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Post by D6 on Mar 27, 2022 16:09:12 GMT -5
Projecting the Lions current 53-man roster
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This new thread relates to the following thread:
Lions 2022 season preview
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1385/lions-2022-season-preview
If the decision for the Lions comes down to David Blough vs. Godwin Igwebuike, I give Igwebuike the edge providing that Jared Goff and Tim Boyle are relatively healthy. With Blough very likely clearing waivers and offered a Practice Squad Contract.
Even though Tom Kennedy has more Special Teams value than Quintez Cephus, Kennedy hasn't demonstrated high level Special Teams skills. Cephus is the better receiver. I believe Cephus would beat out Kennedy for a roster spot, providing the Lions aren't dealing with a significant injury situation with the Slot Receivers.
While I do believe Matt Nelson has the inside track for an opening day roster spot, the Lions can use a better Offensive Tackle option as the first Tackle off the bench. Nelson is best used as an extra blocker.
I don't believe that Ryan McCollum is locked into a roster spot. That much more if the Lions brass is comfortable with Evan Brown as the team's primary backup Guard option. For the contract terms Lions have Brown under contract, there's a good chance the team brass considers Brown the primary backup Guard option.
Of the current Defensive Lineman, the 9th spot probably would come down to Bruce Hector vs. Jashon Cornell. The latter needs to finally remain relatively healthy to have a realistic chance at being on the Lions 53 man roster, when the regular season begins.
Unless the Lions Safety situation improves considerably than what it currently is, one of the Lions LBs could easily be a hybrid type of player who gets plenty of snaps in Nickel and Dime situations.
I'm skeptical that the Lions would give Jeff Okudah more practice reps and pre-season snaps at Slot CB, compared to Outside CB. With Okudah coming off a major injury, the transition to a substantially different role would be more difficult than it's probably worth.
The Lions probably will release one of the current Kickers sometime in the off-season. Then, enter Training Camp with two of the Kickers currently on the team's roster. All 3 Kickers have a realistic shot of being the Lions opening Day Kicker.
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Post by D6 on Jul 27, 2022 3:22:21 GMT -5
Predicting the Detroit Lions 53-man roster prior to training camp
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At this time, I would be surprised if the Lions kept 6 RBs (5 Halfbacks) most of the season.
Quintez Cephus and Trinity Benson will likely be in competition for a final WR roster spot, either for the opening day roster or during the season. The timing depends greatly on when Jamison Williams will be on the active roster.
With James Mitchell cleared to practice at the beginning of Training Camp, there's likely one TE spot up for grabs.
Based on the Lions current roster, it would probably make sense to only go with the 8 Offensive Lineman listed or Logan Stenberg over Tommy Kraemer.
With Romeo Okwara and Josh Paschal beginning Training Camp on the PUP List, uncertainty and opportunity are themes at DE for the Lions.
I agree with the DT assessment.
Alex Anzalone, Chris Board, and Derrick Barnes will very likely be the Lions opening day 53 man roster, if relatively healthy. After them, 2 or 3 off the ball LB spots are up for grabs.
Jerry Jacobs begins training camp on the PUP List.
When the dust settles, I believe the Lions will go with 6 CBs most of the regular season.
DeShon Elliott was cleared for the start of training camp. I believe the Lions will keep the 5 on the Opening Day Roster. With the 5 that Jeff Risdon is projecting the 5 that I think will be on the Opening Day Roster.
The Kicking Battle is up for grabs. It looks like Austin Seibert has a stronger leg. With Riley Patterson being the more accurate Kicker on FGs that are less than 50 yards.
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Post by D6 on Aug 15, 2022 2:16:16 GMT -5
Projecting the Lions’ offense after first preseason game
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This thread relates to the following thread:
Falcons 27, Lions 23 : Pre-Season Game # 1 ( 2022 )
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1491/falcons-lions-season-game-2022
The fumble that led to the pre-season loss to the Falcons likely keeps Tim Boyle ahead of David Blough in the Lions evaluation process. This could easily even be the case of Blough plays earlier than Boyle in Indianapolis this coming Saturday.
After D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, Craig Reynolds, there's uncertainty at RB with the Lions.
Quintez Cephus could be a candidate for Regular Season IR. For this to happen with Cephus being available to return during the regular season, he would need to be exposed to Waivers during the cutdown to 53.
A dropped Bubble Screen Pass by Trinity Benson vs. Atlanta is significant, knowing the struggles he had last season.
Of the Lions TEs, Devin Funchess probably gained the most ground in the quest for a roster spot. Funchess needs to have two strong weeks, both in practice and in pre-season games, to have a very realistic shot at being on the Lions opening day roster.
It looked like Kendall Lamm performed much better than Matt Nelson did, against the Falcons. At least with Lamm, Penei Sewell can remain at RT, if Taylor Decker is sidelined. If the cutdown to 53 was today, Logan Stenberg would likely be on the waiver wire.
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Post by D6 on Aug 15, 2022 2:50:47 GMT -5
Projecting the Detroit Lions' 53-man roster following the preseason opene
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If the Lions only keep 3 Halfbacks on the 53 man roster, it's likely that the Lions will have 2 Halfbacks on the Practice Squad. It's a realistic possibility that this will occur.
My guess at this time is all 7 WRs won't be on the Lions opening day roster, even if all 7 survive the cutdown to 53.
Assuming for the sake of discussion that James Mitchell survives the cutdown to 53, I think there's around a 50% chance the Lions will keep 4 TEs on the 53 roster early in the season.
I don't think the Lions coaches would be comfortable putting Matt Nelson at LT in a game. The decision on which backup Tackle to keep on the 53 man roster (if only one is keep) could easily come down to whether the team brass prefers to keep Penei Sewell at RT, if Taylor Decker goes down during a game.
The Lions probably are going to need to open the season with a 5th DT, because of Levi Onwuzurike's health situation.
Austin Bryant fits the Lions culture and has had a strong summer. I think he will be on the opening day 53 man roster.
James Houston seems to be on the roster bubble at this time. Very close call.
Because of Jarrad Davis showing in the 2020 season that he can play Special Teams on a Winning Level, I think he will make the Lions opening day 53 man roster, if he builds on his pre-season performance vs. the Falcons.
Jerry Jacobs is an X factor, in terms of whether he will be activated from the PUP List before the cutdown to 53.
Bobby Price and Chase Lucas appear to be on the Roster Bubble at this time.
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Post by D6 on Aug 15, 2022 11:00:54 GMT -5
Projecting the Lions’ defense after first preseason game
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I'm going under the assumption that Josh Paschal will be on the Regular Season PUP list. Between Paschal's injury and him missing at least the first 20 days of training camp, it's not likely that Paschal will be ready for the beginning of the regular season.
Romeo Okwara's situation seems more up in the air. As of now, I'm going to project him to begin the season on the Regular Season PUP list, though it wouldn't be surprising on this end if Okwara is removed from the PUP list sometime before the cutdown to 53.
Like I expressed early this morning, I'm anticipating Austin Bryant will be on the Lions opening day 53 man roster.
I think James Houston and Anthony Pittman are competing for a roster spot, though both could lose out if 5 DTs survive the cutdown to 53 and Josh Woods secures a roster spot at LB. Woods is arguably the Lions best Special Teams coverage player and performed well as a LB in the pre-season opener vs. the Falcons.
Jashon Cornell, Isaiah Buggs, John Cominsky, and Demetrius Taylor are in a battle for at least 1 DT spot. More likely than not, 2, unless Levi Onwuzurike demonstrates in the next 2 weeks that he's relatively healthy. Cominsky's versatility as a DE on early downs and as a DT on expected passing downs, coupled with him being a Dan Campbell type of player from an intangible standpoint, helps his cause. The size factor helps Buggs cause. Cornell has talent but needs to make a greater impact than he did vs the Falcons. The key regarding the decision with Taylor is the risk/ reward assessment of exposing him to waivers, with the hope of signing him to the Practice Squad. The same regarding James Houston.
Right now, it looks like Shaun Dion Hamilton is significantly behind the other LBs in his quest to survive the cutdown to 53.
What also helps Bobby Price is he's one of the Lions best Gunner options on Punt Coverage.
The following should read, Patterson, "on the other hand, is way more accurate but is inconsistent when the field goal attempt is over 50 yards".
To Riley Patterson's credit, he has improved his distance, especially on Kickoffs. It more likely than not won't be enough to beat out Austin Siebert for the Lions Kicking job at the start of the regular season. But Patterson probably will get enough NFL regular season opportunity, if he's released by the Lions.
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Post by D6 on Aug 21, 2022 17:10:55 GMT -5
Detroit Lions roster projection 2.0: Why Tom Kennedy is still on the wrong side of the bubble
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This thread relates to the following thread:
Lions 27, Colts 26 :Pre-Season Game # 2 ( 2022 )
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1498/lions-colts-season-game-2022
For the Lions to place Jason Cabinda on Short Term IR, he would have to be on the Lions 53 man roster following the cutdown to 53. I think this is the most likely outcome with him.
Quintez Cephus doesn't have much Special Teams value. If Special Teams determines the final WR spot for the Cutdown to 53, Maurice Alexander will probably survive the Cutdown.
James Mitchell is coming off a torn ACL. He was drafted in the latter part of Round 5. Many believed Mitchell would begin Training Camp on the PUP List. I would be surprised if the Lions exposed him to waivers. There's a good chance the Lions begin the Regular Season with 4 TEs on the 53 man roster.
I think the Lions are more likely than not go with 8 Offensive Lineman in getting the roster down to 53. Then look for an addition or replacement Tackle.
Tommy Kraemer has a good chance at being on the Lions opening day 53 man roster. In addition to him probably being the best backup Guard option on the roster, he also received pre-season game snaps at Center. He's clearly the Lions # 3 Center.
Jashon Cornell and Isaiah Buggs both could get released in the cutdown to 53. With one of them being brought back, with Levi Onwuzurike being placed on Short Term IR . At this point in time, I'm of the opinion the Lions would be willing to expose both Cornell and Buggs to waivers.
Anthony Pittman, Jarrad Davis, Josh Woods, and Shaun Dion Hamilton are probably batting for 1 roster spot. Two at most.
Kyle Meincke listed the names of 11 DBs in his current Lions 53 man roster projection. In the 'Secondary' title, he wrote 10. Hence, one of the names would have to be removed from the Secondary or another position unit. Bobby Price and C.J. Moore could be in a battle for a roster spot in the Secondary that's Special Teams oriented.
A huge X factor at CB is whether Jerry Jacobs will be placed on the Regular Season PUP List? If Jacobs isn't activated from the PUP List this week, I think he will be placed on the Regular Season PUP List. Jacobs probably will be in contention for the Lions Primary Nickel/ Slot CB spot, at some point during the season. The current Lions Nickel Back situation seems cloudy.
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Post by D6 on Aug 25, 2022 4:01:52 GMT -5
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Post by D6 on Aug 25, 2022 15:41:32 GMT -5
Lions 53-man roster projection heading into the preseason finale
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I agree that it's likely only 4 RBs will survive the Lions cutdown to 53. But it seems like a close 3 way race for the last spot between Godwin Igwebuike, Jermar Jefferson, and Justin Jackson.
While I believe 6 WRs surviving the cutdown to 53 is the most likely outcome, it's probably a 4 way close battle for the final 2 spots. Trinity Benson, Quintez Cephus, Tom Kennedy, and Maurice Alexander all are at or relatively close to the roster bubble. Right now, Trinity Benson is the most likely of the 4 to survive the cutdown.
I'm currently more confident that Tommy Kraemer survives the cutdown to 53 than Matt Nelson. While Nelson is probably at 50% or slightly higher to survive the cutdown, the versatility that Kraemer offers in the Interior O-Line makes him too valuable to expose to waivers.
Right now, I'm of the opinion that Demetrius Taylor survives the cutdown. I think there's more than some minor risk Taylor is claimed off waivers. The Lions would be playing with fire exposing Taylor to waivers. Jashon Cornell needs a strong performance in Pittsburgh to show that he can be part of a winning formula.
Josh Woods is probably at or close to 50-50 on the bubble. IMHO, he's too valuable on Special Teams to expose to waivers.
Amani Oruwariye, Jeff Okudah, and Will Harris are the only Lions CBs that I believe are roster locks, barring something unforeseen. Jerry Jacobs won't be released in the cutdown to 53 but he could be placed on the Regular Season PUP list. The other CBs are in a battle for 2 or more spots.
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Post by D6 on Aug 28, 2022 5:05:45 GMT -5
Predicting the Lions roster battles prior to the final cutdowns
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While the Lions have at least 7 WRs on the current 80 man roster that belong on an NFL 53 man roster, I don't think the Lions will go with as many as 7 WRs following the cutdown to 53 and on the opening day roster.
I believe either 4 TEs will survive the cutdown to 53 or a TE who doesn't survive the cutdown to 53 will be on the Lions opening day roster. Possibly, as a Practice Squad call-up for the game.
IMHO, it's more risky to expose Josh Woods to waivers than Anthony Pittman or Jarrad Davis.
I can envision as many as 12 DBs surviving the cutdown to 53. If that happens, one of the Lions backup Safeties dealing with an injury will probably be placed on Short Term IR.
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Post by D6 on Aug 28, 2022 15:01:47 GMT -5
Detroit Lions’ roster tiers after two preseason games
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This article was written before the Lions trimmed the roster to 80 players.
Lions need to Cutdown Roster to 80 players by Tues. Aug. 23
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1500/lions-cutdown-roster-players-tues
Brock Wright and A.J. Parker will likely survive the cutdown to 53. But going into the pre-season finale in Pittsburgh, I wouldn't consider them locks.
I think both Austin Bryant and Julian Okwara should be in the Locks category.
Demetrius Taylor should at the very least be in the On the Bubble Category. Justin Jackson, Dan Skipper, and Saivion Smith might be as well, heading into to the pre-season finale. |
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Post by D6 on Aug 29, 2022 2:26:34 GMT -5
This thread relates to the following threads:
Steelers 19, Lions 9 : Pre-Season Game # 3 ( 2022 )
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1507/steelers-lions-season-game-2022
Do any Lions roster bubble players have trade value?
detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1506/lions-roster-bubble-players-trade
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The following is my annual Lions percentage chances of players surviving the cutdown to 53 players.
**** Won't be released in Cutdown to 53 but could be placed on Season Ending IR (Levi Onwuzurike, Ifeatu Melifonwu) or Regular Season PUP list ( Jerry Jacobs).
I didn't list any player 50%, as I want to differentiate who I project to survive the cutdown.
The 4 players that are closest to 50% from my point of view are Quintez Cephus, Josh Woods, Godwin Igwebuike, and C.J. Moore.
QB (2)
1. Jared Goff 100 %
2. David Blough 55 %
3. Tim Boyle 40 %
RB (4)
1.D'Andre Swift 100 %
2.Jaamal Williams 100 %
3 Craig Reynolds 62 %
4.Justin Jackson 51 %
5.Godwin Igwebuike 49 %
6.Jermar Jefferson 40%
WR (6)
1. D.J. Chark 100 %
2. Amon-Ra St. Brown 100 %
3. Josh Reynolds 100 %
4. Kalif Raymond 98 %
5. Trinity Benson 53 %
6. Quintez Cephus 51 %
7 Tom Kennedy 48 %
8. Maurice Alexander 37 %
9. Kalil Pimpleton 1 %
TE. (4)
1. T.J. Hockenson 100 %
2. Brock Wright 87 %
3. James Mitchell 65 %
4. Shane Zylstra 51 %
5. Devin Funchess 30 %
6. Derrick Deese Jr. 2 %
Offensive Lineman (9)
1. Taylor Decker 100 %
2. Jonah Jackson 100 %
3. Frank Ragnow 100 %
4. Penei Sewell 100 %
5. Halapoulivaati Vaitai 98 %
6. Evan Brown 96 %
7. Tommy Kraemer 61 %
8. Matt Nelson 53 %
9. Dan Skipper 52 %
10.Logan Stenberg 49 %
11.Kendall Lamm 38 %
12.Darrin Paulo 10 %
13.Obinna Eze 1 %
14.Kevin Jarvis 1 %
Defensive Lineman (9)
1. Aidan Hutchinson 100 %
2. Charles Harris 100 %
3. Alim McNeill 100 %
4. Michael Brockers 100 %
5. Austin Bryant 99 %
6. Julian Okwara 99 %
7. John Cominsky 79 %
8 Levi Onwuzurike 70 % ****
9. Isaiah Buggs 51 %
10.Demetrius Taylor 49 %
11.Jashon Cornell 45 %
12 James Houston 41 %
13. Bruce Hector 35 %
14. Eric Banks 31 %
LB (5)
1. Alex Anzalone 100 %
2. Malcolm Rodriquez 100%
3. Derrick Barnes 100 %
4. Chris Board 87 %
5. Josh Woods 51 %
6. Jarrad Davis 48 %
7. Anthony Pittman 47 &
CB (7)
1. Amani Oruwariye 100 %
2. Jeff Okudah 100 %
3. Will Harris 100 %
4. Jerry Jacobs 56 % ****
5. Bobby Price 54 %
6. Mike Hughes 53 %
7. A.J. Parker 52 %
8. Chase Lucas 48 %
9. Saivion Smith 47 %
10. Mark Gilbert 31 &
11. Cedric Boswell 1 %
Safeties (4)
1. Tracy Walker 100 %
2. DeShon Elliott 100 %
3. Kerby Joseph 100 %
4. Ifeatu Melifonwu 80 % ****
5. C.J. Moore 49 %
6. JuJu Hudges 40 %
Specialists (3)
1. Jack Fox (P) 100 %
2. Scott Daly (LS) 100 %
3. Austin Siebert (K) 74%
4. Riley Patterson (K) 26 % |
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Post by D6 on Aug 29, 2022 11:46:12 GMT -5
Kyle Meinke’s final Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection: No backup QBs worth a spot
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In the last two pre-season games, Dan Skipper improved to the extent that I think he will be on the Lions 53 roster following the cutdown to 53. If Skipper isn't and goes unclaimed off waivers (my guess is there's slightly more than a 50-50 % chance he would be claimed, the Lions will either re-sign him, or make him a Practice Squad priority. Skipper looks like he's by far the best backup Pass Blocking option at LT currently on the roster, for the Lions.
Ifeatu Melifonwu would be out for the entire season if the Lions place him on IR in the cutdown to 53. Much more likely than not, the Lions will keep Melifonwu on the 53 man roster until at least Wednesday at 12pm ET, when the Lions can place him on Short Term IR.
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Post by D6 on Aug 29, 2022 12:51:21 GMT -5
Ben Raven’s final Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection
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I definitely believe that Dan Skipper is a better LT pass blocking option than Matt Nelson. The latter is an asset as an extra blocker but I'm not even confident in Nelson as a RT, if needed to start multiple games at RT.
Hopefully, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell will find a place for Demetrius Taylor on the initial 53 man roster and beyond. My gut feeling though is the Lions will feel more comfortable exposing him to waivers, than with Isaiah Buggs, who could play a sizable role this season on early downs.
I just don't see the value of keeping Anthony Pittman on the initial 53 man roster.
My guess is Riley Patterson will be on another NFL 53 man roster at some point this season. Maybe, even this week.
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Post by D6 on Aug 29, 2022 14:03:58 GMT -5
Final Detroit Lions 53-man roster projection
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It wouldn't surprise me if the Lions only keep 4 LBs on the initial 53 man roster. Of the 3 remaining LB, Josh Woods is the one that I believe has the most value, and is most likely going to be claimed by another team. Woods is arguably the Lions best Special Teams player.
JuJu Hughes very likely won't be claimed off waivers. On Wednesday, the Lions should have the flexibility to re-sign him to the 53 man roster or the more likely outcome of signing him to the Practice Squad.
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Post by D6 on Aug 29, 2022 14:37:57 GMT -5
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