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Our Detroit Lions roster countdown has reached “bubble” territory. The players ranked 60 to 51 on our list not only all have a chance to make the Lions’ 53-man roster, but several have the opportunity to be significant contributors—whether it be on special teams or because of an injury situation.
In other words, get used to seeing some of these names, because undoubtedly a few of them will be making plays for the team in 2021—and maybe even beyond that.
So here is our list of the 2021 Detroit Lions players we have ranked between 60 and 51.
Note on methodology: Six Pride of Detroit members ranked the entire roster from 89 to 1. This list represents the averaged rankings of all six lists.
Previously:
60. WR Damion Ratley (Highest ranking: 48; Lowest ranking: 71)
Last year: N/A
Ratley has a ways to go to crack the Lions' depth chart at wide receiver, but he is one of the few depth players with actual NFL experience. His 407 yards receiving—mostly gained in his two years with the Browns—could give him an edge amongst the young and inexperienced. Still, it’s an uphill battle.
59. LB Anthony Pittman (Highest: 54; Lowest: 75)
Last year: 70
Pittman rises up the rankings simply by means of staying on the Lions’ practice squad for the past two years. The previous coaching staff saw something in him, but will the current one?
58. OL Drake Jackson (Highest: 55; Lowest: 76)
Last year: N/A
Jackson had an illustrious college career with Kentucky. PFF named him first-team All-SEC last year. But Jackson may need to show some versatility at the guard positions to prove his worth on the 53-man roster.
57. S Bobby Price (Highest: 50; Lowest: 69)
Last year: 69
Despite only playing 35 special teams snaps last year, Price jumps 12 spots in our rankings this year. Again, it says something that he managed to stick around all season on the practice squad, and with Detroit’s limited depth at safety, Price could take a jump to the regular roster in Year 2.
56. TE Alize Mack (Highest: 47; Lowest: 61)
Last year: N/A
The current favorite to win the Lions’ TE3 job, Alize Mack comes to Detroit after two journeymen seasons in the NFL. One reason he may be the favorite to win the job: Lions head coach Dan Campbell coached him in New Orleans during the 2019 offseason (he didn’t end up making the team). Mack is also very athletic and was somewhat productive at Notre Dame.
55. WR Geronimo Allison (Highest: 46; Lowest: 67)
Last year: 58
Allison is this year’s wild card in the receiver room. One of the more experienced guys, Allison was signed by the previous regime to legitimately contend with their depth in 2020. And while he has to impress an entirely different set of coaches after choosing to opt-out last year, the lack of Detroit’s proven depth at the position may actually give him a better chance to make the roster this year.
54. QB David Blough (Highest: 48; Lowest: 62)
Last year: 64
On the field, Blough hasn’t done much to impress. But the Purdue product is still young and developing, and he’s drawn interest from other teams, forcing the Lions to promote him from the practice squad last year. He enters training camp as the team’s QB3, but if he’s shown enough development, being the team’s backup is not out of the question.
53. DE Charles Harris (Highest: 43; Lowest: 59)
Last year: N/A
Harris is firmly in the EDGE4 race as we enter training camp. But his career as a former first-round pick has not gone as planned. HIs limited athletic profile has proven to be an issue, and he’s only tallied 6.5 sacks in four seasons. Perhaps a change in scenery could help, but this is already his third team in five years.
52. LB Shaun Dion Hamilton (Highest: 40; Lowest: 67)
Last year: N/A-
The Lions added Hamilton via waivers in January after the linebacker made 46 game appearances for the Washington Football Team between 2018 and 2020. In his most active season—387 defensive snaps in 2019—he produced a solid 74.8 PFF grade with a phenomenal 89.7 coverage grade. The Lions need coverage help from their linebacking corps, which could give Hamilton a leg up on the competition.
51. DE Austin Bryant (Highest: 37; Lowest: 60)
Last year: 44
Bryant is entering training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. In two years, he’s made just 10 game appearances and hasn’t made much of an impact outside of a blocked punt. He has a lot to prove this training camp, so he needs to get off the PUP list as soon as possible.