Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection heading into 2024 training camp

Defensive Line/EDGE: 10 (34/53)

-DE Aidan Hutchinson
-DT Alim McNeill
-DT DJ Reader
-DE Marcus Davenport
-DE Josh Paschal
-DT Brodric Martin
-DT Mekhi Wingo
-EDGE James Houston
-EDGE Mathieu Betts
-DT Levi Onwuzurike

The big-name odd-man out here is John Cominsky, who needs a strong training camp and could end up being a tradeable asset. Onwuzurike got good reviews for his work during OTAs, and he continues that healthy revival right through camp/the preseason to stick around. Betts, the CFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, proves worthy of the flier the Lions took on him and wins a roster spot.

Linebackers: 5 (39/53)

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

The Lions are deep here, and keeping six off-the-ball linebackers is possible. But a numbers game connected to other positions leaves us with five right now, with a quintet that can be locked into spots as much as any five players on the roster.

Defensive Backs: 11 (50/53)

-CB Carlton Davis
-CB Terrion Arnold
-S Kerby Joseph
-CB/S Brian Branch
-CB Ennis Rakestraw
-S Ifeatu Melifonwu
-CB Amik Robertson
-CB Emmanuel Moseley
-S C.J. Moore
-S Brandon Joseph
-CB Khalil Dorsey

The idea of Brian Branch playing a lot of snaps at safety this year, and perhaps (likely?) seizing one of the starting spots, alters the conversation here a little bit. Dorsey went a long way to securing a roster spot with a strong minicamp, and he's also prominent in the kick returner conversation as the new NFL kickoff rule alters the significance of that play. Brandon Joseph looked good in offseason work, and as long as he carries that forward he'll be hard to push off the 53-man roster.