Lions 53-man Roster Projection Ahead of Preseason Finale

Quarterback (2): Jared Goff, Josh Dobbs

Cut: Luke Altmyer

Altmyer has shown promise in the preseason and could force the Lions to keep three quarterbacks. However, I don’t see it happening, as Detroit would be wise to pick the experience of Dobbs over Altmyer. Obviously, Jared Goff is the starter.

Running Back (4): Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki, Jacob Saylors

Cut: Jabari Small, Traveyon Williams

Injured: Raheem Blackshear

Gibbs and Pacheco are roster locks, and though he’s dealt with injuries throughout camp, I also have Vaki making it because of his special teams ability. Saylors has been one of the biggest risers of the preseason and should squeak onto the roster as the No. 4 running back.

Wide Receiver (6): Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch, Dominic Lovett, Tay Martin

Cut: Tom Kennedy, Malik Cunningham, Tarik Black, Lucky Jackson

Injured: Cedrick Wilson Jr.

The first four spots in the receiver room are locked with St-Brown, Williams, TeSlaa, and Dortch. I also have Dominic Lovett making it, especially after Wilson’s knee injury, which landed him on injured reserve.

Martin could be a special teams weapon for the Lions and has drawn praise from Campbell for his play in the preseason. Detroit should keep him around to round out the receiver group.

Tight End (4): Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Tyler Conklin, Jackson Meeks

Cut: Zach Horton, Thomas Gordon

The duo of LaPorta and Wright are back for another year, and Conklin should also make the team. Meeks stood out in the Lions’ preseason win over the Washington Commanders this past weekend, and it would be wise for Detroit to keep him for special teams purposes.

Offensive Line (9): Penei Sewell, Christian Mahogany, Juice Scruggs, Tate Ratledge, Blake Miller, Larry Borom, Miles Frazier, Seth McLaughlin, Melvin Priestly

Cut: Colby Sorsdal, Michael Niese, Devin Cochran, Mason Miller, Gus Hartwig

Injured: Cade Mays, Giovanni Manu

Some changes here since Cade Mays could start the year on injured reserve with a wrist injury. McLaughlin and Priestly get added for depth.

Defensive Line (10): Aidan Hutchinson, Derrick Moore, D.J. Wonnum, Alim McNeill, Tyliek Williams, Mekhi Wingo, Ahmed Hassanien, Eric O’Neill, Tyler Lacy, Levi Onwuzurike

Cut: Anthony Lucas, Chris Smith, Tyre West, Myles Adams, Skyler Gill-Howard

O’Neill has had a fantastic camp and preseason and is pushing for a roster spot. Onwuzurike got off to a rough start, but has rebounded in recent weeks to earn his position back.

Linebacker (4): Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Devin White, Trevor Nowaske

Cut: Erick Hunter, Troy Reeder, Joe Bachie, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Damone Clark

Injured: Jimmy Rolder

White signed just a few weeks ago and is already a pivotal piece of the defense. I have Nowaske making it for now, but once Rolder returns, we could see some shuffling in the position group.

Cornerback (7): D.J. Reed, Rock Ya-Sin, Christian Izien, Keith Abney II, Roger McCreary, Nick Whiteside, Khalil Dorsey

Cut: Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Aamaris Brown, Ryan Cooper Jr., Ekow Boye-Doe

It feels like Rakestraw’s days with Detroit are numbered. The 2024 second-round pick has had a disappointing camp and was a clear liability in the first two preseason games.

On the other hand, McCreary’s stock has risen in recent weeks, and he’s close to wrapping up a spot.

Safety (4):, Avonte Maddox, Chuck Clark, Thomas Harper, Dan Jackson

Cut: Jason Taylor II

Injured: Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch

Not much changed here. We’re still waiting on Joseph and Branch to return, but for now, Maddox and Clark are the projected starters. Harper and Jackson should be adequate depth.

Specialists (3): Kicker Jake Bates, punter Jack Fox, long snapper Hogan Hatten