Detroit Lions post-minicamp 53-man roster and depth chart projection

Defensive Line (10)

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

Defensive Tackle (4)
Alim McNeill
Isaiah Buggs (NT)
Brodric Martin (NT)
Christian Covington

The notable absence here is defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike, with the veteran Covington earning a spot over him.

Linebackers (5)

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

Anzalone and the rookie Campbell are lined up to be the two starting off-ball linebackers for the Lions, in base nickel. Rodriguez and Barnes are capable backups, with Reeves-Maybin replacing Anthony Pittman as a core special teamer.

Cornerbacks (6)

Cameron Sutton
Emmanuel Moseley
Jerry Jacobs
Will Harris
Starling Thomas
Chase Lucas

Sutton and Moseley (assuming he's good to for Week 1 coming of a torn ACL last year) will be the Lions' starting outside corners, with Jacobs as a more than capable No. 3 guy. Harris gets bumped of being the primary slot corner by the addition of C.J. Gardner-Johnson, but he'll stick aroind as depth piece and special teamer. The undrafted rookie Thomas and last year's final draft pick Lucas make this a six-pack of cornerbacks on the 53-man roster.

Safeties (5)

C.J. Gardner-Johnson
Tracy Walker
Kerby Joseph
Brian Branch
Ifeatu Melifonwu

As mentioned, Gardner-Johnson is lined up to primarily be the Lions' nickel/slot corner. But his versatility will be put to good use as he reunites with Aaron Glenn, who was his defensive backs coach with the New Orleans Saints. Walker's continued progress from a torn Achilles is something to note when training camp starts.

It's definitely odd to see what looks like an embarrassment of riches in a Lions' secondary now.

Roster Count: 50

Specialists (3)

Michael Badgley (PK)
Jack Fox (P)
Jake McQuaide (LS)

Badgley will have to be clearly unseated as the Lions' kicker during camp and preseason if he's going to lose the job, and after minicamp it's unclear if John Parker Romo or Riley Patterson are up to that task.

Fox is one of the NFL's best punters, so there's nothing more to say there. McQuaide is set to compete with incumbent long snapper Scott Daly, and I've got him winning the job.