The 2025 NFL Draft is in the books, and we now know what the Detroit Lions' 90-man roster looks like. With that in mind, we're going to make our first 53-man projection for the 2025 season. Here we go:
**Rookies
Quarterback (2)
IN: Jared Goff, Kyle Allen
OUT: Hendon Hooker, Jake Fromm
The skinny: At the end of the day, I have to go with what I know right now, and what I know is that Kyle Allen has been an NFL starter before and is going to be the biggest competition Hooker's ever faced in the NFL. I have to go with the experience here because the Lions showed that's what they want when they brought Teddy Bridgewater out of retirement. This could very well change
Running back (4)
IN: Jahymr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Sione Vaki
OUT: Craig Reynolds, Anthony Tyus**, Kye Robichaux**
The Skinny: Only one change here.. The Lions are going to roll with almost the same group they had last year. Reynolds is the only odd man out, and the reason is that after I finished this entire roster, I couldn't find a reason to cut anyone else. Reynolds would be kept on the practice squad I'm sure.
Wide Receiver (6)
IN: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa**, Tim Patrick, Kalif Raymond, Jackson Meeks**
OUT: Ronnie Bell, Antoine Green, Tom Kennedy, Dominic Lovett**, Jakobie Keeny-James**
The Skinny: TeSlaa should be expected to supplant Tim Patrick as the team's WR3 and X receiver. That doesn't mean Patrick is going anywhere. He's the new WR4.5. He'll share that with Raymond. Meeks is a very intriguing player who could shock everyone by making it. I love Lovett, but the practice squad is where he should be for a minute.
Tight End (3)
IN: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Kenny Yeboah
Out: Shane Zylstra, Caden Prieskorn** Zach Horton**
The Skinny: A slight change here. Ultimately, I think the Lions might feel better with an extra blocking tight end, and that's why Yeboah gets in ahead of Zylstra.
Offensive Line (9)
IN: Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, Frank Ragnow, Christian, Mahogany, Tate Ratledge** Penei Sewell, Giovanni Manu, Dan Skipper, Miles Frazier**
OUT: Kayode Awosika, Colby Sorsdal, Jamarco Jones, Netane Muti, Kinglsy Eguakun, Michael Niese, Mason Miller**, Leif Fautanu**
The Skinny: The Lions' offensive line is built for the future, and that means they just don't have much room for a lot of guys they may have previously liked anymore. There are still practice squad spots for guys like Awosika and Eguakun to be held.
Defensive Line (10)
IN: Aidan Hutchinson, DJ Reader, Josh Pascal, Mekhi Wingo, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Levi Onwuzurike, Roy Lopez, Tyleik Williams**, Ahmed Hassanien** Pat O'Connor
OUT: Alim McNeill (PUP list), Brodric Martin, Myles Adams, Marcus Davenport, Pat O'Connor, Chris Smith, Isaac Ukwu, Nate Lynn, Keith Cooper Jr.**
The Skinny: Maybe I'm crazy, maybe the whole beat is crazy, but I think Hassanein is starting Week 1 opposite Aidan Hutchinson, and he and the usually healthy Al-Quadin Muhaamed are likely to push Davenport out. That, I'm predicting an injury during camp could hurt Davenport's chances.
McNeill is out simply because he's likley to be on the PUP list to start the season. That doesn't mean he's not making the team.
Linebacker (6)
IN: Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Jack Campbell, Malcolm Rodriguez, Grant Stuard, Trevor Nowaske
OUT: Mitchell Agude, Abraham Beauplan, DaRon Gilbert, Anthony Pittman, Ezekiel Turner
The Skinny: The big add here is Grant Stuard, other than that, this is pretty much the same group and there's nothing wrong with that.
Cornerback (6)
IN: D.J. Reed, Terrion Arnold, Ennis Rakestraw, Amik Robertson, Rock Ya-Sin, Khalil Dorsey
OUT: Stantley Thomas-Oliver, Gavin Holmes**
The Skinny: The Lions upgraded their cornerback room last year and then upgraded again with a better CB1 and better depth. A healthy Rakestraw is going to make a big difference.
Safety (5)
IN: Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, Avonte Maddox, Dan Jackson**, Morice Norris
OUT: Erik Hallet, Loren Strickland, Ian Kennelly**
The Skinny: I put Avonte Maddox in the safety section because that's what he primarily did for the Eagles and I think he fits really well there for the Lions. Going with Dan Jackson over Loren strickland, but Strickladn should definitely be on the practice squad.
Special Teams (3)
IN: Jake Bates, Jack Fox, Hogan Hatten
Out:
The Skinny: Nothing changing here at all
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