With one preseason game and half of training camp in the books, it’s time to revisit my end-of-spring 53-man roster prediction for the Detroit Lions.
I have made a few changes to the back of my roster prediction, some necessitated by injury – Cade Mays looks destined to start the season on injured reserve – and some merit. Ahmed Hassanein didn’t appear in my first go-round of picking the initial roster, but he has played his way into a backup spot at big end with a strong camp.
I still have 52 players on my roster because that’s what general manager Brad Holmes does. But with two weeks and two preseason games left, there’s still time for someone to play their way onto the list.
I won’t do a roster prediction next week after the Washington Commanders game, so my next update will come before the preseason finale against the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 29, when the competition for the final few jobs reaches a crucible.
Here’s how I see the Lions’ 53-man roster shaking out as of mid-August, leaving one spot open:
Quarterback (2)
In: Jared Goff, Josh Dobbs.
My thoughts: The Lions want a veteran to back up Goff, which means undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer will really have to play his way into a job. Altmyer did some good things in the Lions’ preseason loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, but he had more turnovers (three) than scoring drives (two) and should make it through waivers if he’s cut. Dobbs takes Teddy Bridgewater’s place as the No. 2.
Running back (4)
In: Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki, Jacob Saylors.
My thoughts: I only had the Lions with three backs in my June prediction, but Saylors played well against the Bengals and adds value on special teams. Vaki’s job is not in jeopardy as the No. 3 back. As Lions coach Dan Campbell said Thursday, Vaki is one of the best special teams players in the NFL. He doesn’t provide much value at running back, but he’s a roster lock.
Wide receiver (5)
In: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch, Cedrick Wilson.
IR: Kendrick Law.
My thoughts: As Campbell said last week, the Lions have an “all-out battle” going on for the No. 5 receiver job – and the room is solid enough the Lions could keep six at the position. I’ll give Wilson the nod for the No. 5 job for now. He has had a nice summer, and Campbell touted his special teams ability earlier this month. Tay Martin is a sleeper for the job given his special teams ability and Tom Kennedy has the trust of coaches, but Dominic Lovett is trending down after a rough preseason debut.
Tight end (3)
In: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Tyler Conklin.
My thoughts: Conklin got a late start to camp because of a calf injury, but he should be in as the No. 3 tight end. Jackson Meeks is the one to watch at the position. Meeks has done everything the Lions have asked while converting from receiver. He’s pushing for a roster spot and might find one somewhere else if the Lions can’t find room and he plays well the next two weeks.
Offensive line (8)
In: Penei Sewell, Tate Ratledge, Blake Miller, Christian Mahogany, Juice Scruggs, Larry Borom, Ben Bartch, Miles Frazier.
IR: Cade Mays.
NFI: Gio Manu.
My thoughts: Eight is light on the offensive line, but the Lions have enough versatile linemen – Scruggs plays all three interior line spots, Ratledge can snap in a pinch and Frazier plays everywhere but center – that they might be able to reallocate this spot to a different position until Mays returns. Seth McLaughlin has taken all the first-team reps at center of late and could earn a backup job. But if the Lions think he’ll clear waivers, they can always elevate him to the game-day roster for a few weeks early in the season.
Defensive line (10)
In: Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Tyleik Williams, Tyler Lacy, DJ Wonnum, Derrick Moore, Ahmed Hassanein, Skyler Gill-Howard, Levi Onwuzurike, Chris Smith.
My thoughts: The Lions have amassed pretty good depth on the defensive line, enough that I debated several configurations of this group and admittedly don’t feel confident with the one I settled on. Mekhi Wingo has missed time with a groin injury and left the Bengals game to be evaluated for a concussion, but if he’s healthy, he could push for a job. Tyre West is a rookie seventh-round pick, Payton Turner was on my spring roster prediction but hasn’t practiced since the first day of camp, and Eric O’Neill and Anthony Lucas are practice squad material after popping in the game. I don’t think Onwuzurike or Smith are locks for jobs, but none of the rest of the group has done enough to knock them off yet.
[ Below, check out our Lions preseason game reactions and a look ahead to the upcoming season ]
Linebacker (6)
In: Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Devin White, Malcolm Rodriguez, Trevor Nowaske, Damone Clark.
IR: Jimmy Rolder.
My thoughts: The Lions have a number of rosterable vets with special teams ability battling for backup linebacker jobs. Clark missed practice most of last week with an injury, but I gave him the sixth and final spot for now because of the role he had on special teams early in camp. Troy Reader and Joe Bachie (Michigan State) could just as easily take his job or play their way in as a seventh linebacker, though Rolder will be back at some point this year. Erick Hunter has fans in the organization as an undrafted rookie and is a strong candidate for practice squad.
Defensive back (11)
In: D.J. Reed, Rock Ya-Sin, Nick Whiteside, Ennis Rakestraw, Roger McCreary, Khalil Dorsey, Keith Abney, Chuck Clark, Thomas Harper, Christian Izien, Avonte Maddox.
PUP: Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch.
My thoughts: Reed and Ya-Sin have ascended to the top of the cornerback room, but the Lions are still sorting through the pecking order of their backups. Whiteside has played his way into the top backup role, but there’s still time for Rakestraw to close the gap. McCreary’s had an up and down camp, but Dan Campbell said he “did some things at corner” against the Bengals. Dan Jackson and Loren Strickland probably need to play their way on the roster on special teams with Joseph and Branch expected back at some point in the first half of the season.
Special teams (3)
In: Jake Bates, Jack Fox, Hogan Hatten.
My thoughts: With only three specialists in camp, this one’s a lock.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dave Birkett’s Lions 53-man roster prediction: Who makes the cut?
Reporting by Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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