The Lions' defensive line is so deep that they're probably going to have to part ways with some fan favorites and recent draft picks to make it work

At the annual league meetings back in April, Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes said the Lions were pretty heavy along the defensive line. Meaning that they had a lot of bodies and a good number of good players. Let's see what it looks like if we list everyone off here: 

• Aidan Hutchinson
• Alim McNeill
• Tyleik Williams
• DJ Reader
• Roy Lopez
• Levi Onwuzurike
• Josh Paschal
• Ahmed Hassanein
• Marcus Davenport
• Mehki Wingo
• Brodric Martin
• Chris Smith
• Raequan Williams
• Pat O'Connor
• Myles Adams
• Isaac Ukwu
• Nate Lynn
• Keith Cooper
• Al-Quadin Muhammad

That's 19 players right there. Last year, when the Lions finalized their 53-man roster after camp, they went into the season with nine defensive linemen. Five edge rushers and four interior guys. 

So when you look at this group of 19 guys, let's say they keep 10 of these players. This is not going to be easy at all. Let's try to make the decisions here. We'll break it down into categories. Let's jump into it. 

The roster locks

Supr easy decisions to make here. We know that Aidan Hutchinson, Tyleik Williams, Roy Lopez, Josh Paschal, Levi Onwuzurike, and Ahmed Hassanein are just about locks to make the roster. 

McNeill would obviously be a lock, too, but he's hurt and he's not expected to be back for some time. So at this point, we're treating him as a lock to be on the PUP list. 

Ok, so if there are 10 spots to fill, we just filled six of them. 

The guys who are probably making it

DJ Reader might be getting up there in age at 31 years old, and some think he didn't play up to the status that we've seen him play up to in the past. I'm not really one of those guys. But I can see how you could think the Lions might want to go younger. The problem is that his contract doesn't really allow the Lions to get out scot-free, and that's likely to keep him around. 

The other guy is Mekhi Wingo. I feel pretty good about Wingo's chances of making the roster because of the versatility he brings to the table. I can't guarantee it just yet, though. I feel really good about it, but would I bet my house on it? I don't know. 

Speaking of not being able to guarantee something, if Marcus Davenport is healthy, you can pretty much guarantee he makes the roster. What can't be guaranteed is that he actually stays healthy. 

That brings us to nine right there. That's the number from last year. Now, imagine if Za'Darius Smith comes back. Well, that'll make things a little more interesting, won't it?

Who's the 10th guy? 

When I look at every single one of these players and you tell me that I have to pick one of them to be the 10th guy, it's hard not to go with Pat O'Connor. He just made such an impact as a relief guy in the middle last year, and he brings special-teams ability to the table. That's what gets you the spots when you're the 10th guy. 

The hard cuts

Right off the bat, the Lions are probably going to have to part ways with Brodric Martin unless he shocks everyone and has a camp for the ages. Maybe he sticks around as a practice squad guy that they just don't want to give up on yet. 

Lions fans love Al-Quadin Muhammad, but man, it's hard to see that working out with the guys ahead of him. I just couldn't come up with a good enough reason as to why they'd keep him over any of the 10 players staying. Maybe he's a practice squad guy too. 

The rest of the group

That leaves Nate Lynn, Keith Cooper, Myles Adams, Raequan Williams, and Chris Smith. 

Keep an eye on Lynn and Cooper. These are the guys who might shock everyone and find a spot on the 53-man roster somehow.