Lions reach the 53 roster limit after cutdown (2023 season)

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2023 Detroit Lions finalize initial 53-man roster

Lions final roster cutdowns includes a couple of surprises

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This new thread relates to the following threads:

Lions projected 53 man roster ( 2023 season )

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1823/lions-projected-roster-2023-season

Lions 26, Panthers 17: Pre-Season Game # 3 (2023)

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1862/lions-panthers-season-game-2023

Lions cut DT Christian Covington,T Germaine Ifedi,-11 others

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1863/lions-christian-covington-germaine-ifedi

Lions cut G Kayode Awosika, QB Adrian Martinez. Roster at 70

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1866/kayode-awosika-adrian-martinez-roster

Lions waive WR Dylan Drummond

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1865/lions-waive-wr-dylan-drummond

Lions waive CB Chase Lucas

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1867/lions-waive-cb-chase-lucas

Lions release TE Darnell Daniels

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1868/lions-release-te-darnell-daniels

Lions activate CB Emmanuel Moseley from the PUP list

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1869/lions-activate-emmanuel-moseley-list

Lions waive S Brandon Joseph

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1870/lions-waive-brandon-joseph

Lions release RB Benny Snell

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1871/lions-release-rb-benny-snell

Lions waive CB Starling Thomas V

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1872/lions-waive-cb-starling-thomas


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Regarding the Lions releasing Craig Reynolds, I wasn't aware he was an NFL Vested Veteran, hence not subject to the waiver claim process.

The Over the Cap Website lists Craig Reynolds being a RFA in 2024. Hence, based on that, Reynolds wouldn't even be an UFA until 2025, assuming he had Accrued seasons in 2023 and 2024.

overthecap.com/player/craig-reynolds/8540

If I was aware Craig Reynolds was a Vested Veteran, I would have kept my prior to the Pre-Season finale at Carolina projection at a 53 % chance of Reynolds surviving the Cutdown to 53. With a note that I included for some Vested Veterans:

( As a Vested Veteran, he could be released, and re-signed later in the week).

I'm of the opinion that Craig Reynolds will be re-signed to the 53 man roster later this week.

Regarding players that the news of their release wasn't reported until the Lions made the Official Announcement at or slightly after 6:00PM ET today:

Maurice Alexander will probably be the 2nd highest priority of the Lions WRs released this week to sign to the Practice Squad. I expect him to clear waivers. Dylan Drummond is the highest priority of the WRs. I'm anticipating the Lions signing at least 2 WRs to the initial Practice Squad if only 5 WRs are on the 53 man roster.

Brady Breeze very likely will clear waivers. I think Brandon Joseph is ahead of Breeze in terms of Priority to sign to the Practice Squad. Both could be signed to the P.S., if they clear waivers and the likely outcome of Ifeatu Melifonwu being placed on the Regular Season/ Short Term IR list.

Cory Durden got caught in a numbers game. In a typical Lions season, he would have likely survived the Cutdown to 53 as an UDRFA, based on his play this summer. I think there's at or around a 45 % chance Durden is claimed off waivers. If the Lions are fortunate that Durden clears waivers, I think he will be the Lions top Defensive Line Practice Squad priority.

Trevor Nowaske has about a 30 % chance to be claimed off waivers. If as expected he clears waivers, I think he will be the Lions top priority Off the Ball LB. Special Teams is his ticket to the 53 man roster.

Chris Smith will very likely clear waivers. If Durden is claimed off waivers, the Lions probably will try to sign Smith to the P.S. either this week or sometime during the season.

Great decision by Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell of including Julian Okwara and Ifeatu Melifonwu on the Lions initial 53 man roster. I anticipate both players being placed on the Regular Season/ Short Term IR list. Julian Okwara is edge rusher insurance for the Lions, later this season.'Iffy' displayed noticeable improvement in the pre-season, before suffering another injury.

There was no public information that I was aware that mentioned Chase Cota suffered an injury at Carolina in the pre-season finale or sometime after that. That Lions practiced yesterday (Monday). My guess is Cota will be back with the Lions either later this season (if the injury doesn't prevent him from being cleared for practice) beginning on the Practice Squad or in the 2024 off-season.

It's possible, not probable, Khalil Dorsey will be placed on Short Term IR this week, as a result of the injury he suffered at Carolina.

Steven Gilmore is the Lions only 2023 UDRFA to survive the Initial Cutdown to 53. Great job by Gilmore with his perseverance.

[D6]

Presenting the Detroit Lions initial 53-man roster for 2023

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I inadvertently didn't mention Brad Cecil in the initial message of this thread. Cecil was one of the players let go by the Lions, who wasn't mentioned as being let go until the Lions Official Announcement at or a little after 6:00pm ET.

The chances of Cecil being claimed off waivers tomorrow are closer to none than slim.

If the Lions sign either Brad Cecil or Alex Mollette to the Practice Squad, I prefer Mollette. Having said that, Cecil started ahead of Mollette in the final two pre-season games. A Center option who wasn't with the Lions this summer probably would be the best way the Lions should proceed. Having Mollette or Cecil on the Practice Squad as well until a newly added Center becomes familiar with the Lions playbook and practicing exchanges with the Lions QBs would make sense.

I think one of the Lions roster additions this week will be to re-sign Craig Reynolds, with Reynolds being the Lions # 3 RB/ HB

A 2nd addition will very likely be on the Offensive Side of the ball as well. It could be at any of the Lions position units on Offense, including # 4 RB/ HB. It could very realistically be a waiver claim.

Even though it looks like now former Lions T-G Germaine Ifedi is going to sign with the Bills this week, I believe the Lions will have a 9th Offensive Lineman on the 53 man roster at some point in the next few weeks. This would give the Lions more Game Day Roster depth and flexibility. Bobby Hart remains a candidate.

[D6]

5 biggest surprises for the Lions 53-man initial roster

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Jameson Williams is already on the NFL Suspended List.

The 2 greatest surprises to me, regarding the Lions roster decisions to get down to 53 players, are:

1. CB Starling Thomas V being waived. This decision ranks amongst the greatest surprises of a Lions player being released in order to get down to the NFL Roster Limit, in many decades.
2. WR Dylan Drummond being waived. While it's much less of a surprise than Thomas being waived, I thought Drummond had an approximate 56% chance of surviving the cutdown to 53. I thought Thomas had an 80% chance being waived.

The reason why I'm not including Craig Reynolds on a surprise list is I wasn't aware he was a Vested Veteran. If Reynolds isn't on the Lions 53 man roster by the time Wednesday Practice begins for the home opener vs. the Seahawks, then I would consider him an even greater roster cut surprise than Thomas.

[D6]

Detroit Lions’ unconventional roster construction is all about keeping talent

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Unless Khalil Dorsey is heading to Short Term IR, which probably isn't the case, I would have preferred the Lions to expose Dorsey to waivers instead of Starling Thomas V. The Ravens and Giants moved on from Dorsey in recent years. IHMO, even though Dorsey did a good job at CB and on Special Teams in the pre-season, it was more likely that Dorsey would have cleared waivers than an UDRFA like Thomas who has speed to burn.

I'm skeptical that the Lions will find a significant upgrade over Riley Patterson, without paying a heavy price in trade compensation.

[D6]

Rogers: Five quick reactions to the Detroit Lions’ initial 53-man roster

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This thread relates to the following threads:

Waiver Claim options for the Lions after the Cutdown to 53

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1875/waiver-claim-options-lions-cutdown?page=1&scrollTo=8870

Lions Practice Squad Options (2023 season)

detroit-lions-forum.proboards.com/thread/1874/lions-practice-squad-options-season

A surplus of Edge players on Defense can become a shortage quickly. It's much like with Starting Pitchers in Baseball.

Julian Okwara has the speed, bend, and overall movement skills that are very difficult to find on the open market / street during a season. At some point this season, Julian Okwara could easily be the difference in the Lions closing out one or more games.