:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50273577/usa-today-8745906.0.jpg)
The Detroit Lions have finished four days of training camp, and we’ve already gotten to know a lot about their intentions for the 2016 season. Guys like Jon Bostic and Gabe Ikard surprised a lot of people, while players like Jeremy Kerley and Jake Rudock have fallen off the map.
Based on what we’ve seen and heard after four days of practice, the Pride Of Detroit staff gave their best predictions on which bubble players will make the final 53-man roster, and who will be on the outside looking in:
Offense:
| QB Jake Rudock | RB Stevan Ridley | RB George Winn | RB Zach Zenner | WR TJ Jones | WR Jeremy Kerley | WR Jay Lee | TE Matthew Mulligan | C Gabe Ikard | OT Cornelius Lucas | |
| Jeremy Reisman | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | OUT | OUT | IN | OUT |
| Alex Reno | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | IN |
| Kent Lee Platte | OUT | IN-ish | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | IN |
| Chris Lemieux | OUT | IN | OUT | OUUUUUTTTT | IN | OUT | IN | IN | IN | OUT |
| Justin Simon | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | OUT | IN | IN | IN |
| Mike Payton | IN | IN | OUT | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | OUT | OUT | IN |
| Andrew Kato | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | OUT | IN | IN | OUT |
| Ryan Mathews | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | OUT | OUT | IN | IN |
| Kyle Yost | IN | IN | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | OUT |
There’s a lot of agreement among the offense, although Jay Lee is a big topic of debate. Lee came into camp with a lot of hype already around him, and early reports are positive for the undrafted free agent out of Baylor. However, with the addition of Anquan Boldin last week, the situation at receiver is very unclear. Lee brings a unique skillset with his size, but he still has some work to do to make the final roster.
Additionally, staffers are in disagreement about Matthew Mulligan. This likely has to do with the uncertainty surrounding tight end Brandon Pettigrew, who is currently on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. If Pettigrew is taken off the list before the start of the season, Mulligan is likely gone. If Pettigrew isn’t ready to go, Mulligan is a great candidate to take his spot.
Defense
| DT Gabe Wright | DT Stefan Charles | DE Anthony Zettel | LB Kyle Van Noy | LB Jon Bostic | LB Antwione Williams | CB Alex Carter | CB Crezdon Butler | S Tavon Wilson | S Isaiah Johnson | |
| Jeremy Reisman | IN | IN | IN | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | OUT |
| Alex Reno | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | OUT |
| Kent Lee Platte | IN | OUT | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | OUT | IN | OUT |
| Chris Lemieux | OUT | IN | HELL YEAH IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | OUT | IN | OUT |
| Justin Simon | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | OUT |
| Mike Payton | IN | OUT | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN | OUT | IN | OUT |
| Andrew Kato | IN | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | IN | IN | OUT | IN | OUT |
| Ryan Mathews | OUT | IN | IN | IN | IN | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | OUT |
| Kyle Yost | IN | OUT | IN | IN | IN | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | OUT |
There’s a lot less agreement among the defense, starting with Gabe Wright. His position with the Lions has been hotly debated all offseason and not much has changed after four practices. He’ll still only be a second-year player, but the numbers game doesn’t look kind for Wright.
One of his competitors, Stefan Charles, is similarly debated. A free agent acquisition from Buffalo, Charles brings experience, but he may have already hit his ceiling. Charles brings the proven play while Wright has the untapped potential. The Lions are in for a rough choice.
At linebacker, a few believe this is Kyle Van Noy’s last stop with the Lions. He has been playing with the first-team defense throughout early camp, but the reviews on his play are mixed. Meanwhile, rookie Antwione Williams is evenly split among the Pride Of Detroit staff. If he can’t manage the final 53-man roster, the Lions will almost certainly try to retain him on the practice squad.
#LongSnapperWatch2016
| Jimmy Landes or Don Muhlbach | |
| Jeremy Reisman | Don Mulhbach |
| Alex Reno | Jimmy Landes |
| Kent Lee Platte | Jimmy Landes |
| Chris Lemieux | don't break my heart (Landes) |
| Justin Simon | Jimmy Landes |
| Mike Payton | nobody puts Muhlbach in the corner |
| Andrew Kato | Jimmy Landes |
| Ryan Mathews | Don Muhlbach |
| Kyle Yost | Jimmy Landes |
Jimmy Landes was considered to be a shoo-in for the Lions’ long snapper job, but after some early struggles in camp, some doubt is starting to creep in. Three staffers believe Don Muhlbach will retain his job, despite the Lions cashing in a sixth-round pick for his replacement.