:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47090208/GettyImages-485255906.0.jpg)
With the Detroit Lions' final preseason game now in the books, the last step towards the regular season is finalizing the 53-man roster for Week 1. That means cuts are coming. Here's my predictions for the final round of cuts and the "finalized" roster. (Remember, nearly every year additional cuts are made and teams pick up other teams' released players.)
|
QB Matthew Stafford QB Dan Orlovsky QB Kellen Moore RB Joique Bell RB Ameer Abdullah RB Theo Riddick RB Zach Zenner RB George Winn FB Michael Burton FB Emil Igwenagu WR Calvin Johnson WR Golden Tate WR Lance Moore WR Corey Fuller WR Jeremy Ross WR TJ Jones WR Greg Salas |
TE Eric Ebron TE Brandon Pettigrew TE Tim Wright TE Joseph Fauria TE Casey Pierce OT Riley Reiff OT LaAdrian Waddle OT Cornelius Lucas OT Corey Robinson OT Xavier Proctor OG Laken Tomlinson OG Larry Warford OG Manny Ramirez OG Torrian Wilson OG Al Bond C Travis Swanson C Taylor Boggs C Joe Madsen C Braxston Cave |
DE Ezekiel Ansah DE Jason Jones DE Darryl Tapp DE Devin Taylor DE Phillip Hunt DE Corey Wootton DE Larry Webster DT Haloti Ngata DT Tyrunn Walker DT Caraun Reid DT Gabe Wright DT Jermelle Cudjo DT Kerry Hyder DT Jerel Worthy LB DeAndre Levy LB Stephen Tulloch LB Tahir Whitehead LB Josh Bynes LB Travis Lewis LB Kyle Van Noy LB Julian Stanford LB Brandon Copeland |
CB Darius Slay CB Rashean Mathis CB Nevin Lawson CB Josh Wilson CB Quandre Diggs CB Alex Carter CB Crezdon Butler S Glover Quin S James Ihedigbo S Isa Abdul-Quddus S Don Carey S Nate Ness S Isaiah Johnson S Brian Suite K Matt Prater P Sam Martin LS Don Muhlbach |
What changed?
Zach Zenner in, George Winn out - Yes, I finally gave in. I am the last passenger aboard the Zach Zenner Hype Train. His performance this preseason -- as unlikely as it was -- was too much to ignore. Zenner beat Winn in every phase of the game, and even improved on special teams as each week progressed. Zenner absolutely deserves a roster spot.
Tim Wright in, Joseph Fauria out - The writing was on the wall for Fauria when the Lions traded for Wright earlier in the week. The Lions didn't play Wright much during the final preseason game, but that tells me they've already made up their mind.
Kyle Van Noy in, Julian Stanford out - Van Noy surprised me not only by returning to practice this week, but by looking decent in the final preseason game. Van Noy not only legitimized his spot on the roster, but he also put in an argument for some playing time. Unless there's a setback with his injury overnight, Van Noy has made the team.
Phillip Hunt in, Larry Webster out - Hunt sacked the quarterback once in the final preseason game, and was the most consistent player throughout the entire preseason. Hunt looks hungry and finally fully recovered from an ACL tear two years ago. Webster failed to impress throughout the entire preseason.
Close calls
TJ Jones - Jones made a valiant effort in the final preseason game to claim a roster spot. However, he just didn't do it consistently enough. While Jeremy Ross wasn't exactly electric either, he displayed some receiver skills earlier in the preseason, and the coaches just seem to trust him a little more. I would probably give the edge to Jones, but I get the feeling the Lions will not.
Joseph Fauria - Although I have Fauria losing to newly acquired Wright, I was very close to giving Fauria a roster spot in place of Kellen Moore. Even though Moore was competent in the Lions' preseason finale, I just don't see him being worthy of a roster spot. Jones and Fauria, however, could actually make contributions to this team. But, ultimately, I have seen zero signs from the Lions front office that indicate they're willing to play with just two quarterbacks.