2024 Detroit Lions 53-man roster prediction: Post-draft edition

The Detroit Lions are getting closer to building their final roster, though the coming months will make the picture both more and less clear. The NFL Draft is in the books and the Lions have added plenty of talent. Free agency is still ongoing with the potential for some additional acquisitions—the roster currently sits at 85 players—but the foundation of the roster is likely set.

As we await the start of OTAs and training camp, let us take stock of the current roster and try to parse out which players are roster locks, which players are on the bubble, and which players will need to fight for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Note: Rookies are italicized

Quarterback (2)

Jared Goff
Hendon Hooker
Nate Sudfeld

The two option quarterbacks are firmly entrenched on the roster, and with no competition barring a tryout signing, the real battle is between Sudfeld and a roster spot. Given that the emergency third-string quarterback can now come from the practice squad, I think it makes more sense to keep Sudfeld there.

Running back (4)

Jahmyr Gibbs
David Montgomery
Craig Reynolds
Sione Vaki
Zonovan Knight
Jermar Jefferson
Jake Funk

The trio of Gibbs, Montgomery, and Vaki are locks for the roster, but that fourth spot—if there is one—could be a close battle. Reynolds has the edge right now due to familiarity and experience, but Knight, Jefferson, and Funk could easily steal that title away with a good training camp. The Lions might also opt for a power back like Knight or Jefferson, as Reynolds plays a similar role to Vaki on offense.

Wide receiver (6)

Amon-Ra St. Brown
Jameson Williams
Kalif Raymond
Donovan Peoples-Jones
Antoine Green
Isaiah Williams
Tom Kennedy
Maurice Alexander
Daurice Fountain
Tre’Quan Smith
Jalon Calhoun

With no major moves in free agency or the draft, there is shaping up to be quite the battle in the receiving room. St. Brown and Williams obviously lead the way, while Raymond and Peoples-Jones seem like safe bets to make the roster. Green’s path to the roster seems clear this year, though a bad preseason could just as easily cost him a job.

For the sixth receiver spot, I give the early nod to Isaiah Williams, the next likely training camp darling. His $240,000 guaranteed deal is significant for an undrafted free agent, hinting that the Lions will give him every opportunity to win a roster spot. He benefits from a lack of slot depth, as Raymond and Peoples-Jones play more of their snaps on the outside. Alexander is a tempting option given the changes to kickoffs, but having drafted Vaki as the probable return man, I don’t see a fit for him.

Tight end (4)

Sam LaPorta
Brock Wright
James Mitchell
Shane Zylstra
Isaac Rex

Had Zylstra not gotten hurt last preseason, I think he would have made the roster in 2023. The Lions like him on offense and special teams, so barring a phenomenal showing from Rex, I think Zylstra will justify a fourth tight end spot. The remaining tight ends should be unquestioned, though Mitchell needs to take the next step sooner than later.

Offensive line (8)

Taylor Decker
Graham Glasgow
Frank Ragnow
Kevin Zeitler
Penei Sewell
Colby Sorsdal
Giovanni Manu
Christian Mahogany
Dan Skipper
Kayode Awosika
Michael Neise
Matt Farniok
Netane Muti
Connor Galvin
Kingsley Eguakun
Bryan Hudson
Duke Clemens

Barring a surprise cut, I think the Lions’ top eight options along the offensive line are clear. The starting five consists of Decker, Glasgow, Ragnow, Zeitler, and Sewell. Between Manu, Sorsdal, and Mahogany, the Lions likely have their top reserve tackle and guard—who claims which role is still unclear.

The debate comes down to an OL9, and I can’t quite agree on a player. Skipper is an experienced veteran, but I think his upside is too limited—he might be the 54th player on my roster. Awosika played a surprising amount in 2023, though I think the practice squad might be his destiny this season. Elsewhere, I think the Lions could use a non-Glasgow backup center, but considering the Lions only have undrafted rookies and out-of-position linemen, none earned a spot on my final 53.

Defensive tackles (4)

Alim McNeill
DJ Reader
Brodric Martin
Mekhi Wingo
Levi Onwuzurike
Chris Smith

McNeill and Reader are the starters, and while Martin’s rookie season was quieter than most had hoped, cutting him would be a significant surprise given that he was always a long-term project. The drafting of Wingo, meanwhile, makes Onwuzurike expendable, and it might be the final straw for the former second rounder.

Defensive end / Edge (6)

Aidan Hutchinson
Marcus Davenport
Josh Paschal
John Cominsky
James Houston
Mathieu Betts
Mitchell Agude
Isaac Ukwu
Nate Lynn

The Lions have a lot of enticing options at defensive end, and a rotation could very well be in the mix for all players not named Hutchinson. The two biggest question marks are Houston and Betts. The former needs to prove his rookie season was not a fluke, while the latter needs to prove he can translate his game from the CFL to the NFL. Agude could be a sleeper, given that he spent the entire 2023 season on the Lions practice squad to very little fanfare.

Linebacker (6)

Alex Anzalone
Jack Campbell
Derrick Barnes
Jalen Reeves-Maybin
Malcolm Rodriguez
Steele Chambers
DaRon Gilbert

Linebacker is arguably the Lions’ deepest position, as the top five of Anzalone, Campbell, Barnes, Reeves-Maybin, and Rodriguez should be safe. Rodriguez might get looks at fullback given that the Lions are currently without one, but he has excellent value as depth. I think the Lions will want to keep a sixth linebacker for special teams, so undrafted rookie Chambers gets the nod.

Cornerback (6)

Carlton Davis
Terrion Arnold
Amik Robertson
Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Kindle Vildor
Khalil Dorsey
Emmanuel Moseley
Steven Gilmore
Craig James

Davis projects as the Lions’ new CB1, with Arnold, Robertson, and Rakestraw fighting for the spot opposite him. It should be a healthy competition, and the losers of that battle could still see a sizable role on defense, perhaps at nickel on certain downs (more on that in a bit). Dorsey gets my vote due to his role on special teams.

The big name not on the list is Moseley, but that is because I am projecting him to start on the Physically Unable to Perform List like last year. In 2022, he tore his ACL in Week 5 and did not return until Week 5 of 2023. In 2023, he tore his ACL in Week 5, and I think a similar timeline is certainly possible, although it’s worth noting Moseley did suffer a setback last year. His spot gets claimed by Vildor instead.

Safety (4)

Brian Branch
Kerby Joseph
Ifeatu Melifonwu
Brandon Joseph
Chelen Garnes
Loren Strickland

I’m moving Branch to the safety spot, as he will likely play a larger role here in 2024 than he did as a rookie. He is likely to maintain a role as the nickel corner, but the lack of safety acquisitions thus far hints at an expanded look for him. Kerby Joseph and Melifonwu are among the top safety options on the team. The question is whether the Lions keep a fourth safety thanks to their defensive back depth, and if so, which player? I have Brandon Joseph as my next pick, but it’s always possible a free agent is brought in or one of the other undrafted free agents stands out instead.

Special teams (3)

Jack Fox
Michael Badgley
Scott Daly
James Turner
Hogan Hatten

Fox is unchallenged at punter, and for good reason: he is elite. Barring the signing of another free agent, Badgley versus Turner is a battle of kickers with mediocre range. Badgley is the favorite as a result given his experience, though it will truly come down to training camp—I do not believe that the coaching staff is fully committed to him.

At long snapper, Daly is the incumbent, but Hatten could very easily win the job from him. I won’t pretend to know much about the intricacies of long snapping or whether Hatten is a capable challenger, but the Lions coaches will learn over the course of training camp. The fact that they even signed another long snapper could mean that Daly is at risk.