Tag: 53 man roster

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Here is a projected post minicamp 53 man roster for the Detroit Lions

The 2023 Detroit Lions have high hopes and high aspirations the team completed minicamp and a vision for the 53-man roster has been cast. Currently sitting with 90 players the team had some standouts during the offseason camp. So what could the roster look like for a team on the rise and a team that has a championship in their sights?

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 18: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions throws a pass against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 18, 2022 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

Quarterbacks- Jared Goff, fresh off a season that saw the veteran signal caller post 29-tds, 7-ints, 4438 yds with a QB rating of 99.32, Goff is the clear cut starter.

Backup- Nate Sudfeld, is the reserve for now as the team drafted Hendon Hooker from the University of Tennessee. Hooker is thought to be the starting QB of the future but he will begin the season on the non-football injury list as he continues to rehab a knee injury suffered last season at Tennessee.

Running Backs- David Montgomery, free agent signee from the Chicago Bears looks to be the starter.

Reserves- Jahmyr Gibbs, Craig Reynolds, Jason Cabinda round out the running backs. Right now there is no projected backup that will playout during training camp.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 04: Amon-Ra St. Brown #14 of the Detroit Lions scores a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Ford Field on December 04, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

Wide receivers- The starters look to be; Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams* (once his six game suspension is served), and Marvin Jones.

Reserves- Kalif Raymond, Josh Reynolds, Antoine Green

Tight ends- Rookie Sam LaPorta looks the part of the starting TE already. But the Lions will carry three at the position.

Reserves- Brock Wright, James Mitchell round out the TE group and each will see playing time the rotation is unknown at this time.

Offensive line- Unless there is an injury the starters are set in stone, LT Taylor Decker, LG Jonah Jackson, C Frank Ragnow, RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai, RT Penei Sewell form one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.

Reserves- OT Matt Nelson, C Ross Pierschbacher, OL Colby Sorsdal, IOL Graham Glasgow

Defensive Tackle- Starters could be Alim McNeill, Christian Covington

Reserves- Brodric Martin, Isaiah Buggs, personally I could see Buggs make a push for starter. Keep and eye on Benito Jones who I believe will win the remaining DE spot during training camp. It will not be easy, but Jones athleticism looks to give him a leg up.

Edge rusher- Starters are locked in Aidan Hutchinson, and Charles Harris

Reserves- Josh Paschal, John Cominsky, James Houston, Romeo Okwara Paschal, who appeared in 10 after recovering from injury looks to have a larger role.

Linebackers- Starters- Alex Anzalone, Malcolm Rodriguez

Reserves- Derrick Barnes, Jack Campbell, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Anthony Pittman, many believe Campbell will be a starter and very well could be. But starting roles are earned. Based on last season I am giving Rodriguez the nod for now.

Cornerbacks- Starters- Cam Sutton, Jerry Jacobs, C.J. Gardner-Johnson-(in the slot)

Reserves- Will Harris, Brian Branch, Starling Thomas, I can see Branch getting an expanded role soon. He looked good in minicamp.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – NOVEMBER 13: Kerby Joseph #31 of the Detroit Lions in action against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on November 13, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Safeties- Starters- Tracy Walker, Kerby Joseph; Walker is recovering from a torn achilles tendon and could be eased back into action.

Reserves- Saivion Smith, Ifeatu Melifonwu

Specialist- Kicker- Michael Badgley, Punter- Jack Fox, Long snapper- Jake McQuade

That is how I see the Detroit Lions 53- man roster shaping up before training camp opens in July.  Let me know your thoughts on the roster.

 

 

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A look at the Detroit Lions 53 man roster

GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 08: A detailed view of a Detroit Lions helmet during the NFL football game between the Detroit Lions and the Arizona Cardinals on September 8, 2019 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

At first glance the Detroit Lions roster is heavy at wide receiver, linebacker and cornerback. When the Lions entered Saturday’s cut down day, the roster stood at 79 players. Detroit head coach Matt Patricia said ” I hate it, it’s the worse,” when addressing the media about cut day. So let’s look at the newly constructed Detroit Lions roster.

Quarterbacks (2)-

Kept, Matthew Stafford, Chase Daniel

Gone- David Blough

Blough is gone at least for now. The quarterback had show improvement in training camp, enough to be a backup. Perhaps the Lions will look to sign him to the P.S. (practice squad) if he is not claimed by another team.

Running Back (5)

Kept- Kerryon Johnson, D’Andre Swift, Bo Scarbrough, Ty Johnson, Jason Cabinda

Gone- Jonathan Williams, Wes Hills, Jason Huntley

The surprise in the running back group is fifth round draft pick Huntley was cut. Huntley had a very good camp. The running back looked like he had some real playmaking ability with the ball in his hands during camp practices.

Wide Receiver (6)

Kept- Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr., Danny Amendola, Marvin Hall, Quintez Cephus, Jamal Agnew

Gone- Chris Lacy, Tom Kennedy, Victor Bolden

No surprises here. The only question is how Patrica and his coaching staff rotate players.

Tight End (3)

Kept- T.J. Hockenson, Jesse James, Hunter Bryant

Gone- Isaac Nauta, Matt Sokol

Hunter Bryant beating out Isaac Nauta is an eye raiser, simply because Bryant was an undrafted rookie and has been sidelined with a sore hamstring the past two weeks.

Offensive line (8)

Kept- Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Joe Dahl, Jonah Jackson, Tyrell Crosby, Logan Stenberg, Matt Nelson

Gone-  Oday Aboushi, Kenny Wiggins, Beau Benzschawel, Dan Skipper (waived injured)

The Lions are going light on interior linemen. Kenny Wiggins was supposed to be the replacement for Graham Glasgow who signed with the Denver Broncos as a free agent, the fact the Lions cut Wiggins was a bit of a surprise.

Defensive Line (7)

Kept-  Trey Flowers, Danny Shelton, Nick Williams, Julian Okwara, Da’Shawn Hand, Romeo Okwara, John Penisini

Gone- Kevin Strong, Frank Herron, Will Clarke, Olive Sagapolu, Albert Huggins, Kevin Wilkins

The only interesting thought with the defensive line unit is Da’ Shawn Hand has been dinged up at different times during his career. The Lions did not opt to keep and extra linemen for injury.

Linebackers (7)

Kept-  Jamie Collins Sr., Jarrad Davis, Christian Jones, Jahlani Tavai, Reggie Ragland, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Elijah Lee

Gone- Anthony Pittman

No surprise Patrica went heavy at linebacker as they drive his defense.

Defensive Backs (12)

Kept- Desmond Trufant, Jeff Okudah, Justin Coleman, Amani Oruwariye, Tracy Walker, Duron Harmon, Will Harris, Darryl Roberts, Tony McRae, Miles Killebrew, C.J. Moore, Mike Ford

Gone- Dee Virgin, Jalen Elliott, Bobby Price

Patrica again went heavy with defensive backs. Detroit Lions 2020 first round draft pick Jeff Okudah did not win a starting job in training camp. Detroit will go (at least for now) with Amani Oruwariye as a started when they face the Chicago Bears next Sunday.

Specialists (3)

Kept-  Matt Prater, Jack Fox, Don Muhlbach

Gone- Arryn Siposs, Steven Wirtel

In a very close competition Jack Fox won the Lions punting job. Fox had the stronger leg and showed to be more consistent in training camp.