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.
Injuries are bound to happen, unfortunately. That will undoubtedly force some unexpected changes to this list, but for now, if everyone stays healthy, this is how we see the offense playing out for the final 53-man Lions roster. Defense and special teams will follow.
Quarterbacks – 3
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during the 2024 uniform media day in New Hudson, MI on March 6, 2024. (Detroit Lions)
Starter: Jared Goff
Reserves: Hendon Hooker, Nate Sudfeld
The only real question here is whether or not the Lions keep Sudfeld as the No. 3 QB or cut him and then add the veteran back on the practice squad. I think the manner in which the Lions brought Sudfeld back despite his poor performance last summer and subsequent injury indicates he’ll be on the 53.
Running backs – 4
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Starters: David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs
Reserves: Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki
Some games might have Montgomery starting, others will have Gibbs in the starting lineup. We might even see them together.
Reynolds and Vaki are similar types of RBs as the reserves, and that does leave an opening for someone like Zonovan Knight, Jermar Jefferson or an outsider to take Reynolds’ spot with a strong summer. Vaki, a fourth-round rookie, appears firmly ensconced as a special teams ace already.
Wide receivers – 6
Detroit Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrates a touchdown against the Chicago Bears at the end of the first half at Ford Field on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023
Starters: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams
Reserves: Kalif Raymond, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Isaiah Williams, Antoine Green
The top four here are pretty well established and in a definite pecking order. The final spot (or two) is going to be one of the biggest competitions this summer in Detroit. Undrafted rookie Williams could seize the return specialist role and also serve as St. Brown’s backup in the slot, and that’s the most likely outcome amongst the reserves.
Green, a seventh-round pick in 2023, will have to earn a spot over several combatants including veterans Tom Kennedy and Tre’Quan Smith.
Tight ends – 3
(Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Starter: Sam LaPorta
Reserves: Brock Wright, James Mitchell
LaPorta is coming off an amazing rookie campaign and Wright was valuable enough for the Lions to match a lucrative free agency offer to keep him. After the top two, there should be competition. Mitchell hasn’t cemented himself in two seasons, with Shane Zylstra and newcomers Sean McKeon and Parker Hesse fighting for spots that will be as much about special teams as playing TE.
Offensive line – 9
(Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
Starters (L-R): Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, Frank Ragnow, Kevin Zeitler, Penei Sewell
Reserves: Colby Sorsdal, Christian Mahogany, Gio Manu, Dan Skipper
The depth here is very unproven beyond Skipper, who is frequently deployed as an extra tackle more than as an actual fill-in lineman. If Manu proves ready for that role as a rookie, Skipper could be vulnerable to being cut in favor of someone like Netani Muti or Michael Niese.
It appears Sorsdal is moving back to the tackle spot he played in college, with sixth-round pick Mahogany taking over the top interior reserve spot.
Expect the Lions to carry more OL on the practice squad than is typically done unless they squeeze a 10th lineman (perhaps UDFA Kingsley Eguakun) in place of a sixth WR onto the 53-man roster.