53-Man Roster Projection After Minicamp: The Rookie QB Battle and Veterans on the Bubble
Mandatory minicamp just wrapped at the Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park and we got some answers. Not all of them. But enough to start sketching out what this roster might actually look like when the season kicks off.
And yes, there are surprises. A rookie quarterback who was not supposed to make it might actually make it. A few veterans you assumed were locks are suddenly on shaky ground. Position battles are forming that were not there a month ago.
Here is what the 53-man roster looks like right now. Six weeks until training camp. Nothing is set in stone. But this is where we are.
Quarterback
In: Jared Goff, Teddy Bridgewater, Luke Altmyer
Out: N/A
Let’s talk about Luke Altmyer. He was supposed to be practice squad material at best. That was the plan. Stash him, let him develop, maybe he becomes something down the line.
And then he showed up to minicamp and looked pretty damn good.
Now the Lions might actually carry three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster. That was not the plan. But Altmyer has earned a longer look. Of course this is minicamp. Pajama party football. No pads, no real pressure. But the kid has made enough plays to make this interesting heading into camp.
Running Back
In: Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki
Out: Jacob Saylors, Kye Robichaux, Jabari Small
The only real question here is whether the Lions carry four running backs and keep Jacob Saylors on the 53, or if they try to sneak him onto the practice squad. Everything else is obvious. Gibbs is the guy. Pacheco is the complement. Vaki is the upside depth piece.
Saylors has shown enough to warrant consideration, but the math gets tight if you start adding bodies here. Expect three running backs unless something changes in camp.
Wide Receiver
In: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch, Jackson Meeks
Out: Tom Kennedy, Malik Cunningham, Dominic Lovett, Cedrick Wilson, Tarik Black, Lucky Jackson, Tay Martin
PUP: Kendrick Law
Jackson Meeks is the wildcard. The Lions have not officially confirmed he is moving to tight end, but it sure looks that way. If he does make the switch, he could be a real X-factor late in the year.
Five receivers feels about right. It was hard to justify six when it meant cutting someone valuable at another position. Tom Kennedy being on the outside looking in is a little surprising given his history with the team, but the depth chart is deeper now and the roster crunch is real.
Tight End
In: Sam LaPorta, Tyler Conklin, Brock Wright
Out: Zach Horton, Thomas Gordon, Miles Kitselman
If the Meeks thing really happens, four tight ends make a lot of sense. Miles Kitselman has a real shot to land on the roster. This tight end battle might be more fun than anyone expected heading into camp.
Offensive Line
In: Penei Sewell, Christian Mahogany, Cade Mays, Tate Ratledge, Blake Miller, Larry Borom, Miles Frazier, Juice Scruggs, Ben Bartch
Out: Giovanni Manu, Melvin Priestly, Colby Sorsdal, Michael Niese, Devin Cochran, Seth McLaughlin
Nine offensive linemen gives the Lions the most flexibility. Bartch and Scruggs can play multiple spots on the interior. Frazier can play tackle. That versatility matters when injuries hit.
Colby Sorsdal has an outside shot at the third tackle spot, but right now the depth chart favors keeping guys who can swing between positions.
Defensive Line
In: Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Tyleik Williams, Derrick Moore, D.J. Wonnum, Ahmed Hassanien, Skyler Gill-Howard, Anthony Lucas, Tyler Lacy
Out: Myles Adams, Levi Onwuzurike, Payton Turner, Chris Smith, Mekhi Wingo, Tyre West, Aidan Keanaaina
Tyler Lacy has been showing up. He is already repping ahead of Levi Onwuzurike. That tells you everything you need to know about where Onwuzurike stands right now.
Skyler Gill-Howard is someone to watch closely in camp. Anthony Lucas is another. There is already buzz around Lucas from coaches, including the quote “How was this guy not drafted?” That kind of talk does not come out of Allen Park for no reason.
The Lions could still use more help on the interior, but this group has more upside than it had a few months ago.
Linebackers
In: Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Jimmy Rolder, Malcolm Rodriguez, Damone Clark, Trevor Nowaske
Out: Erick Hunter, Joe Bachie
Pretty straightforward. Erick Hunter has a shot to make the roster, but he has an uphill climb and right now Trevor Nowaske is ahead of him. Jack Campbell is the anchor. Derrick Barnes is the sidekick. The rest is depth with some rookie intrigue in Jimmy Rolder.
Cornerbacks
In: Terrion Arnold, D.J. Reed, Keith Abney, Roger McCreary, Ennis Rakestraw, Rock Ya-Sin
Out: Khalil Dorsey, Nick Whiteside, De’Shawn Rucker, Aamaris Brown
Khalil Dorsey is the only guy here who is not a lock. He is a really good gunner on special teams, but we never really see him on defense. That matters when roster spots get tight.
Six cornerbacks feels right, but it would not be shocking to see this group expand to seven depending on how camp shakes out.
Safety
In: Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Christian Izien, Chuck Clark, Avonte Maddox, Thomas Harper
Out: Loren Strickland, Dan Jackson
Right now the feeling is that both Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are expected to be there Week 1 and ready to go.
If that happens, this is the deepest spot on the defense. Six safeties with legitimate starting experience or upside. The Lions have not had that kind of depth at this position in years.
Special Teams
In: Jake Bates, Jack Fox, Hogan Hatten
Out: N/A
Nothing changing here. This group is set for the long haul.
