The Detroit Lions came out of their first preseason game with a loss, but the more interesting result was what happened beneath the scoreboard. The backup quarterback race looks a lot tighter than expected, and the offensive line, despite all the turnover at tackle, center and guard, may be settling in faster than anyone would have guessed.
That gives us a first real crack at projecting the Lions’ 53-man roster before the August 31 cutdown deadline. They still have two preseason games left to sort through the depth chart, but the first game already offered enough clues to start drawing some lines.
At quarterback, the safest read is Jared Goff and Josh Dobbs making the roster, with UDFA Luke Altmyer landing on the practice squad if the Lions can keep him there. Altmyer showed enough in his preseason debut to be noticed, but Dobbs was working through a new playbook and roster while still getting first-team snaps in the limited reps he received. The risk is obvious, though necessary: Detroit did not carry two quarterbacks last season, and a team with more urgency at the position could always try to poach Altmyer.
Wide receiver looks more straightforward on the surface, with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams as the clear headliners.
Isaac TeSlaa is still fighting through a camp that hasn’t exactly been dominant, but his value as an athletic red-zone target keeps him in the mix. Greg Dortch also earns a spot in this projection because he brings something on offense and on special teams.
The backfield projection includes Jahmyr Gibbs, Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki and Jacob Saylors. Vaki has been under pressure from Saylors for the backup work behind Gibbs and Pacheco, but Dan Campbell hasn’t shown any sign that Vaki has lost his footing in camp. He’s also back after dealing with a broken nose, which should help him stay in the conversation.
Tight end is shaped by Sam LaPorta’s return, which matters a lot for this offense. His presence helps the passing game and also takes some of the blocking burden off Gibbs, who has struggled in that area. Brock Wright and Charlie Conklin are the backups in this projection, with Wright coming off a so-so run in reserve duty last season.
Up front, the Lions appear to be developing Dan Frazier as a tackle option after testing him there in the preseason opener. The early returns were rough, with multiple holding penalties wiping out offensive momentum, but the team’s plan is clear: they want him working at both tackle and guard.
That same flexibility is why this projection keeps four guards, with Tate Ratledge the likeliest lock at right guard even though he could also be asked to handle center with Cade Mays sidelined for a while. Seth McLaughlin is projected to start at center in Mays’ place, while Michael Niese rounds out the group, and the Lions could also turn to Ratledge or Scruggs there if needed.
On defense, the final edge spot is the one to watch. Ahmed Hassanein is the name to circle, but the battle sounds like it comes down to him and Lacy.
If Hassanein keeps stacking good work in camp and preseason, Lacy is the one who could get bumped. If Lacy stays productive, that decision gets a lot trickier.
The defensive tackle group looks much more settled. Alim McNeill and Tyleik Williams headline a five-man projection that also includes Levi Onwuzurike, Mekhi Wingo and Skyler Gill-Howard.
McNeill and Williams have drawn strong reviews throughout camp, while Onwuzurike and Wingo need to stay healthy through August to keep their spots. Gill-Howard has at least started to apply pressure to that group.
At linebacker, Jimmy Rolder’s hamstring injury opens the door for Devin White, who signed a one-year deal this month. White now has a real chance to grab a backup job, and he could even push Malcolm Rodriguez for the SAM role if camp and preseason keep trending his way. That said, the Lions will need more strong reports before that becomes a firm prediction.
Safety is tied to injury news elsewhere on the roster. Chuck Clark and Christian Izien are projected to start Week 1, with Avonte Maddox and Thomas Harper also making the team in this view.
Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch are likely headed to IR to open the season, with a return expected sometime in October. That makes Harper a bubble candidate even if he sticks here.
At cornerback and nickelback, D.J. Reed is the obvious anchor.
After that, the depth chart gets crowded in a hurry. Rock Ya-Sin and Nick Whiteside are still battling for the CB2 job, but neither looks like a real cut candidate.
Keith Abney II has started getting first-team work at nickelback, which suggests Detroit may not be sold on Roger McCreary in that role. Ennis Rakestraw Jr. also makes the roster in this projection.
Special teams could end up being the swing factor for Saylors and Kennedy. If both can prove useful there, the Lions would have a straightforward reason to keep them around as return options.
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TeSlaa has been honest about where the next step has to come, saying his game still needs refinement in the finishing phase after those early struggles. He also has not sounded shaken by the inconsistency, pointing to his confidence in catching the football and his belief that the more reps he gets, the more the details around his routes and final movement will start to catch up. [Read more 🡒]