There is only two weeks standing between fans and the start of the 2024 regular season after the Detroit Lions finished off their preseason schedule on Saturday with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But before that game will take place, the Lions must trim their offseason roster down to 53 players. The deadline to do that falls on Tuesday, Aug. 27, but we could very well see moves made in the days leading up to then.
Last week, head coach Dan Campbell acknowledged the difference the team is seeing when it comes to making roster cuts now as opposed to a few years ago when the team didn't have as much talent.
"So now, here we are, you feel like you’ve tied down most of these spots," he said. "We’re gonna have to let go of some good players I think, ultimately, that I think can play in this league at some point at different positions. That’s a hard thing to do. But it also shows where our roster is at to this point. It’s grown a ton. Brad’s done a hell of a job.”
After watching everything from organized team activities, to training camp, to the preseason, we have a better idea of where players stand. Knowing that, here's our best (and last) guess for what the Lions' initial 53-man roster will look like.
Detroit Lions 53-man roster prediction
Quarterbacks (3)
Jared Goff, Nate Sudfeld, Hendon Hooker
Ahead of the preseason finale, head coach Dan Campbell revealed that Sudfeld had the "upper hand" in the competition with Hooker. After the up-and-down showing from Hooker in preseason Week 3, and combined with the fact that Sudfeld didn't play at all, the veteran will likely get the nod as the QB2 to start the season.
Running backs (4)
David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki
This is how we figured things would go at the start of the offseason and nothing has changed since. It'll be interesting to see if Vaki has done enough to earn his way up the depth chart, but Reynolds will likely start as the RB3.
Wide receivers (5)
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Isaiah Williams
I get that Williams is yet another slot receiver on the roster, but he was far and away the team's best player when it comes to depth options at the position. DPJ gets his spot by default rather than truly earning it after a disappointing showing during the offseason. It would be the least surprising thing ever if the Lions add more help to this group.
Tight ends (3)
Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra
James Mitchell did zero to help his cause this offseason and that leads to him getting cut. It wouldn't shock me to see Parker Hesse grab the fourth spot if the Lions carry that many, but this is what we have for now.
Offensive linemen (9)
Taylor Decker, Kevin Zeitler, Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow, Penei Sewell, Dan Skipper, Jamarco Jones, Colby Sorsdal, Giovanni Manu
Sixth-round pick Christian Mahogany has missed a ton of time this offseason due to an illness and remains on the NFI list as he slowly works his way back. I think he starts the season there and opens up a spot for Jamarco Jones to make the cut.
Interior defensive linemen (6)
Alim McNeill, DJ Reader, Levi Onwuzurike, Kyle Peko, Brodric Martin, Mekhi Wingo
Martin suffered an injury during the preseason finale that Campbell described as a "hyperextension" but didn't give a timetable for his return, so that's something to keep an eye on. Wingo gets the benefit of the doubt after a mostly quiet offseason.
Edge rushers (5)
Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Josh Paschal, James Houston, Isaac Ukwu
Ukwu has been one of the bigger standouts on defense throughout the preseason, totaling one sack in each game. He has also earned praise from Campbell on multiple occasions. Houston barely earns his way onto the roster.
Linebackers (5)
Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin
One of the most solid position groups on the roster, this is exactly how we expected things to go at linebacker entering the offseason.
Cornerback (6)
Carlton Davis, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw, Khalil Dorsey, Kindle Vildor
Dorsey and Vildor are the most likely players to occupy the final two spots at cornerback. The Lions will hope to get Emmanuel Moseley (pectoral) back at some point later in the season.
Safeties (4)
Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Brandon Joseph
Melifonwu's status is up in the air after Campbell offered an uncertain injury update on Saturday. That could open the door for C.J. Moore, although it's certainly possible the Lions keep him regardless.
Specialists (3)
Jake Bates, Jack Fox, Scott Daly
Bates gave us a reminder that the Lions need an insurance policy on the practice squad after he missed a 30-yard field goal on Saturday and nearly missed a 46-yarder later in the game. He'll make the cut, though.
