The Detroit Lions second preseason game is in the books. A 24-24 win over the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead after a big Jake Bates walk off 43-yard field goal. As we go into our final week of training camp, the answers as to who could make the team’s 53 man roster are really starting to come into view. Here’s our projection for the roster and depth chart after Week 2 of the preseason:
Quarterback (2)
Starter: Jared Goff
Backup: Hendon Hooker
Out: Nate Sudfeld, Jake Fromm
Hendon Hooker has shown that all the upside lies with him. Sudfeld has shown that he has a lot of struggles to work out still. That’s going to likely net Hooker the QB2 job. The only reason I say likely is because I’m still not ruling out the idea that the team wants to give him more time before they saddle him with this spot. There’s still a chance they could bring in a vet.
Running Back (5)
Starters: Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery
Backups: Sione Vaki, Craig Reynolds, Jermar Jefferson
Out: Zonovan Knight, Jake Funk
Dan Campbell kind of spoiled it last week when he was talking about the Lions’ receivers and said something to the effect of not just giving receivers spots because they’re receivers and the answer might be in the running back spot. The Lions are going to carry five guys this year, but one of them is pulling double duty.
Wide receiver (4)
Starters: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kaden Davis
Backups: Sione Vaki, Kalif Raymond
Out: Isaiah Williams, Daurice Fountian, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Tre’Quan Smith, Jalon Calhoun, Tom Kennedy, Antoine Green, Maurice Alexander
There’s your double duty guy. Vaki was a big presence in the receiving game Saturday and that’s tracking with what’s been going down at camp and Campbell’s comments. Carrying an extra running back makes it hard to carry more receivers, but the hard truth is that most of these guys haven’t impressed enough to earn the spot.
It would still be a shock if the Lions didn’t grab an extra guy in the next two weeks.
Tight ends (4)
Starter: Sam LaPorta
Backups: Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra, Parker Hesse
Out: James Mitchell, Sean Mckeon
Once again I hate to see James Mitchell leave, but it’s just what it is at this point. Parker Hesse has earned the spot and he can also play fullback and block better. Hopefully Mitchell catches on elsewhere.
Offensive line (10)
Starters: Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, Frank Ragnow, Kevin Zeitler, Penei Sewell
Backups: Colby Sorsdal, Giovanni Manu, Christian Mahogany, Michael Niese, Dan Skipper
Out: Connor Galvin, Kingsley Eguakun, Kayode Awosika, Netane Muti, Matt Farniok, Duke Clemmens, Bryan Hudson, Ike Boetgger, Jake Barton, Jamarco Jones
The only change here from last week is that Michael Niese is making it. He’s been working with the first team since Kevin Zietler’s injury and he’s been doing a good job there. It’s going to take some time before Mahogany is ready to roll, so expect Niese to be that guard off the bench.
Defensive line (9)
Starters: Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeil, DJ Reader, Marcus Davenport
Backups: Mehki Wingo, Levi Onwuzrukie, Brodric Martin, Josh Paschal, James Houston
Out: Mitchell Agude, Mathieu Betts, John Cominsky, Nate Lynn, Chris Smith, Kyle Peko, David Bada, Pat O’Connor, Isaac Ukwu
It’s just really hard for me to look past Agude, but the Lions didn’t play James Houston in this game and that feels like a pretty good sign that they view him as a guy that can make the 53-man roster.
Linebacker (5)
Starters: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes
Backups: Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Malcolm Rodriguez
Out: DaRon Gilbert, Ben Niemann, Malik Jefferson, Abraham Beauplan
Ben Niemann had a good game and he can bring some special teams value, but again, this is the one spot on this roster that is fully figured out and it’s hard to see anyone break into a sixth spot here.
Cornerback (6)
Starters: Carlton Davis, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson
Backups: Ennis Rakestraw, Kindle Vildor, Khalil Dorsey,
Out: Morice Norris, Emmanuel Moseley, Steven Gilmore, Essang Bassey, Javelin Guidry
I just can’t say it enough, what an impressive week for Kindle Vildor. He came in with the first team in place of Terrion Arnold, Carlton Davis and Ennis Rakestraw and he balled out in both practices before having an impressive showing against the Chiefs. He’s got a spot on this team. I’m willing to guarantee it. I might even GuaranSheed it.
Safety (5)
Starters: Brian Branch, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Kerby Joseph
Backups: Brandon Joseph, Loren Strickland
Out: Chelan Garnes, C.J. Moore
Hearing the way Dan Campbell talked about Loren Strickland on Monday guided me towards thinking thar 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)
Starters: 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.