Final Detroit Lions 2023 53-man roster projection before Week 1

Running Backs (5)
David Montgomery
Jahmyr Gibbs
Craig Reynolds
Benny Snell
Jason Cabinda (FB)

Reynolds may have needed a good showing against the Panthers to solidify his place as the No. 3 running back, and he delivered (11 carries for 41 yards and a touchdown). Cabinda sticks around after being on the roster bubble all offseason. I'm going with Snell as the fourth running back--a core special teamer and fallback option for work in the offense.

Wide Receivers (6)
Amon-Ra St. Brown
Marvin Jones
Kalif Raymond
Josh Reynolds
Dylan Drummond
Antoine Green
Jameson Williams (suspended)

Drummond had a nice game against Carolina, showing his mettle as a short and intermediate area receiver, while fellow UDFA Chase Cota had a couple bad drops that stand to cost him. Green had his best showing of the preseason against the Panthers, highlighted by a 70-yard touchdown, so he gets a late push up to the 53 here.

Tight Ends (3)
Sam LaPorta
Brock Wright
James Mitchell

The chalk trio remains here. No need for further exposition.

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

Sorsdal became a lock to make it over the course of the preseason, as he was lined up at multiple spots and was effective. Nelson and Ifedi were in a proverbial battle for one roster spot as the Lions' primary backup tackle, but I've got both making it here.