There are still several more weeks of OTAs, mandatory minicamp and then training camp coming up for the Detroit Lions. That’s a lot of time for the bottom of the eventual 53-man roster for the regular season to form.
The Lions don’t have a lot of drama with the top 40 or so players. Nearly every starting spot is firmly secured already, and the reserves are set across many positions too. But there is room for a summer superstar to seize a spot or impressive growth from a lower-regarded reserve to make a move up the depth chart.
We tackled projecting the offensive side of the ball. Now it’s time to look at what Detroit’s 53-man roster could look like for Week 1 on defense and special teams.
Defensive tackle – 4
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Alim McNeill (54) during the 2024 uniform media day in New Hudson, MI on March 7, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Starters: Alim McNeill, DJ Reader
Reserves: Mekhi Wingo, Brodric Martin
McNeill and newcomer Reader are the unquestioned starters, but the depth after them is definitely up for grabs. It’s hard to see the Lions throwing in the towel on 2023 3rd-round pick Brodric Martin or rookie 6th-rounder Wingo, as either would almost certainly get claimed by another team off waivers.
The same is probably true of 2021 second-round pick Levi Onwuzurike, but his lengthy injury history and expiring contract after the 2024 season make him easier to part with. Veteran Kyle Peko chose to sign with the Lions to be with his Titans DL coach, Terrell Williams, and he could make his way onto the roster, too. A UDFA last year, quietly impressive Chris Smith could be the surprise interloper with a big offseason.
Defensive end/EDGE – 6
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during the 2024 uniform media day in New Hudson, MI on March 6, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Starters: Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport
Reserves: Josh Paschal, James Houston, John Cominsky, Mathieu Betts
This position group could be called “Hutch and the question marks”. Hutchinson should threaten Pro Bowl status in his third season, but nothing else here is certain — including who will start across the formation from him. Davenport should be considered the early front-runner for his pedigree and talent, but injuries are always part of the equation with the former first-rounder.
Injuries are also part of the story for Paschal. And Houston. And Cominsky too, though his ability to play inside if needed is a nice roster insurance policy. Houston thrived at the end of his rookie season but played his way down the depth chart last summer before getting injured early in the season. Paschal was a second-round pick in 2022 but has produced just three sacks and seven QB hits in 19 injury-plagued games in two years.
Betts came to Detroit from the CFL, where he racked up 18 sacks in their last season. He doesn’t look all that athletic, but production talks and he’ll get every chance to win a spot. Mitchell Agude and UDFAs Nate Lynn and Isaac Ukwu appear to be battling for the same practice squad spot(s), though nothing is out of the question with this group.
Off-ball LBs – 5
Detroit Lions players celebrate an interception made by linebacker Derrick Barnes (55) against Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024.
Starters: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell
Reserves: Derrick Barnes, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Malcolm Rodriguez
This is the only stable spot on the defense. Anzalone is coming off his best season and is the heartbeat of the defense, while Campbell is expected to take a jump in his second season after an up-and-down rookie campaign. Barnes, Reeves-Maybin and Rodriguez might be the best reserve LB unit in the league, and all can thrive on special teams too. If DC Aaron Glenn opts for more 3-LB looks, Barnes is a worthy starter.
Undrafted rookie Steele Chambers and perhaps fellow UDFA DaRon Gilbert could stick on the practice squad for special teams and developmental depth.
Cornerbacks – 6
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) hugs cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (15) during rookie minicamp at Detroit Lions headquarters and practice facility in Allen Park on Friday, May 10, 2024.
Starters: Terrion Arnold, Carlton Davis, Brian Branch (slot)
Reserves: Ennis Rakestraw, Amik Robertson, Kindle Vildor
If everyone is healthy, the top five spots seem pretty certain in that exact order, with Rakestraw the primary reserve slot. Branch can play any spot in the secondary with the possible exception of outside CB and the versatility makes him extra valuable.
Vildor came back after a rough NFC Championship game, where he was in over his head as a starter. As the sixth CB, Vildor is more than capable. He’ll have to fight off Steven Gilmore, Craig James and Khalil Dorsey, the latter of which offers a lot of special teams potential. The fact the Lions never tried Gilmore on a desperate defense as a rookie despite him making the roster as an undrafted free agent doesn’t engender much confidence that he’ll be back, but the 170-pound Gilmore won’t go down without a fight either.
Safety – 4
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 30: Ifeatu Melifonwu #6 of the Detroit Lions celebrates with Derrick Barnes #55 and Kerby Joseph #31 after intercepting a pass thrown by Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on December 30, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
Starters: Kerby Joseph, Ifeatu Melifonwu
Reserves: CJ Moore, Brandon Joseph
Joseph and Melifonwu have each flashed at times and could be fine. Injuries have been issues for both, however, and they’ve never really played well at the same time. Joseph is an asset in coverage but often a liability as a tackler and in run defense, while Melifonwu is largely the opposite.
Moore is back after a year out due to a gambling suspension but more for his special teams ability. Joseph lived on the practice squad as an undrafted rookie and has the inside track on the last spot, but this is a spot where someone not currently on the roster could seize a spot–perhaps a starting spot. Again, Branch’s versatility could mask some holes here and the Lions might opt to shake things up that way.
Specialists – 3
Junfu Han-USA TODAY Sports
Punter/kickoffs: Jack Fox
Kicker: Michael Badgley
Long snapper: Scott Daly
Fox has earned the right to go unchallenged at punter, and his work on kickoffs makes the placekicker decision almost solely dependent on field goals. Badgley set the Lions postseason record for the longest successful field goal attempt and was perfect in the playoffs, which means it’ll be tough to beat him out. Scott Daly will battle undrafted rookie Hogan Hatten for the long snapper role, which Daly lost in 2023 due to injury.
As for return man? That will certainly help decide the battles at WR, RB and perhaps CB. Give the early nod to Isaiah Williams on punts and Sione Vaki on kickoffs.