Lions reach the 53 roster limit after cutdown

[D6]

Lions finalize 53-man roster: QBs Josh Johnson, David Blough both in

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This new thread relates to the following threads:

Browns 20, Lions 16: Pre-season Game # 4 : ( 2019 )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/355/browns-lions-season-game-2019


Lions projected 53 man roster ( 2019 season )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/334/lions-projected-roster-2019-season


Before commenting on the roster moves by position units, combined with Special Teams, one or more Lions roster moves ( in addition to putting together a Practice Squad ) are very likely in the next couple of weeks. Injuries and opportunities of other players available, will probably lead to multiple Lions roster moves.


QBs: I'm pleased with the decision to keep Josh Johnson over Tom Savage. Johnson has more NFL exposure. Savage is a high risk player because of his concussion history. With the Patriots releasing QB Brian Hoyer, it will be interesting to see if the Lions pursue him. The Colts certainly come to mind as a team that likely will have interest in Hoyer.

If the Lions see David Plough as a likely # 2 QB from 2020 to at least through the 2022 season, then keeping him on the roster makes sense.


RB : Though Mark Thompson has plenty of upside potential, I understand the Lions decision to release him. I think it's somewhere from 50 to 55 % that Thompson will clear waivers. If that happens, he should be a Practice Squad priority. I think the Lions should sign 2 RBs to the P.S.

WR: I'm comfortable with the two backup WRs ( Chris Lacy and Travis Fulgham ) on the roster. I question the Lions decision to release Brandon Powell. I think he more likely than not will be claimed off waivers. Powell has displayed big time return skills and has plenty of playmaking potential on Offense. The Lions will be fortunate if he ends up on the Lions P.S. Powell could elect to sign a P.S. contract with another team, if he clears waivers.

Jonathan Duhurt, Jordan Lasley, and Tom Kennedy are all worth considering for a P.S. spot.

TE: I'm comfortable with the Lions decision to release Isaac Nauta. There's probably a 50 to 55 % chance he clears waivers. Nauta would be a very good P.S. addition.

Austin Traylor displayed good Special Teams potential. If Nauta ends up elsewhere, Traylor would be worth developing on the P.S.

Offensive Line:

I have no issue at all regarding the Offensive Lineman the Lions released.

Beau Benzschawel is likely at least currently on the Lions 53 man roster because of potential, not what he can provide early this season. I am comfortable with the decision. Having said that, I would like the Lions to try to upgrade from Oday Oboushi. With the Lions seriously considering exposing Benzschawel on waivers if there's a 2nd Offensive Line that would be a significant upgrade.

Defensive Lineman:

I think the Lions made the right decisions here. P.J. Johnson probably has more upside potential than Kevin Strong. However, Strong looks like the better player now and has plenty of upside potential in his own right. Strong also provides more versatility.

I anticipate at least of the following DEs clearing waivers: Eric Lee, Mitchell Loewen. If that happens, the Lions could then put Austin Bryant ( or Da'Shawn Hand ) on Short Term I.R.. With Lee or Loewen then being re-signed. The Lions also might like an option from elsewhere.

LB: Good decision keeping the 6 LBs that are currently on the 53 man roster.

I have no issue with the Lions releasing Steve Longa.

Ideally, Malik Carney would have been kept on the 53 man roster. But I understand the decision to expose Carney to waivers. I think there's a 55 to close to 60 % chance Carney clears waivers. If that's the case, he should be a priority Practice Squad Player.

Defensive Backs:

I'm very disappointed by the Lions decision to release Charles Washington. Even more so than Brandon Powell. Washington was the Lions best Special Teams coverage player in recent seasons.

I'm surprised Mike Ford survived the cutdown to 53. This was my greatest surprise of the Lions roster moves in the last 2 days , excluding the David Blough trade acquisition. I much rather the Lions have kept Washington than Ford. I'm hoping the Lions upgrade this roster spot.

I would be surprised if Charles Washington isn't claimed on waivers. If the Lions end up signing him to the P.S.' that would be good news under the circumstance the Lions created by releasing him.

C.J. Moore certainly has major Special Teams potential. But I would have preferred the Lions keeping the proven Washington over him ( if it came down to the two. ).

Specialists:

Good decisions.

[D6]

Detroit Lions 53-man roster: Here's what stood out on cut day

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One thing in particular I have uncertainty about in terms of the NFL roster rules / procedures is the day ( and time ) teams can place players on Short Term IR? It's sometime in the coming days ( well before Sunday's opening day games ). If the Lions don't make a Short Term IR move with Austin Bryant ( or Da'Shawn Hand ) today ( Sun. Sept. 1 ), I'm expecting it to happen by sometime Wednesday Morning.

[D6]

Instant analysis of the Lions roster cuts and initial 53-man roster

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Braxton Berrios is the WR mentioned, who was released by another team ( Patriots ), who I hope the Lions serious consider claiming off waivers. Berrios seems like a good fit as a Slot Receiver.


I'm not anticipating the Lions will expose Travis Fulgham to waivers today or any time this week. I think the Lions brass wants to see how Fulgham progresses in the regular season before deciding how to proceed with him.

[D6]

Lions initial 53-man roster includes three QBs, Josh Johnson as backup

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Linebacker is a position that I think there's at least a pretty good chance the Lions will make a roster addition sometime before the Lions 2nd game.

[papajoe]

While I’m still hoping that Josh Johnson doesn’t have to play a meaningful down this season; I’m glad he was kept over Tom Savage.
While I’d love to see Brandon Powell and Issac Nauta remain with the Lions, even if it’s the practice squad to start the season, I don’t think either player will make it through waivers. Powell’s return ability/explosiveness and big-play potential may be too much to pass up. The Lions are a little weak at a position or two; and there are teams that are weak at TE...like the Patriots...I’ll be surprised if Nauta doesn’t get claimed by one of those teams, despite some preseason inconsistencies.
I’m guessing the Lions have their eyes on 5-6 waiver claims themselves; and guessing that they’ll be able to make 3, maybe 4, of them.


Joe

[D6]

Joe, good point in particular regarding the Patriots and their TE situation. Being that the Patriots had joint practices with the Lions ( the same regarding the Texans ), they probably have some Lions players in mind that they seriously would consider adding now or down the road.

My prediction is the Lions end up making 2 waiver claims. As of now, I haven't seen any NFL Waiver Claims from the NFL Cutdown to 53.