As the Detroit Lions head into their final preseason game, a few roster questions still hang in the air, and not all of them can be answered by the players already in the building. Center, guard and safety remain the clearest spots where help could still be found.
Left guard is still unsettled, which is hardly ideal for Christian Mahogany. If he hasn’t taken firm control of that job by now, it raises the possibility that the team isn’t fully sold on him as a long-term starter there.
At center, the Lions are dealing with the loss of Cade Mays for the opening stretch of the season, leaving Juice Scruggs in line for work. The early signs on Scruggs at center have been positive, but depth remains a concern.
Safety is another area to watch. There’s still no firm timeline for Brian Branch or Kerby Joseph to return, and the best-case outlook has both of them sidelined until the end of October. That leaves room for another body to matter there.
With cuts coming by August 30, Detroit has a chance to scan the waiver field for developmental talent. A few surprise names could be available.
One option is Buffalo center Sedrick van Pran-Granger. The Bills appear set with Connor McGovern and Lloyd Cushenberry, which makes the former 2024 draft pick a possible casualty of numbers.
The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia noted that Pran-Granger is one of the tougher roster-bubble decisions Buffalo is likely facing this offseason. He called him “a solid developmental talent worth investing in,” but said the Bills simply may not have room for him.
Buscaglia also said Buffalo might stash him on injured reserve to keep other teams from getting a shot at him. If he does get cut, though, Detroit should be in the mix. The Lions are thin at center behind Scruggs, and while the Washington Commanders sit ahead of them in the waiver order and are also in need of help there, Detroit could still be positioned to pounce if things break right.
Another name to keep in mind is Green Bay safety Mark Perry. He has turned in a strong preseason and could be a useful depth add for Detroit if he hits the waiver wire.
Lombardi Ave. site expert Freddie Boston said of Perry’s roster chances in a crowded Packers safety room: “Mark Perry is in the mix after impressing in the preseason, but he may have to settle for a practice squad spot. With Hadden proving he can play in the slot, the Packers can comfortably keep four safeties on their initial 53-man roster.”
Perry also brings special teams value, which matters for a Lions team still looking for reliable gunners. He has already logged a takeaway and a pass deflection this preseason, and Detroit is looking to create more turnovers this year.
The last name on the list is Chargers guard Trevor Penning. He’s been in a left guard battle of his own in Los Angeles and, like Mahogany, still doesn’t have a locked-in role. That would make him a somewhat awkward fit for Detroit’s own uncertainty at the position, especially with Penning still trying to beat out Logan Taylor and Alex Harkey, a pair of rookies.
Even so, Penning could be worth a look if the Lions decide Miles Frazier’s development hasn’t gone far enough this offseason and Ben Bartch can’t use the final days of camp to prove he can back up Mahogany.
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Lions Still Have One O-Line Chance Worth Watching Closely
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Dan Campbell has already acknowledged that the competition for jobs is still unfolding, and that there could be chances to add help before the roster is finalized. The wrinkle for Detroit is that Washington is also expected to be active, which means the Lions may not get a long look at potential upgrades if another club moves first. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Suddenly Have Another Edge Rusher Problem This Summer
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Campbell has said those exhibition games will matter for players trying to win jobs, and Turners situation only adds to the urgency along the defensive front. His recent injury history has already made this a difficult stretch, and with the Lions continuing to work through their defensive line mix, the next few weeks should tell a lot about who is ready to hold up when the roster starts getting trimmed. [Read more 🡒]