Detroit Lions 53-Man Roster Projection

After 3 Preseason Games, Here Is What We Have Come To Realize.

The Lions Have A Loaded Team!

The Preseason has come to a close, with the Detroit Lions finishing 2-1 during exhibition play. Roster cuts are already underway, with all 32 teams required to trim their 90-man offseason depth charts to 53 players by Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 4 p.m. ET.

“It’s tough. Here we are in Year 3 of what Brad and I have done, and so it’s getting that much harder,” Campbell said after Friday night’s game. “We’re going to have to let go of some really good players and that’s tough. It’s tough to do. But it also means that there’s growth and the talent level has gone up, and that’s a good thing for your football team.”

dan Campbell ~ Detroit Lions

Different Than Seasons Past

This preseason was different in that the Lions held joint practices with the Giants & Jaguars, limiting the amount of game snaps for half of the Lions’ drafted rookie class, and the majority of the Lions’ tier 1 starters. One very important measurement of the rookies, UDFA’s, and free agent signings, is now in the hands of GM Brad Holmes & Head Coach Dan Campbell with the help of the player personnel and scouting departments.

The Detroit Lions, are a team with a new identity, and quite possibly the deepest roster they have had in decades. This only adds to the very tough decisions to be made on the final cut day. Let’s take a closer look at the Detroit Lions, and the potential strategies behind the roster moves.

Rookies Impress Early

Brian Branch jumped off the page, and onto the scene with a week 1 highlight hit on Cole Beasley. Branch has been given the “steal of the draft” moniker after impressing all off season and training camp. Starling Thomas has shown his ability against the run, in coverage, and on special teams. With kick returns of 29 & 37 yards, 4 tackles vs the Jaguars, and another solid performance against the Panthers. He has earned a hard look. Steven Gilmore racked up an interception vs the Jags, and another INT vs the Panthers, this time returning it for a touchdown. Chase Lucas defensed 3 passes and racked up an interception vs the Panthers, combined with solid performances all preseason. The Lions have a very deep DB room as cuts will be interesting to say the least.

The Process Behind the Cuts

Trimming the roster is never an easy process. Coaches and team management must assess players’ performance, potential, injuries, and how well they fit into the team’s overall strategy. The Detroit Lions, under their current leadership, have been emphasizing a balanced approach that combines veteran experience, versatility and youthful energy. This approach aims to build for the future while remaining competitive in the present.

The Notable Departures

Every year, there are players who become fan favorites and leave an indelible mark on the team, even if their time with the franchise is short-lived. Jamaal Williams was one of those players that left the Lions during free agency 2023. The Lions’ upcoming roster cuts will surely include some familiar faces departing, which undoubtedly will leave fans with mixed emotions.

Youth Movement and Development

One common strategy during the preseason is to give younger, unproven players a chance to shine. Thos was especially true this season, as the preseason games didnt include the starting offense or defense. The Lions have shown a commitment to developing their draft picks and undrafted free agents, believing that investing in young talent will pay dividends in the long run. While this can lead to a rebuilding phase, the Lions are just simply building. This is an essential step toward fielding a competitive team, and managing the cap for the future.

Cap Space Considerations

Managing the salary cap is a delicate balance for every NFL team. Sometimes, roster cuts are driven by financial considerations as much as on-field performance. Releasing players with significant cap hits can free up resources to sign key free agents, extend contracts of vital players, or accommodate unexpected needs during the season.

For the first time in maybe decades, the Lions are cap flush with almost $20 million in cap space left, and currently do not have any bad contracts on the roster. Unless the Lions were to cut Jared Goff, Taylor Decker, Aidan Hutchinson or Frank Ragnow, there is not one contract that saves this team any amount of cap that makes sense. Needless to say, this seasons roster cuts wont be financially motivated.

The Road Ahead

The roster cuts mark the end of the preseason and the beginning of the regular season, where the Lions’ true mettle will be tested. The decisions made during this time set the tone for the season, but they’re not set in stone. The waiver wire and potential trades offer opportunities to further refine the roster as the season progresses. Based on the performance of the second team and 3rd team offensive line play, the Lions should be very active in searching for a veteran upgrades. We have witnessed yet again this season that both guard and right tackle backups are not capable of holding a pocket or creating running lanes.

Matt Nelson has shown the inability to maintain pass protection, allowing constant pressure on Bridgewater last week versus the Jaguars. Nelson has been a sieve for the offensive line. Building the roster with young talent for the future is key to the success and depth of this roster. Colby Sorsdal & Brad Cecil are not the answer, yet, and adding veterans will help this offense stay relevant should the line suffer injuries again this season.

Fan Reactions and Expectations

Fan reactions to roster cuts are a testament to the deep emotional connection between supporters and their team. While some decisions may be unpopular, it’s crucial to remember that coaches and management have access to a broader perspective, including practice performances and internal evaluations. As fans, we can passionately debate the moves while also trusting that the team’s leadership is striving for continued success and future development.

One player that seems to be on everyone’s mind is James Houston. Houston was tasked with becoming a 3 down linebacker this offseason after bursting onto the scene in 2022 with 8 sacks in 7 games. Primarily a pass rush specialist, Houston had made great strides at becoming a well rounded linebacker. The question is, why has he been getting so much playing time while the starters are rested? Does that mean his job is at risk?

The answer should be an emphatic no! Houston tallied up 6 tackles including 4 TFLS and a sack vs the Jaguars. He then added another 3 tackles, 1 TFL and 1.5 more sacks vs the Panthers. He was relatively quiet versus the Giants while learning a new role and gap assignment strategy. In three games with less than 8 quarters of playing time, Houston racked up 10 tackles, 5 TFLs & 2.5 sacks this preseason while not allowing any major blunders or big plays to happen.

Who’s In / Who’s Out?

QB – (2)+2: Jared Goff, Teddy Bridgewater, Adrian Martinez (Hendon Hooker – NFI)

RB – (3): David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, Craig Reynolds

None of the other options make sense here to keep. The Lions may be active on the waiver wire, or Cabinda may have a shot as he is a special teams guy. Again, hard to filter when you consider other areas have better options like Starling Thomas or Cota over Jermar Jefferson.

WR – (6): St. Brown, Jones, Reynolds, Raymond, Green, Cota ( Williams – SUSP)

With Williams suspended, and the incredible amount of unknown surrounding him. The Lions keep a 6th WR this season, and may even keep a 7th as Williams won’t count for the first 6 weeks against the roster.

TE – (3): LaPorta, Wright, Mitchell

I don’t see the Lions keeping 4 tight ends, as Helm does not make sense over a 6th reciever or 10th linemen.

OL – (10): Sewell, Decker, Jackson, Vaitai, Ragnow, Glasgow, Ilfedi, Cecil, Sorsdal, Awosika

Really had a tough time with the oline here. The Lions usually keep 9, and with the lack of competent backups, keeping an extra may be needed until the waiver wire frees up an option at right tackle and interior linemen positions.

Dline – (5): Buggs, McNeill, Martin, Onwuzurike, Jones

Edge – (5): Hutchinson, Cominsky, Harris, Pashal, R.Okwara

The edge and interior line positions are especially tough this season. Given the Lions will be running more cover 3 and bringing in extra DB’s more often, you could make an argument for keeping less. Cutting Julian Okwara is my surprise cut here.

LB – (6): Anzalone, Rodriguez, Campbell, Barnes, Houston, Maybin

CB – (5): Sutton, Jacobs, Thomas, Gilmore, Lucas (Moseley – Reserve/PUP)

DB – (2): Cj Gardner-Johnson, Brian Branch

S – (3): Joseph, Walker, Smith

With the unknown injury status to Melifonwu and Savion Smith, this was a tough choice, hence the reason for adding a 3rd line (DB) to the mix. The DB room has the most versatility of all position groups. Branch and Gardner-Johnson can play both safety and nickel which allows the cornerback depth to have more options for younger talent. Will Harris didn’t shine this preseason to the extent that keeping him over Gilmore, Thomas or Lucas made sense. Harris is my surprise cut for the DB room.

ST – (3): Fox – P, Patterson – K, Daily – LS