Predicting the Final Detroit Lions' 2012 53-Man Roster

Scott BischoffJun 7, 2018

The draft is over and rookies and undrafted free agents have just finished their rookie mini-camp. Teams can now carry 90 players on their offseason roster, and the Lions are using this as a way to see as many players as they can.

The 2012 edition of the Detroit Lions will have some new faces as well as some very familiar ones, but the Lions will have some tough choices as they trim the roster to 53 players before the first game of the season. As this team gets better, these decisions will get more difficult.

There is so much that can happen between now and then, from injuries to the addition of players via free agency. This is a very early look at what the makeup of the roster could look like.

Quarterbacks

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Quarterback:

Matt Stafford

Shaun Hill

Kellen Moore

Analysis:

There really isn't much to debate here unless Moore really struggles and the Lions consider bringing in a journeyman veteran to replace him. Moore is in a nice position here to learn and develop. New NFL rules allow for a third quarterback to dress for games without counting against the 45-man active roster.

Potential Tough Call:

The Detroit Lions might look to add a veteran quarterback to the mix at some point before or during training camp. To do so, Kellen Moore would go the practice squad, but that would expose him to other teams looking for a young quarterback to develop.

Running Backs

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Running Back:

Jahvid Best

Mikel Leshoure

Kevin Smith

Joique Bell

Analysis:

The Lions are filled with talent at the position, but these players are historically a banged up group. Best is very concussion prone and there are questions about Leshoure's ability to return from his Achilles tear. Smith is a battler but has a very hard time staying in the field. On paper, this is a talented group that should provide a nice compliment to the potent passing game. The game is not played on paper though, and these guys need to stay healthy.

Potential Tough Call:

It is rumored that the Lions have offered a contract to veteran running back Ryan Grant. If Grant or another veteran back is added it brings up the possibility of Joique Bell being cut because there are only 53 roster spots. One thing that adds to Bell's value is his ability to play special teams.

Wide Receiver

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Wide Receiver:

Calvin Johnson

Nate Burleson

Titus Young

Ryan Broyles

Stefan Logan

Patrick Edwardes

Analysis:

The Lions have a great group of starters at the position, and the only questions are how they fill out the roster. The Lions got great production from their starters in 2011, and 2012 should be no different. As long as they don't have any injuries, this group of receivers should be as productive as any other group in the NFL.

Potential Tough Call:

The decisions that the Lions will have to make with this group are very tough. The questions come from a special teams standpoint and current injury concerns. Maurice Stovall was a special teams ace in 2011 and his value is really underrated. The Lions will need to replace his value.

Ryan Broyles needs to get healthy heading into training camp, or he could start the season on the PUP list. If that happens it might pave the way for a young player like Patrick Edwards to make the 53-man roster because of his ability to return punts.

If the Lions get Broyles healthy, it could put Stefan Logan's status in doubt because of the new kickoff rules and the ability for younger players to do Logan's job. Look for this position to be a hot spot in training camp.

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Tight End

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Tight End:

Brandon Pettigrew

Tony Scheffler

Will Heller

Analysis:

This is the most solid area of the Lions roster from a stability perspective. There are really no moves that should be considered here barring something unforeseen.

Offensive Tackle

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Offensive Tackle:

Jeff Backus

Gosder Cherilus

Riley Reiff

Corey Hilliard

Jason Fox

Analysis:

The Lions added a really nice piece during the 2012 NFL draft in Riley Reiff. He is a future left tackle for the Detroit Lions, and his development is critical to their long term success. Hilliard is position versatile, and Jason Fox should get one more year to prove himself. He needs to stay healthy to show the Lions what his value is.

Potential Tough Call:

The Lions might be forced into making a roster cut at the tackle spot. If Jason Fox can't stay healthy he could be a casualty as the final roster gets set. They have spent a lot of time developing both Hilliard and Fox, but this might be the year that they have to sever ties with one of them. As the Lions get better, these decisions will get more difficult.

Guard

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Offensive Guard:

Rob Sims

Stephen Peterman

Analysis:

Rob Sims came to the Lions in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, and he has done a very nice job solidifying the left side of the offensive line. He is a solid lineman and is an underrated player that stands out because you rarely hear his name. Peterman is a player that struggles with penalties. An upgrade at right guard would be a good thing for the Lions.

Potential Tough Call:

There really aren't any tough calls here because the Lions are pretty set at the position. There is realistically only one way that a move is made here and that is if the Lions acquire a veteran to come in and upgrade the position. Riley Reiff is a tackle, but he can play guard, so there is a possibility he could take Peterman's job at some point during the season.

Center

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Center:

Dominic Raiola

Dylan Gandy

Analysis:

The Lions are pretty set at the center position in 2012. There are no moves to be made here.

Defensive End

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Defensive End:

Kyle Vanden Bosch

Cliff Avril

Willie Young

Lawrence Jackson

Ronnell Lewis

Analysis:

The defensive end group for the Lions is very talented and is pretty set. They are a productive group of players that can get pressure on the quarterback, and they can finish as well. The defensive ends need to continue to put as much pressure as they can on the opposition to make up for the lack of elite cornerback play.

Potential Tough Call:

There is realistically nothing that will change with this group. There is always a chance that a veteran could come in as a rotational piece, but that looks to be a long shot at this point.

Defensive Tackle

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Defensive Tackle:

Ndamukong Suh

Nick Fairley

Corey Williams

Sammie Lee Hill

Andre Fluellen

Analysis:

This is a position of strength for the Detroit Lions, and it needs to continue it's dominant ways in 2012. As with the defensive ends, the tackles need to get pressure on the quarterback from the interior of the defense to help out with the secondary play. If it can, look for the Lions to have a nice season.

Potential Tough Call:

Andre Fluellen is on the hot seat here and is a potential player that could get cut late in camp. The Lions need to pressure the quarterback as much as possible, and Fluellen could lose out to a player like Ronnell Lewis, who can pressure the quarterback and play special teams.

Linebacker

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Linebacker:

Stephen Tulloch

DeAndre Levy

Justin Durant

Ashlee Palmer

Doug Hogue

Travis Lewis

Analysis:

It is great to get Stephen Tulloch locked up, and he should be as productive again in 2012 playing in the middle of this defense. The Lions have a nice mix of very good starting linebackers and solid developmental players. This is a thin group from an experience perspective, and as long as injuries don't hit them, the position is good.

Potential Tough Call:

In the new NFL a player needs to be able to make his mark in multiple areas. To play linebacker in a depth role, you have to be able to play special teams at a high level, and the players that make this roster are the ones who will make an impact on special teams early. This is one hot spot in camp because Lewis and Whitehead will battle for the last roster spot at linebacker. Look for Tahir Whitehead to start the season on the practice squad.

Cornerback

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Cornerback:

Chris Houston

Aaron Berry

Jacob Lacey

Bill Bentley

Chris Greenwood

Analysis:

This is the position that most fans want the Lions to upgrade, and it is this position that currently causes normal, rational-thinking Lions fans to lose their minds. It was out in full force on draft day when they ignored the position for two rounds. Houston is a good player, and it is no coincidence that the secondary really struggled when he was banged up.

Berry is a decent cornerback, but he's not a player most are going to feel good about if he enters the season as the team's number two cornerback. Lacey comes over as a free agent, and he will battle Berry for the number two job. Bentley and Greenwood are exciting prospects and will make the team because of the Lions' desire to not lose them if they try to put them on the practice squad.

Potential Tough Call:

There is no hiding the fact that the Lions were trying to move Alphonso Smith, and it appears that he may be on his way out due to his inconsistent play on the field. There is a very realistic chance that this group gets an upgrade via a trade or due to another team's roster cut. A player like Dallas Cowboys cornerback Mike Jenkins would be a great addition and is a nice target for the Lions.

Look for the Lions to use the practice squad for several of their younger players. The Lions drafted some cornerbacks that can really move well, and they need to develop as many of them as possible. Jonte Green is a player that could surprise many because of his elite athletic ability, but he will have to do it on special teams early in his career.

Safety

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Safety:

Louis Delmas

Amari Spievey

Erik Coleman

John Wendling

Analysis:

This is another area of the team that struggled when injuries hit their starting safeties. The Lions have a solid safety in Delmas, although he needs to tackle better in 2012. Spievey is a developing player and a player that needs to take a step forward in his third season. The bottom line here is that the Lions really need to stay healthy in their secondary.

Potential Tough Call:

Special teams will tell the tale here because John Wendling struggled as a safety, but he is a special teams ace. He should make the team out of camp because of his ability on special teams. Look for Alonzo Lawrence to get put on the practice squad. He is a big-time talent, but a player that struggled in the college system. However, he has great speed and could surprise as a player out of a small school.