:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/14887111/20120728_pjc_af2_512.0.jpg)
The Detroit Lions completed their offseason training program last week with a mandatory minicamp. Now, the Lions have the next month or so off. They will once again gather in Allen Park as a team for training camp starting at the end of July. Many players will be battling for starting spots, and even more players will be battling to simply make the team.
This year especially, the Lions are going to have some tough decisions to make when it comes to getting down to 53 players after the preseason. I found that out when assembling my latest 53-man roster prediction. There were some really tough calls to make, especially with training camp and the preseason still to come. I fully expect this to change quite a bit in the coming months, but here's my best guess at the Lions' 53-man roster coming out of last week's minicamp (my picks to make the team are in bold and underlined):
|
QB Matthew Stafford QB Shaun Hill QB Thaddeus Lewis QB Kellen Moore RB Reggie Bush RB Mikel Leshoure RB Joique Bell RB Montell Owens RB Theo Riddick RB Steven Miller RB Jahvid Best (PUP list) FB Shaun Chapas WR Calvin Johnson WR Nate Burleson WR Ryan Broyles WR Patrick Edwards WR Corey Fuller WR Micheal Spurlock WR Mike Thomas WR Kris Durham WR Brian Robiskie WR Devin Thomas WR Matt Willis WR Terrence Austin WR Cody Wilson |
TE Brandon Pettigrew TE Tony Scheffler TE Michael Williams TE Joseph Fauria TE Dominique Curry OT Riley Reiff OT Corey Hilliard OT Jason Fox OT LaAdrian Waddle OT Austin Holtz OG Rob Sims OG Larry Warford OG Rodney Austin OG Bill Nagy OG Dylan Gandy OG Jake Scott OG Derek Hardman OG Darren Keyton C Dominic Raiola C Leroy Harris |
DE Ziggy Ansah DE Jason Jones DE Willie Young DE Devin Taylor DE Ronnell Lewis DE Freddie Bishop DE Braylon Broughton DT Ndamukong Suh DT Nick Fairley DT C.J. Mosley DT Ogemdi Nwagbuo DT Jimmy Saddler-McQueen DT Spencer Nealy LB Stephen Tulloch LB DeAndre Levy LB Ashlee Palmer LB Tahir Whitehead LB Travis Lewis LB Brandon Hepburn LB Carmen Messina LB Cory Greenwood LB Jon Morgan LB Alex Elkins |
CB Chris Houston CB Ron Bartell CB Darius Slay CB Bill Bentley CB Jonte Green CB Chris Greenwood CB Ross Weaver CB D.J. Johnson CB DeQuan Menzie S Glover Quin S Louis Delmas S Don Carey S Amari Spievey S John Wendling S Ricardo Silva S Tyrell Johnson S Martavius Neloms K David Akers K Havard Rugland P Sam Martin P Blake Clingan LS Don Muhlbach |
- While Kellen Moore has reportedly improved his arm strength, I like that Thaddeus Lewis has already made a start in the NFL and did quite well in that game. This battle will ultimately come down to what happens in the preseason, but I'm giving Lewis a slight edge right now.
- Because there is so much uncertainty at running back, wide receiver and tight end, I ended up cutting three players that I would've liked to keep on the 53-man roster. Theo Riddick, Mike Thomas and Joseph Fauria all made my initial cut, but when I rearranged things to account for special teams and not overloading certain positions, those three ended up on the outside looking in.
- Since I have Patrick Edwards making the team, it's safe to say I'm buying the hype he's received from some of his teammates at wide receiver this offseason.
- Staying at wide receiver, I expect Micheal Spurlock to make the team as the Lions' starting return man.
- Given the contract the Lions handed out to Leroy Harris, I'd be surprised if he isn't on the 53-man roster. I have him as the main backup at offensive guard and center, and I have Bill Nagy not making the team as a result. Considering Nagy is still recovering from the ankle surgery he had last summer, I just don't have much faith in his health going into training camp.
- The Lions have never had fewer than nine defensive linemen on their initial 53-man roster in the Jim Schwartz era, but I have them going with only eight this year, at least to start the season. The reason for this is because the last spot on defense for me came down to Ronnell Lewis and John Wendling. I just don't expect much right now out of Lewis at defensive end, and Wendling is clearly the better player on special teams. Also, considering there are questions about the health of Louis Delmas' knees, I think it'd be worthwhile for the Lions to keep an extra safety.
- Part of the reason it was so tough to find an extra spot for a safety is because I have six cornerbacks making the team. That could end up being one too many, but who do you cut out of a group that includes Chris Houston, Ron Bartell, Darius Slay, Bill Bentley, Jonte Green and Chris Greenwood? I suppose Greenwood would be the first to go if he has a rough camp, but given what Bartell recently said about him, I'd be surprised if the Lions decided to release him.
What does your 53-man roster look like right now for the Lions?
(Previously: Post-draft prediction)