6 Players Who Might Find Themselves on Detroit Lions Practice Squad in 2015
Not all NFL dreams are dashed once the rosters are trimmed to 53 players. A maximum of 10 hopeful prospects can be added to the practice squad, so long as they don't have an accrued season (active for six or more games), per the league's collective bargaining agreement.
There are a couple of convoluted exceptions to this rule that allow teams to add older players with accrued seasons, but they aren't necessary for our discussion here. Besides, nobody wants to sit through a contracts lesson.
So when you click through, you'll find six current Lions who could be prime candidates for the practice squad. Another team could scoop up any of them, but that franchise would have to immediately place said player on its active roster. That would probably be a bridge too far until the injuries start to mount.
RB Zach Zenner
1 of 6
There's a ton of love on Twitter and the message boards for Zach Zenner. And there have been conflicting reports on how he's performed thus far.
Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com didn't think Zenner helped his cause at OTAs and minicamp. Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com thought otherwise and passed along this quote from Zenner about his pad-related excitement: “I think everyone hopes to shine a little brighter when the pads come on and I’m no different."
There's no doubting the man's willingness. There is concern about whether he can bring the same wood to special teams. He's unproven in this aspect because he was too busy racking up three 2,000-yard seasons in college at South Dakota State to be bothered with such duties.
Obviously, Zenner can make this roster. But if he can't climb that mountain this summer, Detroit will pray that he passes through waivers and stays stashed away on the practice squad.
WR Andrew Peacock
2 of 6
Just a year ago, it seemed odd that the Lions even signed Andrew Peacock. He's a wide receiver without measurable height (5'10") or speed (4.72-second 40 at his pro day, per NFLDraftScout.com).
Peacock has done everything he can to flip that narrative. He took his time on the practice squad seriously and is hoping to use it to his advantage, per Josh Katzenstein of the Detroit News. "We have four receiver positions," Peacock said. "I know them all. I feel like any time coach calls on me I'll know it. Anything that's asked of me, that's what I'll do."
Backup quarterback Dan Orlovsky also offered his opinion that Peacock would have "some days where he would just wear people out." Orlovsky also said that "he's got a chance to be a good little player."
It's unlikely that Peacock can unseat the players ahead of him, especially since he isn't a returner. But the Lions will do all they can to keep him in Allen Park because of his deep knowledge of the offense and solid hands.
WR T.J. Jones
3 of 6
T.J. Jones has as much NFL field experience as this year's crop of rookies. He spent his entire rookie season on the physically unable to perform list after undergoing a June surgery on his shoulder.
He does, however, have the benefit of film study and quality time with the playbook. There wasn't much else to do once he got over the initial depression of a lost season.
It would appear that all his preparation is paying off. Justin Rogers of MLive Media Group relays the story of a successful recent practice sequence here:
"Jones came down with a pair of touchdown grabs on Wednesday, including a deep sideline pass from quarterback Dan Orlovsky. The young receiver showed exceptional speed at the top of his route, pulling away from cornerback Mohammed Seisay and fully extending to make the grab in stride.
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It's too early to tell whether this is an early sign of things to come or the abuse of a cornerback who won't make the 53-man roster. Regardless, it shows potential, which makes Jones a prime candidate for at least the practice squad moving forward.
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OT Corey Robinson
4 of 6
The Lions will likely carry four offensive tackles this season, which means Michael Williams and Corey Robinson will be duking it out for the last spot.
Robinson has a chance to take it from Williams. He has the position-experience edge, since he started the last two seasons at left tackle for South Carolina. He also has an inch or so on the shorter former tight end (6'6", 304 lbs).
But Williams has the edge in athleticism and scheme experience. While Detroit is moving to a power-based scheme that should simplify the techniques involved, it's still a large jump for Robinson to make.
That doesn't mean Detroit would let Robinson walk out the door. He has the hulking body (6'7", 324 lbs) that the Lions love (see LaAdrian Waddle and Cornelius Lucas). And after the injuries suffered at right tackle last year (Corey Hilliard) and Waddle's ongoing health concerns (knee), general manager Martin Mayhew will try to keep as many tackles in town as possible.
S Brian Suite
5 of 6
There wouldn't have been much reason to talk about Brian Suite a month ago. He slid under the radar because of the bigger names featured at the beginning and end of this list.
That didn't sit well with Suite.
He attacked OTAs and minicamp, making others take notice of his potential. And after one practice that saw him break up a pair of passes, Suite wasn't satisfied, telling Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press, "Safeties nowadays get paid for intercepting balls."
The Lions love smart players. It's hard to see a way the team can add another safety unless he carries Don Carey's ability to play cornerback as well. So the practice squad is Suite's best bet.
S Isaiah Johnson
6 of 6
Safety Isaiah Johnson is the least likely player on this list to fall to the practice squad. The reason? Detroit and four other teams wanted him so badly that the Lions felt like they had to make a significant offer for Johnson's services, per Birkett:
"Also, an update: The #Lions gave Georgia Tech S Isaiah Johnson a $12,000 signing bonus. Really wanted him http://t.co/QuCFbefgT4 via @freep
— Dave Birkett (@davebirkett) May 9, 2015"
Johnson has shown a businesslike approach to this offseason. He'll need to convert that mindset to the field, because the competition will be fierce with veteran Don Carey and recent signee Taylor Mays both looking to extend their careers.
The key—like it is for all undrafted free agents—will be special teams. Detroit loves Johnson because he's a physical safety who may grow into James Ihedigbo's role one day, but it won't sacrifice short-term success to keep him on the roster.
The Lions are in a good position because of a stacked depth chart across the board. That leaves few opportunities for the young guys to latch on with the 53-man crew, meaning the practice squad might be their saving grace.
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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