DETROIT — The preseason is over. Cut day is Tuesday. And soon, the Detroit Lions’ 2024 roster will be finalized.
But first, one final roster projection.
This was the toughest roster projection I’ve had to do. The Lions are going to be parting ways with some good players. That’s what happens when you build a contending roster. Difficult decisions ahead, but a good problem to have.
A reminder: the NFL is allowing teams to designate two players to return from injured reserve if they’re placed there on cut day. It would allow teams to place players with long-term injuries who are expected to return late in the year on the injured reserve, without placing them on the 53-man roster first. It was a rule proposed by the Lions.
Quarterbacks (3)
Jared Goff, Hendon Hooker, Nate Sudfeld
Notable cuts: Jake Fromm
It feels like a three-QB roster is all but a formality. Dan Campbell explained it pretty well the other day.
“You have to have conviction that whoever that guy is is going to be able to keep this ship afloat,” Campbell said of the backup job. “And what we know about Hooker is, Hooker is a young developing quarterback and he needs reps and he needs time. I do know that. And Nate right now has the upper hand because he’s played more. He’s been in it more, he’s seen it more, he just — and so with that, that would tell you there’s a good chance you could keep three. Am I going to say that’s 100 percent certain right now? No. But that’s kind of what you look at.”
If there’s a new development from the preseason, it’s that Fromm might’ve worked himself into the practice squad mix. Initially signed as preseason insurance when Hooker was in concussion protocol, Campbell has been impressed with Fromm’s knowledge of the offense and even his performance in the preseason finale (6-of-8 for 89 yards in limited action). Keep an eye on him.
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Running backs (4)
Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki
Notable cuts: Jermar Jefferson, Zonovan Knight
Jefferson has had a very strong summer. If he doesn’t make the team, he’s going to be among the tougher cuts. Knight has also flashed. I’m just not sure there’s room for five running backs on the roster. Reynolds and Vaki will play a lot of special teams, which is essentially the case for keeping a fifth anyway. If Jefferson or Knight can stick on the practice squad, have to think the Lions would be thrilled.
Wide receivers (4)
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, Isaiah Williams
Notable cuts: Donovan Peoples-Jones, Daurice Fountain, Kaden Davis
This is one of those “trust the process” roster decisions. The Lions will get to five receivers eventually. It could be when the initial 53-man roster is announced, or shortly thereafter. Based on what I’ve seen, I’m not sure any receiver outside of the top three — other than rookie UDFA Isaiah Williams — has done enough to make the roster. He’s been the most consistent preseason performer and has been just as steady in camp behind the scenes. The only argument for him not making the roster is that he’s redundant as a smaller, slot receiver/returner with Raymond here. But he’s done enough to earn a spot on a roster somewhere in this league. Can’t say the same for others.
Now, the Lions won’t go into the season with just four receivers. At this point, I really think the X receiver the team is looking for is currently on another roster. If they keep a fifth on the initial roster, Peoples-Jones is probably the frontrunner. But again, I’m not sure he’s done enough and it probably depends on what’s out there. We’ll see.
Offensive line (9)
Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, Frank Ragnow, Kevin Zeitler, Penei Sewell, Colby Sorsdal, Dan Skipper, Giovanni Manu, Kayode Awosika
*NFI: Christian Mahogany
Notable cuts: Michael Niese, Kingsley Eguakun
The Lions have been rolling out a few different options for one of the final offensive line spots, which seems like it’ll come down to Awosika, Niese and Eguakun. Niese has gotten a ton of work with the first-team offense between the spring and summer whenever Ragnow or Zeitler missed time. Eguakun most recently was worked in this week, but didn’t pass the eye test in the team’s closed scrimmage. Awosika’s experience is the deciding factor here. In this scenario, Niese and Eguakun are off the practice squad.
Tight ends (3)
Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra
Notable cuts: James Mitchell, Parker Hesse
This is a position that feels the most unsettled. There’s a world in which the Lions keep four tight ends. There’s a world in which they keep three, and one in which former fifth-round pick James Mitchell doesn’t make the team. That’s what I did here, but I don’t feel great about it. Mitchell hasn’t been better than the top three tight ends, and even Hesse adds some value as a fullback. I could see him making the team if the front office would like to see that development through, but it’s certainly a tough call. What happens at safety could also be a deciding factor.
Defensive tackle (6)
Alim McNeill, DJ Reader, Levi Onwuzurike, Kyle Peko, Brodric Martin, Mekhi Wingo
Notable cuts: Chris Smith
I think we’re looking at one of the strong positions on the team here, folks. I love the depth Detroit’s built. McNeill looks like he’s ready for a Pro Bowl season. Reader, when healthy, will make others around him better. Onwuzurike has been a man on a mission this offseason. Peko is just a rock-solid vet who does the dirty work and, as of now, is the backup nose tackle. Martin remains an intriguing developmental prospect, even if he’s not ready for a regular role. Wingo can be washed out in the run game at times but has flashed some juice as an interior rusher. A little bit of everything here.
Smith has received a lot of love from the coaching staff. That’s worth mentioning. But it’d be hard to keep seven defensive tackles.
James Houston should still make the roster even though the Lions have some reservations about his abilities. (Junfu Han / USA Today)
Edge (5)
Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Josh Paschal, James Houston, Mitchell Agude
*IR: John Cominsky
Notable cuts: Isaac Ukwu, Mathieu Betts
A little lighter than you’d like, but the injury to Cominsky changed the picture here a bit. The top three are secure (expect Onwuzurike to play some edge, too). Houston is more of a one-trick pony these days, with the staff taking away SAM linebacker responsibilities, but that one trick is a good one. I have him in, even though it can be hard to get a read on how the staff feels about him. I don’t think they love his freelance tendencies at times. I’m going Agude over Ukwu — who’s had an excellent preseason. It’s a tough choice, but one made because of Campbell’s quote this week.
“I see growth,” Campbell said. “We like Mitch. Mitch, he’s another guy, just busts his rear, he gives you everything he’s got out there and he’s got some rush ability. He’s strong, quick off the edge. And look, we moved him to SAM linebacker last week, so we kind of made that change. ‘Let’s put him at SAM and move Houston to more D-end.’ So, we flopped those two. And it’s not necessarily the perfect position for Mitch, but he’s made the most of it and he’s trying to make it work and that’s a credit to him. But he still has enough of that where he can play the D-end position and really excel at what he does best, so he’s doing a good job. We like Mitch.”
Linebacker (6)
Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Ben Niemann
Notable cuts: Ty Summers
My first roster projection had five linebackers, but I’m going with six now. Niemann has made some plays defensively throughout the summer and adds value on special teams, much like former Lions LB Anthony Pittman. He did not play in the final, which could signal he’s in. The rest of the names here certainly are. Well-rounded room.
Cornerbacks (5)
Carlton Davis III, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Khalil Dorsey
*IR: Emmanuel Moseley
Notable cuts: Kindle Vildor, Steven Gilmore
I wouldn’t rule out both Vildor and Dorsey making the 53 — that was an alternative I had here. I like Vildor more than most and think he could land on a roster elsewhere. But Dorsey feels like a lock, and I had to make the numbers work elsewhere. This would give the Lions five corners who could play on the outside if needed. Robertson should be the starting nickel, but remember — Branch can move back in the event of an injury. Rakestraw could also get a look in the slot. The depth is there, and the hope is that Moseley is able to return at some point in the second half of the season. That would lessen the need for Vildor anyway.
Safeties (5)
Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Brandon Joseph, C.J. Moore
Notable cuts: Loren Strickland
A wrinkle was thrown into the safety conversation on Saturday. Campbell was asked about the status of Melifonwu, who missed some time this past week. His answer was somewhat guarded.
“He’s been out for a little while,” Campbell said. “Nothing that we feel like is long-term yet. It’s continuing to take a little while, so I’m not too sure on that one. …I don’t know when we will have him back or if he’ll be back, what that timeline is.”
Injuries are nothing new to Melifonwu and might just come with the territory at this point. Detroit’s projected starting safeties are Branch and Kerby Joseph, with Melifonwu serving as a high-quality third safety and a subpackage weapon. But if he has to miss time, it might entice the Lions to keep five safeties. Brandon Joseph feels like the next man up if Melifonwu won’t be ready to start the season. C.J. Moore is a trusted special-teamer, so he’d also be a difficult cut.
In this scenario, if the Lions add a fifth receiver from another team, it might come at the expense of one of these safeties. But for now, both are in.
Specialists (3)
Jack Fox, Jake Bates, Scott Daly
Notable cuts: Hogan Hatten
Only battle here is between Daly and Hatten. I’m going with the incumbent, but teams don’t usually have long snapper competitions in back-to-back years. Coin toss for me.
(Top photo of James Mitchell: Paul Sancya / AP Photo)
