Quarterback (3)
In: Jared Goff, Hendon Hooker, Nate Sudfeld
Out: Jake Fromm
The Lions keeping three quarterbacks has been talked about a ton all offseason and now it seems like that is exactly what’s going to happen. While Hooker has played well during the preseason, the Lions still seem to feel that he’s not ready to be QB2 yet and they like that Sudfeld has experience.
Running Back (4)
In: Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Sione Vaki, Jermar Jefferson
Out: Zonovan Knight, Jake Funk, Craig Reynolds
I went back and forth on this one for a long time and I’m totally ready to be wrong about it if it goes other way. The Lions like their running backs, but carrying three quarterbacks and carrying some extra guys in other places just make it really hard to have five running backs. Someone has to be the man out and I feel like the the thing that makes the most sense is that the oldest guy is that man while Vaki and Jefferson, who Dan Campbell has raved about, are the ones to stay.
Receivers (4)
In: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, Isaiah Williams
Out: Kaden Daivs, Daurice Fountian, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tre’Quan Smith, Jalon Calhoun, Tom Kennedy, Maurice Alexander
It’s really simple. Beyond the three guys you’re sure about, none of these other receivers have really earned a spot. We fully expect the Lions to add a receiver ahead of the season and that could be via trade, waiver claim or signing a free agent.
Isaiah Williams could sneak in, the problem is that where do you play him? He can’t be in the slot because St. Brown is there and Raymond usually plays there a lot. You can have him as the return man because that’s Raymond’s job. He can’t play X because he’s too small. You can keep him, but what do you do with him? Despite that, I gave him a spot. Not 100% sure the Lions will though.
Tight ends (4)
In: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra, Parker Hesse
Out: James Mitchell, Sean Mckeon
It saddens me to move on from James Mitchell, but Parker Hesse brings more to the game and you can’t ignore that. He’s a better blocker, can play fullback , special teams and you can put him on defense in a pinch.
Offensive line (9)
In: Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, Frank Ragnow, Kevin Zeitler, Penei Sewell, Giovanni Manu, Christian Mahogany, Kayode Awosika, Dan Skipper
Out: Colby Sorsdal, Connor Galvin, Kingsley Eguakun, Michael Niese, Netane Muti, Duke Clemmens, Bryan Hudson, Jake Barton, Jamarco Jones
This is another one that is way up in the air. I initially chose Niese because I’ve seen him working with the first team a lot lately and the Lions have been trying him in different spots like center, but he didn’t look too good against the Steelers, so I chose Awosika. Kinglsey Eguakun is the other guy to watch here. He has an outside shot.
I cut Colby Sorsdal because it has been a really hard summer for him. Going back to tackle has not improved his game. Saturday was another example of that.
Defensive line (10)
In: Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeil, DJ Reader, Marcus Davenport, Mehki Wingo, Levi Onwuzrukie, Brodric Martin, Josh Paschal, Isaac Ukwu, Kyle Peko
Out: Mitchell Agude, Mathieu Betts, John Cominsky, Nate Lynn, Chris Smith, David Bada, Pat O’Connor, James Houston
The spot with the most players on it. James Houston has had a bad summer. I know fans love him, but it’s very hard to find a spot for him. Especially after he essentially got demoted recently when the team finally gave up trying to make him a SAM linebacker.
The battle for a final spot is down to Isaac Ukwu and Mitchell Agude. I went with Ukwu because he’s recently received a lot of praise from Campbell. Plus Ukwu has just played really well.
Fans aren’t going to like that Mathieu Betts isn’t on the roster, but he has struggled to make that transition from the CFL to the NFL. still, he could be a practice squad guy.
Linebacker (5)
In: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Ben Niemann
Out: DaRon Gilbert, Malcolm Rodriguez, Malik Jefferson, Abraham Beauplan, Ty Summers, Joel Iyiegbuniwe
At the end of the day you have to make decisions based off of who you think can help the team the most and not who you like. I like Malcolm Rodriguez and I think he’s a good player, but at the end of the day he’s last on the depth chart and I had to go with Ben Niemann over him because Niemann is a better special teams player and has had a great camp and preseason. With Hesse holding down the fullback spot, that cancels out another route for Rodriguez. It’s hard, but it might be what’s best for the team.
Cornerback (6)
In: Carlton Davis, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw, Kindle Vildor, Khalil Dorsey,
Out: Morice Norris, Emmanuel Moseley, Steven Gilmore, Essang Bassey, Javelin Guidry
Absolutely no second thoughts here. Everyone that’s on in has earned that spot and will be great contributors to the Lions new and improved cornerback room.
Safety (5)
In: Brian Branch, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Kerby Joseph, Brandon Joseph, Loren Strickland
Out: Chelan Garnes, C.J. Moore
Hearing the way Dan Campbell talked about Loren Strickland last week guided me towards thinking that he has to make this roster as the team’s fifth safety. Really it’s the special teams aspect. He’s going to hit a guy. Maybe that guy has the ball in his hands too. Either way, there will be violence and Dan Campbell loves violence.
Special teams (3)
In: Jake Bates, Jack Fox, Hogan Hatten
Out: Michael Badgley, Scott Daly
The Lions have talked a lot about guys that can do more than one thing and how much important that value is to them. That’s why Hatten gets the job. He can long snap and get down to the ball carrier and then he can play linebacker if need be. That’s value.