:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60725155/usa_today_10513863.0.jpg)
After a week of training camp, it seems like we already know a lot more about the Detroit Lions roster. DeShawn Shead, once considered a depth signing, appears to be the leading candidate for the No. 2 cornerback job. Similarly, Alex Barrett has emerged as a power player in the Lions’ edge rusher depth chart.
So with that in mind, our Pride of Detroit staff—including our newbies—gave their best guesses at which players are the bubble will and will not make the team.
Offense
| POD staffer | QB Jake Rudock | QB Matt Cassel | RB Ameer Abdullah | RB Zach Zenner | WR Jace Billinglsey | WR Teo Redding | G Kenny Wiggins | G/C Leo Koloamatangi | T Corey Robinson | T Brian Mihalik |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POD staffer | QB Jake Rudock | QB Matt Cassel | RB Ameer Abdullah | RB Zach Zenner | WR Jace Billinglsey | WR Teo Redding | G Kenny Wiggins | G/C Leo Koloamatangi | T Corey Robinson | T Brian Mihalik |
| Jeremy Reisman | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | OUT | IN | IN | IN | OUT | OUT |
| Kent Lee Platte | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | OUT | IN |
| Justin Simon | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | OUT | IN | IN | IN | OUT | IN |
| Andrew Kato | OUT | IN | IN | IN | OUT | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | IN |
| Ryan Mathews | RETIRE | IN | IN | OUT | OUT | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | OUT |
| Mike Payton | In. But Michigan sucks | IN | OUT | OUT | Sadly out | IN | IN | OUT | OUT | IN |
| Alex Reno | Go Green | IN | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | IN | IN | OUT | OUT |
| Hamza Baccouche | IN | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | IN | IN | OUT |
| Mansur Shaheen | IN | OUT | IN | OUT | OUT | OUT | IN | OUT | OUT | IN |
| John Whiticar | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | IN | OUT | IN | OUT | OUT | IN |
New to bubble watch: N/A
Off the bubble: N/A
Though the players on the bubble remain the same from last week, opinions have very clearly changed over the week. Matt Cassel won me over after a couple of solid training camp practices, and the MSU crowd is still anti-Rudock. However, a couple of our newer staff members still believe this is Jake Rudock’s job to lose.
At running back, Ameer Abdullah convinced the two OUTs from last week (Kent and Andrew), but Alex and Mike still think he on the outside looking in.
For wide receivers, the argument appears to be whether to keep a fifth receiver or not. Almost everyone think Jace Billingsley is out, but the staff is split as to whether the team will make room for UDFA standout Teo Redding.
The offensive line situation is just a mess at this point. The Lions have a lot of potential reserve talent in the middle of the line with Leo Koloamatangi, Joe Dahl and Kenny Wiggins, but the tackle situation is murky at best. There is little consensus on the fate of Corey Robinson and Brian Mihalik.
Defense
| Staffer | DE Jeremiah Valoaga | DE Cornelius Washington | DT Christian Ringo | DT Jeremiah Ledbetter | LB Jonathan Freeny | LB Chad Meredith | S Miles Killebrew | S Charles Washington |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Staffer | DE Jeremiah Valoaga | DE Cornelius Washington | DT Christian Ringo | DT Jeremiah Ledbetter | LB Jonathan Freeny | LB Chad Meredith | S Miles Killebrew | S Charles Washington |
| Jeremy Reisman | IN | OUT | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | OUT | IN |
| Kent Lee Platte | IN | OUT | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | OUT | IN |
| Justin Simon | IN | OUT | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | OUT | IN |
| Andrew Kato | IN | OUT | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | IN | OUT |
| Ryan Mathews | IN | IN | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | IN | OUT |
| Mike Payton | IN | IN | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | IN | IN |
| Alex Reno | IN | OUT | OUT | IN | IN | IN | IN | IN |
| Hamza Baccouche | IN | OUT | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | OUT | IN |
| Mansur Shaheen | IN | OUT | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | IN | OUT |
| John Whiticar | IN | OUT | OUT | IN | IN | OUT | IN | OUT |
Off the bubble: Alex Barrett (lock)
New to Bubble Watch: Christian Ringo
With no standouts at defensive tackle, Chrisitan Ringo has worked his way onto the bubble, but no one on staff is ready to plug him into the 53-man roster.
Surprisingly, there seems to be a lot of consensus on the defensive roster thus far. The defensive line seems pretty straight forward, with Cornelius Washington being the only non-uninamious player on Bubble Watch. Washington will have a chance to convince the rest of the staffers that he belongs now that he is finally off the NFI list and playing.
Really the only debate is among the safeties. Miles Killebrew, who has had a very quiet camp, still has a majority of staffers on his side, but his grasp on a roster spot is clearly slipping. The question is whether he can keep special teamer Charles Washington at bay or if the Lions decide to keep that many safeties anyways.