Predicting the Last 5 In, Last 5 out for Detroit Lions' Final 53 Man Roster
The Detroit Lions roster might see an addition or two before training camp kicks off in late July, but the bulk of it will look much like it does now. So even though it's early, we can look ahead to whose roster bubble will burst come September.
Obviously, a lot can occur in between now and Week 1. Injuries and surprise performances happen every year, leading to a shift in a player's prospects.
So consider this list an early assessment with tweaks to be made as new information leaks. And also bookmark it in case I get every prediction right. Actually, don't. It'll magically find its way to Twitter anyway.
In: RB George Winn
1 of 10
It's not so much about what George Winn has done, but what Zach Zenner hasn't. Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com commented recently that "Zenner didn’t do a ton to impress me during offseason workouts."
That's not going to cut it. Zenner and Desmond Martin are fighting to unseat incumbent fourth running back George Winn and need to make an impact on the coaching staff.
Zenner's ticket to the roster was supposed to be his athleticism. The fact that it didn't stand out without pads on doesn't bode well for his chances.
Plus, this spot will boil down to special teams contributions. Winn has a proven track record considering his three tackles last season and positive Pro Football Focus grade (2.0). The edge belongs to Winn for now, especially because he's a physical back whose value rises once that aspect of the game is reintroduced at training camp.
In: DE Corey Wootton
2 of 10
If the Detroit Lions opt to keep five defensive ends, Corey Wootton will be on the chopping block. The team loves everything brought to the table by Darryl Tapp, who head coach Jim Caldwell called a "force multiplier," per Kyle Meinke of Mlive Media Group.
But this scenario sees Detroit keeping six defensive ends and only four interior offensive linemen (the three starters and reserve Manny Ramirez). Because the Lions love to rotate so many bodies along the defensive front, it's imperative to have enough reserves on the roster to keep everyone fresh.
Wootton could prove extremely valuable in this context. He's big enough (6'6", 270 lbs) to handle snaps inside along with his main duties of setting the edge against the run.
Plus, with Jason Jones sidelined with a mystery injury, Wootton will provide insurance in case Jones can't contribute right away.
In: S Don Carey
3 of 10
Versatility is the key to sticking to the bottom of a roster. Don Carey has this advantage over some of the younger candidates vying for his position, and he's hoping it'll be enough to earn another year of service.
Undrafted free agents Isaiah Johnson and Brian Suite have both received hype over the past two months. The former earned his with a solid college career and a $12,000 signing bonus. The latter created his by making plays during minicamp.
But again, special teams will be a huge factor in the final decision. Carey has valuable experience in that arena, having racked up five tackles last season, and that versatility combined with his ability to play cornerback in a pinch gives him the early edge.
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In: WR Jeremy Ross
4 of 10
Any time Jeremy Ross isn't with a group that's fielding punts or kickoffs, it's news. However, ESPN's Michael Rothstein recently noted that one such absence was due to Ross working with the kickoff coverage team. Here's what Ross had to say about the situation, per Rothstein:
"I have to sharpen all my skills, you know what I’m saying. Returning is definitely a big part of it, but I’ve got to show value all over the field. So it’s important I get those kickoff reps. It’s important I get those gunner reps, because you never know when your team needs something, so I’m going to pick up the slack wherever.
"
So what seemed to be an indictment of Ross is actually an encouraging sign for the maligned Lion. As we've discussed twice already, a player's ability to contribute on special teams, especially in multiple roles, goes a long way toward securing a roster spot.
There will be some fierce competition for this spot, though. Two of the players will be highlighted later, but Ross' versatility wins out here, because neither of his competitors have done anything to stand out as receivers yet.
In: OT Michael Williams
5 of 10
Riley Reiff, LaAdrian Waddle and Cornelius Lucas are locks to make the roster. That leaves Michael Williams and Corey Robinson fighting for the last reserve tackle spot.
The coaching staff will have its hands full determining which player between the two late-round picks is the better fit for the 53-man roster. Here, Williams wins out, but not by a landslide.
His position switch from tight end to offensive tackle gives him the slight edge he needs. While he's bulked up to 304 pounds, he still has an athletic advantage over the towering Robinson. And the year of seasoning at his new position makes him "feel like I'm impressing coaches, and impressing myself," per Kyle Meinke of Mlive Media Group.
It would appear Williams is right. Caldwell told Meinke "this is natural for him," and went on to add that Williams is "coming along and making good progress." That's enough to give third-year tight end turned second-year offensive tackle a leg up.
Out: WR Ryan Broyles
6 of 10
The Ryan Broyles story—three consecutive season-ending injuries—will get him the sympathy and support of outside fans. And Detroit fans are desperately hoping he can rekindle the magic that led to his six-catch, 126-yard explosion against the Houston Texans.
But the reality is that performance is almost three years old and two injuries ago. He looked good during last year's preseason, but he barely saw the field during the regular season, seeing time in just five games. That disconnect has left everyone trying to wrap their heads around the situation:
"@TomBieszkLions Could totally see that. I don't think I'll ever understand the enigma that is Ryan Broyles.
— ACM (@meckesaa) June 25, 2015"
For whatever reason, the coaching staff didn't think he could perform better than the players ahead of him. And the coaches didn't offer much of an explanation, except for a smokescreen about Broyles playing the same position as Golden Tate.
That may be true, but if they thought he could bring more to the team than Corey Fuller or Jeremy Ross, they would have found a way to get him on the field.
Out: WR T.J. Jones
7 of 10
T.J. Jones is another injury-created enigma. We have yet to see him on the field in live competition because of an ailing shoulder that cost him his entire rookie season.
At first, Jones struggled with his predicament. He told Carloz Monarrez of the Detroit Free Press that he "sat in a dark room a lot," but he eventually turned the situation on its head:
"I learned how to study film. I helped break down a lot of the film for the receivers, so I got to focus on how to read coverages, how to stay in the playbook, learned every position last year.
And it also helped you to kind of rehab, how to get in there early before most people get in, or stay late after practice. The things that you need to do before you get hurt, I learned to do and the importance of.
"
Those little things could eventually make a difference in Jones' career, yet it's too early to label him a breakout player. He's a sixth-round pick fighting against players with at least one year in offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi's complicated scheme. It's one thing to know where you're supposed to be and another to go there instinctively.
Out: TE Jordan Thompson
8 of 10
When the Lions put in a claim for tight end Tim Wright, it could have been to increase competition at the position. It also could have been an indication that all isn't well between Joseph Fauria and the front office, per Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press (h/t Field Yates of ESPN).
If the latter alternative turns out to be true, the door is open a bit for Jordan Thompson. He's athletic enough to give Fauria a fight, but it's hard to see him beating out the former UCLA star.
Fauria is a red-zone specialist by virtue of his soft hands and 6'7" frame. He showcased his ability to high-point the ball when he grabbed seven touchdowns during his rookie season.
He didn't get to expand his role last season, however, because of an ankle injury. That should change now that he's back at practice, presumably healed up and ready to get out of the doghouse (pun intended). Unfortunately for Thompson, he doesn't have the talent to match Fauria's physical edge.
Out: OT Corey Robinson
9 of 10
As discussed in Williams' slide, it's incredibly tough to handicap this race.
Robinson is a monster of an offensive tackle, standing 6'7" and weighing 324 pounds. He also started the last 26 games for South Carolina at left tackle, meaning he has plenty of experience against top-tier defensive ends.
And he's getting a chance to show the coaching staff what he can do. Both Robinson and Williams have been rotating with the first team because of injuries.
"Rookie Corey Robinson worked as the first-team right tackle today, worth Waddle and Lucas out
— Kyle Meinke (@kmeinke) June 17, 2015"
Robinson needs another year to work on his technique before he can successfully leverage that large frame at the NFL level. There could be an issue of him making it through waivers to make the practice squad, but the team can't allow that to enter the equation here.
Out: S Isaiah Johnson
10 of 10
The safety competition is a sneaky one. While everyone is focused on cornerbacks and wide receivers, there will be a fierce battle to stick on the roster at the back end of the secondary.
And the competition got a little stiffer with the addition of Taylor Mays to the mix. While it's hard to see the veteran making it to the final round of cuts, he will take reps away from the young guys trying to knock off Carey.
That's why it's hard to see Isaiah Johnson making this team. While the Lions coveted him enough to give him a sizable signing bonus, he'll have to pick up the defense while proving he can become a contributor on special teams.
This situation will probably play out a lot like Jerome Couplin's did. Johnson will get called up to help as an injury fill-in later in the year but won't clear waivers on his way back to the practice squad.
All advanced stats, grades and positional rankings are courtesy of Pro Football Focus. Contract information courtesy of Spotrac.
Brandon Alisoglu is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist who has written about the Lions on multiple sites. He also co-hosts a Lions-centric podcast, Lions Central Radio. Yell at him on Twitter about how wrong he is @BrandonAlisoglu.
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