We made it to the initial Detroit Lions 53-man roster. After the official transactions from the Lions got processed through, the team technically only has 52 players on it. That’s one of a handful of unexpected developments from Detroit here.
That will get remedied in the coming hours. In the meantime, here is the initial Lions roster after the cutdown deadline.
Quarterbacks – 2
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) practices next to quarterback Jared Goff (16) during OTAs at Detroit Lions headquarters and training facility in Allen Park on Thursday, May 30, 2024.
Starter: Jared Goff
Reserves: Hendon Hooker
Perhaps the biggest surprise in the entire roster creation process for the Lions was Detroit releasing Nate Sudfeld. It shows confidence in Hendon Hooker after a generally promising but sometimes troubling training camp and preseason performance.
Running backs – 4
(L to R) Detroit Lions running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery talk while heading off the practice field at the Detroit Lions practice facility in Allen Park on Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Starters: David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs
Reserves: Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki
This was one of the easiest positions to project, especially once fourth-round rookie Vaki proved he was poised to be useful right away on special teams.
Wide receivers – 4
Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) celebrates the win against the Minnesota Vikings after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. With the win the Detroit Lions clinched the NFC North. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Starters: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams
Reserves: Kalif Raymond, Isaiah Williams
Isaiah Williams making it as the fourth wideout is great for the nifty undrafted rookie from Illinois. Alas, it spotlights just how unproven the group is outside of All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown. Both Jameson Williams and Raymond are higher on the Lions depth chart than ever before.
Tight ends – 3
Nov 23, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (87) celebrates his touchdown against the Green Bay Packers with teammate tight end Brock Wright (89) in the first quarter during the annual Thanksgiving Day game at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports
Starter: Sam LaPorta
Reserves: Brock Wright, Parker Hesse
The top two were set in stone since the Lions matched the restricted free agent offer for Wright last spring. The third TE was one of the biggest battles of the summer.
Hesse won that battle by being the most well-rounded of the combatants. His ability to play fullback likely played a role here, something James Mitchell and Shane Zylstra just didn’t offer.
Offensive line – 10
Frank Ragnow and Kevin Zeitler walk off the field together during day two of the Detroit Lions training camp at the Detroit Lions Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich. on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
Starters (L-R): Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, Frank Ragnow, Kevin Zeitler, Penei Sewell
Reserves: Colby Sorsdal, Kayode Awosika, Giovanni Manu, Dan Skipper, Michael Niese
NFI: Christian Mahogany
The Lions did indeed keep 10 linemen, a hotly debated concept. Michael Niese being the 10th instead of undrafted rookie Kingsley Eguakun is a mild surprise.
With sixth-round rookie Mahogany out for the first four weeks, expect some changes here down the line.
EDGE – 5
Defensive Lineman Issac Ukwu, Levi Onwuzurike, LB Mitchell Agude, Marcus Davenport and Aidan Hutchinson walk off the field during day two of the Detroit Lions training camp at the Detroit Lions Headquarters in Dearborn, Mich. on Thursday, July 25, 2024.
Starters: Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport
Reserves: Josh Paschal, James Houston, John Cominsky
Another spot that figures to change quickly, as John Cominsky is out for months with a knee injury. He will hit I.R. shortly, cresting an opening.
Undrafted Isaac Ukwu figures to get that spot, presuming he clears waivers. Ukwu received a lot of compliments from Dan Campbell late in camp.
Cutting preseason tackle leader Mitchell Agude was something of a surprise, as he was also being groomed as the backup SAM behind Derrick Barnes. Agude should be back on the practice squad if he’s not claimed on waivers. He’d been a more consistent pass-rush threat throughout training camp than either Houston or Ukwu, though Agude cooled off once he started playing more SAM.
Defensive interior – 4
Detroit Lions defensive end Levi Onwuzurike (91) practices during mini camp at Detroit Lions headquarters and practice facility in Allen Park on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
Starters: Alim McNeill, DJ Reader
Reserves: Levi Onwuzurike, Mekhi Wingo,
To IR: Brodric Martin
Going with just four here after losing Martin to I.R. is interesting. Veteran Kyle Peko was on every single projection to make the 53, and with only 52 on the initial list it’s a curious omission. That’s especially true with Reader still uncertain for Week 1 as he returns from the PUP list.
Off-ball LBs – 6
Detroit Lions linebackers Alex Anzalone (34) and Derrick Barnes (55) walk off the field after training camp in Allen Park, Tuesday, July 25, 2023.
Starters: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell
Reserves: Derrick Barnes, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Malcolm Rodriguez, Ben Niemann
Niemann played his way into the sixth spot with an active camp and special teams prowess. The first five are all returning Lions and represent one of the NFL’s deepest groups.
Veteran Ty Summers played his way onto the practice squad, and it could very well be that the Lions also keep Abraham Beauplan on the practice squad
Cornerbacks – 6
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (0) walks off the field after practice during OTAs at Detroit Lions headquarters and training facility in Allen Park on Thursday, May 30, 2024.
Starters: Terrion Arnold, Carlton Davis
Reserves: Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw, Kindle Vildor, Khalil Dorsey
To IR: Emmanuel Moseley
The only drama was if the Lions would keep Vildor or Dorsey. They kept both, and deservingly so.
Detroit placed Moseley on I.R. before cutdowns, making him one of the two players who fit the new rule and will be eligible to come back during the season. Previously, anyone placed on I.R. prior to the roster deadline was out for the season.
Safeties – 5
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 16: Brian Branch #32 of the Detroit Lions reacts after a defensive stop during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Ford Field on December 16, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Starters: Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph
Reserves: Brandon Joseph, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Loren Strickland
The first four names here have been the depth chart all offseason.
Keeping the undrafted rookie Strickland could be a nod to Melifonwu and his current injured status. Strickland parlayed an increasingly impressive camp into a roster spot.
Specialists – 3
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates works on making field goals during practice at the Detroit Lions training facility in Allen Park on Wednesday, August 14, 2024.
Kicker: Jake Bates
Punter: Jack Fox
Long snapper: Hogan Hatten
Hogan Hatten won the long snapper job over veteran Scott Daly. The undrafted rookie from Idaho can also play linebacker in a pinch.