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

Defensive Tackle (3)
Alim McNeill
Brodric Martin
Isaiah Buggs

The notable name not included here is Levi Onwuzurike. He has been healthy enough to practice in some capacity, and the preseason opener may be a real chance for him to stand out.

Edge Rushers (6)
Aidan Hutchinson
James Houston
John Cominsky
Josh Paschal
Charles Harris
Romeo Okwara

Edge rusher is one of the deepest spots on this team. The versatility of Cominsky, Paschal and even Hutchinson to play inside helps the interior line situation.

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

Campbell has made his case to start alongside Anzalone, leaving Barnes and Rodriguez as backups to provide the kind of linebacker depth the Lions have not had in a long time. Reeves-Maybin and Pittman both offer special teams value.

Cornerbacks (5)
Cameron Sutton
Jerry Jacobs
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (slot)
Will Harris
Starling Thomas
(Emmanuel Moseley*)

At this point, Moseley (ACL) seems headed for the PUP list to start the season. He is reported to have had a second surgery on his injured knee, and when or if he'll be able to take the practice field in training camp is unclear.

Thomas was the choice over fellow undrafted rookie Steven Gilmore, who has also had some good moments thus far in camp.

Safeties (4)
Tracy Walker
Kerby Joseph
Brian Branch
Ifeatu Melifonwu

If you were counting this projected Lions' roster 1-53, as Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire pointed to, Melifonwu would probably be No. 53. He has also been dealing with a knee injury, but a return to practice on Saturday is good news and he should get plenty of run against the Giants.

Specialists (3)
PK Riley Patterson
P Jack Fox
LS Scott Daly

Update: With Monday's news Jake McQuaide was waived, Scott Daly gets put into the long snapper spot.

The position battles at kicker and long snapper are not settled, so preseason games will be important there. But Patterson has to be the early internal favorite over John Parker Romo, if only based on experience. The possible eventual addition of a new kicker hangs over that battle. At long snapper, the former Pro Bowler McQuaide gets the edge here over Scott Daly.