Lions projected 53 man roster ( 2021 season )

[D6]

Lions roster projection heading into training camp: Offense

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My guess at this time is David Blough must earn the # 2 QB on merit to be on the Lions 53 man roster following the cutdown to 53 players.

Most likely either Jermar Jefferson will be the Lions # 3 RB ( not counting the FB position ) or the Lions # 3 RB is currently not on the roster.

Tyrell Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown are the only Lions WRs that clearly will land roster spots barring a major injury. Unless the quality level of the Lions WR unit is better than the consensus opinion, it probably would be a mistake to go with as many as 6 WRs on the roster under most scenarios.

The 3rd TE spot is up for grabs. It realistically could be a TE currently not on the roster.

The Lions interior O-Line depth is questionable to the extent that the team easily could have 2 backups currently not on the roster. The Lions are in much better shape at backup Tackle.

[D6]

Lions roster projection heading into training camp: The defense

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n looking at where things stand around an hour before the first pre-season game, Alim McNeill has had an outstanding training camp. He's already the Lions # 1 NT.

Da'Shawn Hand has helped his cause in training camp but came out of practice the other day with an ankle injury.

Jashon Cornell has had a strong training camp. Better than I was anticipating. That much more with Cornell coming off a torn ACL. Right now, he's on a path to be on the Lions 53 man roster after his suspension is over.

Brian Price retired before training camp began..

Reggie Gilbert was already cut.

The other 5 OLBs/edge players listed all probably helped themselves in the eyes of the Lions brass.

.The Lions Inside/ off-ball LBs situation looks better now than it did going into training camp. Shaun Dion Hamilton more likely than not will survive the cutdown to 53. Anthony Pittman is making a strong case to do so as well.

Robert McCray reportedly has been used at OLB / Edge more than Inside / Off the Ball. He could realistically be a prime Practice Squad signing for the Lions, based on how he's done in training camp.

Jeff Okudah is having a strong training camp, erasing concerns from his rookie season and the groin surgery he had that followed.

Quinton Dunbar is dealing with a personal issue and was released earlier this week. I realistically expected a much better Lions outcome with Dunbar.

Corn Elder has been dealing with an injury. Nickell Robey-Coleman was signed early this week and is the likely Lions top Nickel CB at the beginning of the regular season. Elder is in very serious danger of not even surviving the cutdown to 53.

Ifeatu Melifonwu has only be used at CB and Special Teams. He's off to a slow start to his NFL career.

Jerry Jacobs and AJ..Parker have been pleasant surprises as UDFRAs. One or both could realistically survive the cut down to 53 and be on the Lions opening day 53 man roster.

Tracy Walker is back on track.

There have been mixed reports on Will Harris.

UDRFA D'Angelo Amos was released earlier this week.

Other than Walker, there's more questions than answers at Safety at this point in time for the Lions.

Zane Gonzalez replaced the struggling Matthew Wright on the Lions roster earlier this week. The Lions Kicker situation is concerning.

[D6]

Predicting the first 5 cuts for the Lions after the preseason opener

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lex Brown was released on Sunday.

If 4 other players are released ( no one landing on IR ) in the cutdown to 85, I think Hunter Thedford will be released. If not Thedford, then TE Brock Wright.


My gut feeling is the Lions will move on from Geronimo Allison as one of the cuts. He doesn't offer enough on Special Teams to warrant a roster spot for a WR who is a backup caliber WR at best. Damion Ratley probably is the next likely WR to be let go.

PJ. Johnson probably will be released if the injury situation for the three interior D-Lineman that didn't play vs. Buffalo, is improved.

T Darrin Paulo looks like a prime candidate to be released, if Tyrell Crosby is expected to be ready for game action at Pittsburgh If Paulo survives the cut, Dan Skipper probably will be released if an Offensive Tackle is let go.

[D6]

Lions roster bubble watch: 6 players who helped their chances


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I think the Lions are going to look closely at interior Offensive Lineman released by other teams. I'm far from confident Logan Stenberg is going to be on the Lions opening day 53 man roster AND remain on the roster after the 49ers game. After the game, the Lions could sign a vested veteran. The contract wouldn't be guaranteed for the season, unlike if the vested veteran is on the opening day 53 man roster.

Kevin Strong certainly helped his cause vs. the Bills. If Strong continues on his current path, I think he will at least begin the regular season on the Lions 53 man roster.

It seemed like Austin Bryant had more than one QB pressure. He made his presence felt in this game. Bryant's hustle was apparent on a play on the opposite side of the field.

Special Teams seem critical for Tom Kennedy to land an opening day roster spot. I don't think what he offers at WR will be enough.

Jalen Elliott probably will have to beat out players at other positions to survive the cutdown to 53. Then so much will depend on which players were released by other teams and potentially the waiver claims process.

[D6]

Predicting the next 5 Lions roster cuts after the second preseason game

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I didn't notice Victor Bolden, Evan Heim, and PJ Johnson in the Lions pre-season game in Pittsburgh. If one or more played, it was very few snaps. I can't recall at this time if Darrin Paulo played in the game. The others on this list played.

The only one of these players I think has a chance to survive the cutdown to 53 next week is Jahlani Tavai. It wouldn't surprise me though if he's released in the cut down to 80. I'm going to put Tavai on my cut projection list to 80.

The decision making for the players other than Tavai is probably much more about player availability for the pre-season finale vs. the Colts than anything else. With so many players likely kept out of the game, the Lions will need to have enough players at each position to get through the game.

I think PJ Johnson, Sage Surrett, Geronimo Allison ( who isn't on the list ), Jahlani Tavai, and Darrin Paulo are the 5 players that will end up being cut for the Lions to get down to 80 players.

CB Corn Elder is another possibility to be cut or end up on season ending IR. It's possible ( not likely ) the plan with Elder is for him to survive the cut down to 53 and then be placed on Short Term IR.

Newly signed QB Jordan Ta'amu is also candidate to be released in the cut down to 80. Especially, if both Tim Boyle and David Blough are not significantly limited in practice by injury.

[D6]

Lions roster bubble watch: 6 players who improved their roster odds

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Regarding A.J Parker, he's much closer to winning the Lions primary Nickel CB role at the beginning of the regular season than not making the Lions opening day 53 man roster.

Dan Skipper looked much better at RT than at LT.I don't think Skipper provides enough versatility to warrant a roster spot at the beginning of the season.

Anthony Pittman is probably at or near 50-50 on whether he will survive the Lions cut down to 53 players.

[D6]

Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection 1.0

Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection 2.0

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The Lions keeping all 3 QBs to begin the regular season is a very realistic possibility but no means even close to a lock.

The groin injury to D'Andre Swift could open the door for Gerald Reynolds or another RB surviving the cutdown to 53.

Breshad Perriman is on the roster bubble.

Tom Kennedy likely needs a strong all around game against the Colts to survive the cutdown to 53.

My guess is the Lions # 3 TE for most of the upcoming regular season is currently not on the roster.

The backup Offensive Line has more questions than answers.

Charles Harris is probably around 50-50 whether he makes the 53 man roster. The Lions could realistically go with 11 combined Edge and Interior D-Line players. There's more quality on these units than at other position units on the roster.

Anthony Pittman and Tavante Beckett appear close in terms of which one will survive the cutdown to 53, if only 5 Inside LBs do, and Jahlani Tavai is released.

I think the 6 CBs listed will survive the cutdown to 53.

C.J. Moore or Will Harris could realistically end up getting released either as the Lions get down to 53 players or in the coming days that follow. Jalen Elliott has a chance to beat out Moore or Harris.

The Kicking job appears to be Randy Bullock's if he makes all of his kicks. Anything else could open the door for Zane Gonzalez.

[D6]

Erik’s Detroit Lions 53-man roster prediction 3.0

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I can envision Tyrell Crosby being placed on IR sometime after the cutdown to 53 but not before.

I would be surprised if Austin Bryant doesn't survive the cutdown.

Bobby Price will probably have to go the Practice Squad Route again.

[D6]

Kyle Meinke’s final Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection

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If the Lions go with a 4th RB ( not counting FB ) as part of getting down to 53 players by Tuesday Afternoon, Godwin Igwebuike will likely survive the cutdown if Special Teams is the # 1 criteria. If the # 1 criteria is upside potential, I think Craig Reynolds will likely beat out Igwebuike.

Unlike in the first two pre-season games, Brock Wright was used at TE early than Alize Mack. Wright doesn't have Mack's upside but Wright is more dependable. I don't think either should be on the 53 man roster until at least Wednesday. I doubt either would be claimed off waivers. Even if one or both were, they are easily replaceable as players

The extent of Logan Stenberg's injury will go along way in how the Lions proceed with him. Stenberg clearly has made significant progress this summer. He's still a major work in progress. But if his injury isn't for much of the season, it's probably best to put him on the 53 man roster as a result of the cutdown. With Short Term IR then becoming an option.

Because Nick Williams is a vested veteran, an option is to let Williams know he will be released as part of the Lions getting down to 53 players. Then, later in the week, the Lions would re-sign Williams ( he wouldn't be subject to the waiver claims process ), with Da'Shawn.Hand being placed on Short Term IR..

Though I'm not optimistic Tavante Beckett will survive the cutdown, I prefer Beckett over Pittman or Tavai if the Lions only keep 5 LBs on the roster. Tavai started in the Colts game at LB. He played noticeably better than at Pittsburgh. But he still seems too limited.

It looked like Will Harris wad kept out if this game. If that's the case, barring an injury, he will almost certainly survive the cutdown to 53. With Harris likely being counted on as the Lions 2nd or 3rd Safety.

The Kicker situation going into the Cutdown to 53 feels like the Tom Kennedy situation. Very uncertain.

[D6]

Lions 53-man roster projection following the final preseason game
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The only slight difference of opinion I have with Jeff Risdon regarding the Lions TE situation, as it pertains to roster logistics, is I'm less certain the Lions will even add a 3rd TE to the 53 man roster before Game # 1. I think there's a realistic possibility that a 3rd TE for at least the 1st game will be a Practice Squad Activation. Each team can activate 2 players from their P.S. for each game. I'm assuming this option can be used on a particular player only 2 times during the entire season. That was the case last season..

I agree with Jeff Risdon on his first 4 WRs. What he expressed regarding the 5th WR spot makes sense. My gut feeling at this moment is Breshad Perriman or Geronimo Allison ( who to his credit showed more on Offense and Specials combined than I expected ) will survive the cutdown to 53. With the Lions brass then assessing the Waiver Claim and Vested Veteran WR options.

I think the most likely outcome with Tom Kennedy is he will be released. With the hope that he won't be claimed off waivers. Kennedy is a much better fit for the P.S. than on the 53 man roster. This could change based on the injury factor for Lions Slot WRs. I think Kennedy has around a 49 % chance of surviving the cutdown to 53.

Unless John Penisini had an injury setback vs. the Colts, placing him on Short Term I.R. could lead to the NFL doing an investigation to see if it's warranted that Penisini is a viable Short Term I.R. candidate. Also, because most of the Lions interior D-Lineman are better fits as 3 or 5 Technique players than 0 or 1 Technique NTs,

John Penisini and Miles Brown remain candidates to be on the Lions 53 man roster. Alim McNeill is the only lock NT on the 80 man roster. What could realistically happen is Penisini and/ or Brown are signed to the Lions P.S. With one of them being activated to the Game Day roster in the early part of the season. Penisini probably is more likely to be claimed off waivers than Brown.

I don't think the Lions will outright cut Da'Shawn Hand. But I do believe he will land on Short Term I.R. sometime soon after Tuesday.

Unless proven otherwise, I'm assuming the Lions have a roster exemption with Jashon Cornell.

Like I mentioned earlier today, the Lions and Nick Williams can potentially come to an agreement in which Williams is released during the cutdown to 53. Then re-signed later in the week.

I think all 5 of the Edge / OLBs should and will survive the cutdown to 53. Charles Harris could get caught in a numbers game. But with Harris easily being one of the Lions best 53 players and the guaranteed money on his 2021 Lions contract factored in, I think Harris will survive the cutdown to 53. It's possible he would get released the day before the opener vs. the 49ers. With the plan of Harris be re-signed the day after the game. This way, his entire season salary wouldn't be guaranteed except for injury.

I think Jalen Reeves-Maybin survives the cutdown to 53 because he's a high level Special Teams player.

I definitely can envision the Lions only going with 4 Off the Ball / ILBs with the initial 53 man roster that will be in place Tuesday Night. Tavante Beckett is the only 1 of the 3 ILBs not part of Risdon's 53 man projection in this article that I'm concerned about the Lions losing in the Waiver Claims process. More likely than not, he won't be claimed. But if Brad Holmes and Co. see major long term upside with Beckett, it makes sense to not expose him to waivers. The other 2 ILBs are expendable.

I would be surprised if Mike Ford doesn't survive thee cutdown. Ford is one of the Lions most versatile DB and has been used as a starting Punt Gunner.

Jalen Elliott missed a tackle on the Colts game sealing TD run. I think the coaches on Defense and Special Teams like Elliott but not enough for him to survive the Cutdown. He will likely be unclaimed if released. With the Lions and Elliott likely agreeing on a Practice Squad contract.

[D6]

The following is my Lions 2021 Roster Projection following the cutdown to 53. With approximate chances of players surviving the cutdown if the range is between 25 % and 75 %.


Quarterbacks ( 3 )

1. Jared Goff
2. Tim Boyle ( Short Term IR Candidate)
3. David Blough

RBs / FBs ( 5 )

1. DeAndre Swift
2. Jamaal Williams
3. Jason Cadinda ( FB )
4. Jerman Jefferson
5. Godwin Igwebuike ( 52 %).

Players falling short that have a 25% to near 50 % chance:

1.. Craig Reynolds (48 % ).
2.. Dedrick Mills ( 39 % )


WRs ( 4 )

1. Tyrell Williams
2. Kalif Raymond
3. Amon-Ra St.Brown
4. Quentez Cephus



Players falling short that have a 25% to near 50 % chance:

1. Brashad Perriman 49%
2. Tom Kennedy 49 %
3. Geronimo Allison 47 %



TEs ( 2 )

1. T.J. Hockenson
2. Darren Fells

Players falling short that have a 25% to near 50 % chance:

1. Brock Wright 47 %
2. Alize Mack 42 %

Offensive Lineman ( 9 )

1. Taylor Decker
2. Penei Sewell
3. Frank Ragnow
4. Jonah Jackson
5. Hala.Vaitai
6. Tyrell Crosby ( Short Term IR candidate )
7. Evan Brown 68 %
8. Matt Nelson 55 %
9. Logan Stenberg 54 % ( Short Term IR Candidate.


Players falling short that have a 25% to near 50 % chance:

1. Tommy Kraemer ( 45 %)
2. Dan Skipper ( 40 % ) Long or Short Term I.R. Candidate

Interior Defensive Lineman ( 8 )

Edge / OLBs. ( 5 )

1. Trey Flowers
2. Romeo Okwara
3.Julian Okwara
4. Austin Bryant
5. Charles Harris 59 %


Interior Defensive Lineman ( 7 )
1. Michael Brockers
2. Levi Onwuzurike
3. Alim McNeill
4. Da'Shawn Hand ( Short Term IR Candidate )
5. Kevin Strong ( 53% )
6. Nick Williams ( 51% ). As a Vested Veteran, Nick Williams could be re-signed later in the week if released in the cutdown to 53. I think there's a 75 % chance Williams will be with the Lions in the regular season.
7. Bruce Hector ( 51% )

Players falling short that have a 25% to near 50 % chance:

1. John Penisini ( 47% ). Short Term IR might be possible.
2. Miles Brown 38 %

NFL Suspended List:

1. Jashon Cornell

1. ( 48 % )


Off the Ball / ILBs ( 5)

1. Jamie Collins
2. Alex Anzalone
3. Derrick Barnes
4. Jalen Reeves-Maybin
5. Anthony Pittman 51 %

Players falling short that have a 25% to near 50 % chance:

1. Jahlani Tavai 48 %
2. Tavante Beckett 44 % ( I hope he survives the cutdown )

I went with Anthony Pittman as the final player on the Lions initial 53 man roster. I think he offers more Special Teams value than any of the WRs in the mix for a potential # 5 Initial WR spot. Because Geronimo Allison is a Vested Veteran, the Lions could still re-sign him if he's released in the cutdown to 53.


CBs ( 6)

1. Jeff Okudah
2. Amani Oruwariye
3. Ifeatu Melifonwu
4. A.J. Parker.
5. Mike Ford 75 %
6. Nickell Robey-Coleman 51 %

Players falling short that have a 25% to near 50 % chance:

1. Corn Elder 49 %
2. Jerry Jacobs 30 %

S ( 4 )

1. Tracy Walker
2. Will Harris
3. Dean Marlowe
4. C.J. Moore ( 69 % )


Players falling short that have a 25% to near 50 % chance:

1. Jalen Elliott ( 48 % )

Special Teams is why Jalen Elliott is this high.


Specialists ( 3 )

1..Jack Fox ( P )
2. Scott Daly (LS)
3. Randy Bullock ( K )( 51% )


1. Zane Gonzalez ( 49 % )

[D6]

Ben Raven’s final Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection

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In addition to being a Short Term I.R. candidate, Logan Stenberg also could be a Long Term I.R. candidate. So much depends on the extent of his injury. And, if the Lions brass believes that if relatively healthy by sometime in the next several weeks, Stenberg would be a better option at Guard than what the Lions anticipate other options being.

Michael Barnett was released in the last couple of weeks. Edge/ OLB Rashod Berry is the player not accounted for in this 53 man roster projection article. Berry showed promise, especially against the Colts. He likely will get serious P.S. consideration by the Lions.

[D6]

Justin Rogers’ final Detroit Lions’ roster projection

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Javon McKinley likely will clear waivers, if he's released as expected. McKinley is the Lions outside WR who I believe will be released by the team that I hope the Lions end up signing to the P.S.