was in the game against the Chiefs so late, but he made a notable key play with a strip sack. Agude is making a push toward the good side of the roster bubble, but he didn't quite make it here. Peko makes it as insurance against Reader not be fully ready for Week 1.

James Houston is being moved back to strictly edge rusher, but a knee injury from the first preseason game seems to have kept him out of the game against the Chiefs (not because he's a roster lock). He has become an easy cut for me, and that's a hill I may stand alone on.

Linebackers (5)

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

A lingering injury for Rodriguez is opening the door for Ben Niemann to possibly make the roster, and he did well against the Chiefs. If there was easier room for six linebackers, Niemann might be a lock here.

Cornerbacks (6)

-Carlton Davis
-Terrion Arnold
-Amik Robertson
-Ennis Rakestraw
-Kindle Vildor
-Khalil Dorsey

Vildor has made a run at winning a roster spot lately, solidified by a good showing against the Chiefs. Dorsey equally solidified his roster spot, with injuries over the past week bringing opportunity that he also seized heading into and during the game against Kansas City.

Safeties (5)

-Brian Branch
-Kerby Joseph
-Ifeatu Melifonwu
-Brandon Joseph
-C.J. Moore

Brandon Joseph had an interception against the Giants in the preseason opener, and he forced a fumble against the Chiefs (recovered by Kansas City). He's been too good in camp and two preseason games to leave off the roster. Moore makes it five safeties here, strictly on his special teams value.

Specialists (3)

-K Jake Bates
-P Jack Fox
-LS Scott Daly

Bates has locked up the Lions' kicking gig. There appears to be a genuine competition between Daly and undrafted rookie Hogan Hatten for the long snapper job, as Hatten notably got the first shot against the Chiefs and he also got snaps at linebacker in the first preseason game. But Daly was doing the snapping late in the game though, and based on sheer experience he gets the nod.