Predicting the Detroit Lions cuts down to 75 players

The Detroit Lions will be making their first steps in trimming their roster down to the 53-man team that is required before the start of the regular season. The NFL requires teams to first have their roster cut down to 75 men by Tuesday Aug. 30 at 4 p.m. ET. The Detroit Lions roster currently stands at 89 players (after their release of Stevan Ridley earlier in the week). Here are our predictions of the next 14 players to go.

K Devon Bell

Bell shanked a 47-yard field goal in Saturday’s preseason game against the Ravens, and never truly had a chance to make the roster. The Lions just don’t need a second kicker going into the final preseason game, even if he also helps out with punting reps.

T Luke Marquardt

Marquardt joined the team back in late July, but never showed any potential to climb up the depth chart. Marquardt’s play in the preseason was not very good, and even though the Lions are a bit shorthanded at offensive tackle, the Lions can make due in the final preseason game without Marquardt.

C Lemuel Jeanpierre

Jeanpierre was also a recent addition to the team, joining Detroit less than two weeks ago. He did get some playing time in Saturday’s game, but the Lions don’t need him on the roster. Gabe Ikard will likely take over center duties for the majority of snaps in the final preseason game in an effort to justify a roster spot.

TE Orson Charles

Though the Lions are lacking in healthy tight ends, Charles is a guy the Lions can do without for the final preseason game. Charles had a decent game against the Bengals, hauling in four catches for 40 yards, but the Lions know what they have in him. The Lions would likely rather take a look at the younger Adam Fuehne and Cole Wick in the final preseason game.

WR Jeremy Kerley

This may be the most surprising player on the list, but Kerley has been slowly dropping down the depth chart since the beginning of training camp. Kerley was supposed to provide some competition on special teams, specifically at punt return, but in the past two games, he’s returned just one punt and no kickoffs while only catching a single pass over the same time period. The Lions could do him a favor and give him a chance elsewhere by cutting him in the first round of roster trimming.

DE Quanterus Smith

Smith was signed to the Lions about a month ago, to help with poor defensive end depth. Though Smith was given as good of a chance as anyone, he was essentially just a camp body.

DT Louis Palmer

The former Central Michigan Chippewa joined the Lions as an undrafted free agent back in May. Palmer did not record a single tackle during the preseason.

DT Kerry Hyder

Hyder showed some flashes during training camp and had at least two tackles in every preseason game. But he also had a very bad personal foul penalty against the Bengals and is just buried too deep below some really good talent.

LB Dominique Tovell

The Lions have already waived and signed Tovell this month. Chances are pretty good they’ll be waiving him again shortly.

LB Chi Chi Ariguzo

The Lions have been taking a good look at Ariguzo in the preseason. The early August addition had played in about 35 percent of defensive snaps coming into Saturday’s game. However, assuming Josh Bynes gets better, there isn’t really a spot on the roster for Ariguzo.

CB Brandon McGee

Cornerback is one of the deepest positions on the Lions, who are currently carrying 11 cornerbacks. Detroit will have five or six on the final roster, so several corners may be released by Tuesday’s deadline. McGee is the most recent of cornerback additions, but he may also be the first to go.

CB Rashaad Reynolds

Just a month ago, Reynolds was without a team. He was given a fair chance in Detroit, playing in over one-fourth of the defensive snaps, but ultimately it is hard to find a place for him on the roster.

CB Charles Washington

The same can be said for Washington, who was one of the first undrafted free agents added to the roster after the draft. The rookie from Fresno State didn’t stand out in camp or preseason, leaving him vulnerable to be part of the first round of cuts.

LB Jon Bostic to IR

I can’t fully explain why the Lions haven’t placed Bostic on the injured reserve list yet, but Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press is reporting the Lions will do this next week. This will clear up the final roster spot the Lions need to get down to 75 by Tuesday.

With these cuts, here's what the Detroit Lions 75-man roster would look like: