Unfortunately not everyone is going to make the Detroit Lions 53-man roster. It would cool if the roster was bigger and allowed for more players, but that’s not the case. That doesn’t mean the Lions are done with these players though. They can still put them on their 17-man practice squad.
Today we’re going to predict who those 17 guys are going to be for the Lions. A note first. The 17th spot has to go to an international pathways player. Ok, let’s jump into it.
- S Loren Strickland: The violent nature in which he makes hits is what is going to help him get onto the practice squad. Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn love violence.
- C Kinglsely Eguakun: Potentially a guy that could be the future center for this team. The Lions are going to make sure they hold onto him.
- T Dan Skipper: Just because Skipper didn’t make the team, that doesn’t meant the Lions won’t look to keep him and then elevate him when needed.
- WR Daurice Fountain: This guy has been making some plays during OTAs and minicamp. You see him flying through the air quite a bit in the highlight videos. He can go up and get it. But Kaden Davis has been making more plays.
- WR Tom Kennedy: He’s just a part of this team. There’s no getting around it. Tom Kennedy works here.
- CB Kindle Vildor: There’s a finite amount of spots on the roster right now, Vildor would maybe get one if there were more room, but there’s not. Still, he’s a guy worth having around.
- CB Morice Norris: A guy that has a lot of versatility. He can play inside and outside and even safety. That’s worth hanging onto.
- RB: Zonovan Knight: I still think he makes a strong challenge for that fourth running back spot and has a chance to beat out Craig Reynolds. For now he’s here.
- QB Nate Sudfeld: It’s good to have a solid football mind on the roster to help with Hendon Hooker’s development.
- LB Mitchell Agude: He’s another guy that’s flying under the radar and has an outside chance to make the roster as a pass rusher.
- LB Steele Chambers: Solid potential, but he’s just in such a crowded room right now. Still, he’s worth keeping in case an injury pops up. He can get his chance to show out then.
- WR Isaiah Williams: He’s been really showing what he can do out there. Especially in the YAC game. The Lions are going to want to hold on to him. They might want to protect him in some way too. He’s the type of guy that could get poached.
- K Michael Badgley: We’ve got Turner making the roster over Badgley, but the Lions will still look to keep Badgley around.
- LS: Hogan Hatten: It’s Stott Daly’s job to lose, but with him suffering an injury last year, the Lions were probably glad they kept Jake McQuaide on the practice squad. They’ll keep a long snapper again this year.
- OL Connor Galvin: He played so well during the preseason last year. I’m willing to bet he has another good showing this year. It’s a crowed room to get into on the 53-man roster, but he’ll have spot here and could see some elevations.
- G Kayode Awosika: Started some games for the Lions last year and played pretty well in some of them. The Lions will look to keep him. He also could see elevations and could be a first priority if any of the guards go to IR.
- S Ayo Oyelola: Here’s your international pathways player. The Lions did give him a tryout during rookie minicamp, but did not sign him. He could get his shot at camp since the team gets an exemption for IPP guys during camp and they don’t count against the 90-man roster. Oyelola has multiple years of experience with new Lions’ defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend.
This article was originally published by Yardbarker.com. Read the original article here.