Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection heading into the preseason opener

Heading into the preseason opener against the New York Giants, here's a fresh 53-man roster projection for the Detroit Lions.

Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK

Quarterbacks (2)
Jared Goff
Teddy Bridgewater

Update: With the signing of Teddy Bridgewater, he replaces Nate Sudfeld.

Rookie Hendon Hooker has looked good working after practice during camp, but he is still a strong candidate to open the season on the PUP list or I.R. The Lions could consider carrying a third experienced quarterback on the 53 heading into the season, but here and now two is the number that make it.

Running Backs (6)
David Montgomery
Jahmyr Gibbs
Justin Jackson
Jermar Jefferson
Craig Reynolds
Jason Cabinda (FB)

The question marks are keeping Cabinda, who doesn't have much of an on-field role as a fullback, how the battle for the No. 3 running backs spot shakes out and how many of those competitors are kept. I've got Jackson, Reynolds and Jefferson on the 53 right now. Jefferson has re-established himself on the radar for a roster spot.

Wide Receivers (6)
Amon-Ra St. Brown
Marvin Jones
Kalif Raymond
Josh Reynolds
Denzel Mims
Dylan Drummond
(Jameson Williams*)

With Williams starting the season with a six-game suspension, there's an opening for someone here on the 53-man roster. Drummond, the undrafted rookie out of Eastern Michigan, is making a strong case for that spot so far in training camp. He will be a player to watch againstt the Giants on Friday night, as will Mims.

Tight Ends (3)
Sam LaPorta
Brock Wright
James Mitchell

The major knee injury to Shane Zylstra took the juice out of this camp battle, and leaves the clear-cut three here.

Offensive Line (9)
Taylor Decker
Penei Sewell
Frank Ragnow
Jonah Jackson
Graham Glasgow
Halapoulivaati Vaitai
Colby Sorsdal
Matt Nelson
Ross Pierschbacher

Glasgow appears to have the early edge for the starting job at right guard over Vaitai, which would move "Big V" into a role as a veteran who can play guard and tackle.

Schedule