Detroit Lions Roster Bubble: Who Could Be Let Go?

With just one preseason game left before the regular season, the Detroit Lions are approaching a number of tough decisions.

General manager Brad Holmes has assembled a roster with plenty of depth, which is beneficial in the short term but will no doubt lead to some tough decisions at the conclusion of training camp.

Many of the position battles are taking shape, and with many established veteran starters on the roster, the final spots are growing fewer and further between.

Here's an updated look at the Lions' roster bubble following the conclusion of their third preseason game.

Quarterback

Even though Kyle Allen has clearly been the better of the two quarterbacks competing for the backup job, he hasn't been named the backup behind Jared Goff.

Hendon Hooker has the benefit of being a player the team drafted three years ago, and general manager Brad Holmes may not want to give up on him yet.

Running back

• Craig Reynolds
• Sione Vaki
• Jacob Saylors
• Deon Jackson

Reynolds and Vaki are the two leaders for the final spots at this position behind Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery. However, if Saylors or Jackson shows some special teams ability as well as an aptitude for the offense, there's an avenue for either of them to potentially find a spot. Of Reynolds and Vaki, Reynolds seems more vulnerable due to Vaki's youth and special teams versatility. Both of those players should be safe, but things could change if Saylors or Jackson have a strong finish to camp.

Wide receiver

• Dominic Lovett
• Jackson Meeks
• Tom Kennedy
• Ronnie Bell
• Malik Taylor
• Jakobie Keeney-James

Meeks' performance in preseason games is making things interesting. Even with the Lions drafting two wide receivers, the undrafted wideout out of Syracuse has shown he can make plays when called upon and is deserving of a spot. It remains to be seen if it's enough to usurp someone like Lovett, who was the team's seventh-round pick this year, but there's no question that Meeks is moving in the right direction.

Tight end

• Shane Zylstra
• Zach Horton
• Steven Stilianos
• Gunnar Oakes

Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright seem entrenched as the top two options at this position, but there is a strong competition for the third spot. Ultimately, it appears as though Zylstra holds the upper hand, but Horton does have intriguing versatility as a traditional fullback. Stilianos and Oakes were productive this spring in the UFL, but their late arrivals could make it difficult for them to pick up the offense quick enough to make the roster.

Offensive line

• Kingsley Eguakun
• Trystan Colon
• Jamarco Jones
• Colby Sorsdal
• Michael Niese
• Mason Miller
• Gunner Britton
• Zack Jackson

How many offensive linemen the Lions ultimately choose to carry could define many of the other positions. Though the team traditionally carries just eight active on game day, they had 10 on the active roster for most of the season. With the five starters plus Giovanni Manu and Dan Skipper, there could be between one and three spots available at this position. The amount of depth they have gives them plenty of options.