The Detroit Lions are set to hold their mandatory minicamp over the next three days, with the first session coming on Tuesday. Following mandatory minicamp, the Lions will hold three more sessions (June 10-12) of organized team activities before the break ahead of training camp next month.
While there's still plenty of time this offseason, mandatory minicamp is yet another big opportunity along the way for players on the roster bubble to prove themselves, and it will also be our first look at the entire team together on the practice field, with the exception of those players who are rehabbing injuries.
Before we get into what is another crucial part of the offseason, we're taking our latest crack at a 53-man roster projection for the Lions. Players in bold are draft picks, while those in italics are undrafted free agents.
MORE: Takeaways from Lions minicamp
Lions 53-man roster projection
Quarterback (2)
Starter: Jared Goff
Backup: Hendon Hooker
Analysis: Not much to discuss here. Goff is the entrenched starter after receiving a well-deserved contract extension. Hooker is competing against Nate Sudfeld for the backup job, and we expect him to win it. There's a chance Sudfeld makes the initial 53-man roster if the Lions don't see enough progress from Hooker, though.
Running back (4)
Starters: Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery
Backups: Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki
Analysis: While Gibbs is expected to see more work in 2024, Montgomery is still going to be very involved in this offense, which will keep it a 1A-1B situation. We won't rule out Zonovan Knight grabbing one of the backup spots but Reynolds and Vaki get the nod for now.
Wide receiver (6):
Starters: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond
Backups: Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tre'Quan Smith, Antoine Green
Analysis: The only change at wide receiver from our last projection is the addition of Antoine Green, who managed to stand out during the most recent open practice of OTAs. He bumps UDFA Isaiah Williams, who is someone to keep an eye on. Smith is probably the most vulnerable of this group.
Tight end (3)
Starter: Sam LaPorta,
Backups: Brock Wright, James Mitchell
Analysis: The Lions have a fantastic top two here in LaPorta and Wright. We had the Lions keeping a fourth in Shane Zylstra in our last projection but we're opting to remove him for an extra offensive lineman (more on that shortly).
Offensive line (10)
Starters: LT Taylor Decker, LG Kevin Zeitler, C Frank Ragnow, RG Graham Glasgow, RT Penei Sewell
Backups: OT Dan Skipper, G/T Colby Sorsdal, OT Giovanni Manu, G Christian Mahogany, G Kayode Awosika
Analysis: The Lions have an elite starting O-line, but the depth is unproven, to say the least, outside of Skipper. As a result, we've added an extra lineman after having nine in our last projection. Sorsdal's versatility gives him the nod.
Interior defensive line (5)
Starters: D.J. Reader, Alim McNeill
Backups: Levi Onwuzurike, Brodric Martin, Mekhi Wingo
Analysis: It's very possible the Lions only carry four here, but with Reader's injury history, they would be wise to carry five. Onwuzurike and Martin will likely be the first ones off the bench, but it's not crazy to think Wingo could carve out a role for himself in Year 1. Of the backups, Onwuzurike is probably the most vulnerable in terms of not making the cut after a disappointing start to his career.
Edge rusher (5)
Starters: Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport
Backups: John Cominsky, Josh Paschal, James Houston
Analysis: A lot of question marks with this group, mostly because of past injury issues, which is why it would be great to see the Lions add another edge rusher in free agency or keep a sixth. Keep an eye on Mathieu Betts and Mitchell Agude if the Lions do the latter.
Linebacker (5)
Starters: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell
Backups: Derrick Barnes, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Malcolm Rodriguez
Analysis: This is one of the strongest position groups. Anzalone is the best in the bunch and both Campbell and Barnes played quality football in 2023, and Barnes would be the third linebacker when the Lions deploy a trio. Rodriguez and Reeves-Maybin are very good special teams players and backups.
Cornerback (6)
Starters: Carlton Davis, Terrion Arnold, Brian Branch (slot)
Backups: Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Emmanuel Moseley
Analysis: This group has the potential to be elite. Davis is a solid No. 1, Arnold has lockdown corner potential, and Branch was great in the slot in his rookie year. Robertson and Rakestraw offer inside/outside versatility, and Moseley should offer a decent backup option. He's the most vulnerable of the group, though, and it wouldn't be surprising to see Kindle Vildor ultimately get that final spot.
Safety (4)
Starters: Kerby Joseph, Ifeatu Melifonwu
Backups: Brandon Joseph, C.J. Moore
Analysis: Moore was re-signed since our last projection, thus he's a new addition to the group. Joseph and Melifonwu are two good starting options, but Detroit does have the cap space to make a significant addition here if they so choose. There are some good starting safeties available still, and the Lions have the money for them.
Specialists (3)
Starters: K Michael Badgley, P Jack Fox, LS Scott Daly
Analysis: Badgley was outperformed by UDFA James Turner during the latest open session of OTAs, but we'll give him the benefit of the doubt for now. Daly also struggled but it'll take much more than one bad day to throw the towel in.
