Projected Detroit Lions' Final 53-Man Roster, Pre-Training Camp Edition

Dreams are dashed every September when NFL teams make the final cut down to 53 players. They play their hearts out in training camp and preseason games, only to be told there are better alternatives available and thanks for all your hard work.

That sounds treacherous. It's almost criminally cruel.

So let's jump ahead and skip all that noise in the name of mercy. Click through to find out who made the cut.

And if you see one of the to-be-released players in the streets or at Starbucks, feel free to let them down easy so they can start looking for new work.

Quarterback

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

1. Matthew Stafford
2. Dan Orlovsky
3. Kellen Moore

Out: Garrett Gilbert

There will be a battle for the backup spot, which could ultimately determine who ends up on the 53-man roster if the team opts to carry only two quarterbacks.

It's unlikely that will come to pass, though. Detroit didn't risk keeping just two signal-callers in 2014 because the complicated offense would be difficult to teach quickly. 

That same logic should carry over to 2015. Although both Orlovsky and Moore have a year in the system and could be brought back should the situation call for it, it's too big of a gamble to cut one loose. If another quarterback-desperate team (and there are several) gets antsy, the Lions' emergency option will disappear.

Thus, nothing will change here. The only question will be whether Garrett Gilbert—last seen by most filling in for Colt McCoy in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game—shows enough to warrant a practice squad spot.

Running Back

Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

1. Joique Bell
2. Ameer Abdullah
3. Theo Riddick
4. George Winn
5. FB—Michael Burton

 Out: Zach Zenner, Desmond Martin and Emil Igwenagu

There isn't much need to discuss the top three. Each one is safe because they bring something specific to the team, whether it's a move-the-chains running style, burstability or excellence in the two-minute drill.

And there isn't much to discuss regarding the last three either. Without pads on, it's difficult to give one an edge this early. The kicker—as always—will be special teams because it's unlikely that Zenner or Martin will warrant a roster spot based on offensive skill alone.

There will be plenty of stumping for Zenner, and it's tough to argue against his resume. He was a workhorse at North Dakota State, racking up three straight 2,000-yard seasons to pair with steady hands out of the backfield.

Yet his contributions on special teams are a complete unknown. If he can prove himself to be Winn's equal in that area, he'll likely jump Winn because of his dynamic running style. Unfortunately for him, the faltering of Detroit's coverage teams late last year only reinforced their importance.

Wide Reciever

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

1. Calvin Johnson
2. Golden Tate
3. Corey Fuller
4. Lance Moore
5. Jeremy Ross

Out: Ryan Broyles, T.J. Jones, Andrew Peacock, Jarred Haggins, Greg Salas and Vernon Johnson

The messiest battle heading into training camp belongs to the wide receivers. You'd have an easier time pinpointing a Lannister's humility than projecting the final receiving depth chart.

However, we can (almost) be certain that Corey Fuller is going to make it after Johnson and Tate. He's the only real burner with height and pro experience, which should be enough to edge Vernon Johnson.

Meanwhile, Broyles and Jones are the toughest cuts. It's impossible to get a read on how they fit because the coaching staff has refused to trust the former, and the latter didn't make it past last May. They're both, however, the most likely two of the bunch to beat out veteran Lance Moore or grab a sixth spot if the front office opts for that path.

Salas and Haggins aren't more than camp bodies looking to make an impression for future consideration, so we can safely scratch them off the list.

The other questionable decision will center on Ross. Most of his mistakes in 2014 were mental and thus correctable, so he gets a slight edge to start training camp. However, if a returner emerges—and both Broyles and Jones have some collegiate experience—Ross isn't a good enough receiver to stick.

Tight End

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

1. Eric Ebron
2. Brandon Pettigrew
3. Joseph Fauria

Out: Jordan Thompson, David Ausberry and Casey Pierce

It may take longer to craft these sentences than it will for the front office to make its decisions.

Ebron, Pettigrew and Fauria are all safe. With the obvious caveat of injury attached, you can write this one in stone.

Thompson's athleticism is intriguing, though. If anyone can make a challenge, it'll likely be Thompson based on that attribute and his year in the system. Yet he can't match Ebron's speed, Fauria's ability to high-point or Pettigrew in versatility.

That leaves him on the outside looking in with Ausberry and Pierce. 

Offensive Line

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

1. Riley Reiff
2. Laken Tomlinson
3. Travis Swanson
4. Larry Warford
5. LaAdrian Waddle
6. Manny Ramirez
7. Cornelius Lucas
8. Corey Robinson

Out: Michael Williams, Torrian Wilson, Xavier Proctor, Al Bond, Darren Keyton, Braxston Cave and Taylor Boggs

The offensive line will follow the tight ends' lead. Everybody from Lucas up has their spot locked with only a small handful of guys fighting for the eighth and final slot.

Robinson needs more polish on his technique—much like Lucas last year—before he's ready to contribute. While Williams formerly had the edge based on a year of working with professional coaches at his new position, it's hard to overlook how much the Lions love huge tackles. And Robinson is huge at 6'7" and 324 pounds.

The final decision between those two won't happen until early September.

Wilson is the only other player with any offseason buzz. His $11,000 signing bonus—which is more than double fan favorite Zach Zenner's—was the second-highest, proving Detroit had him high on the priority list. And his college experience as a tackle may come in handy in a pinch.

Defensive End

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

1. Ezekiel Ansah
2. Jason Jones
3. Devin Taylor
4. Darryl Tapp
5. Larry Webster
6. Corey Wootton

Out: Phil Hunt and Kerry Hyder

The Lions won't endure much upheaval on the outside of the defensive line. The top five were all in Detroit last season, and none are in any danger of being booted.

The tough part is figuring out if there will be a sixth defensive end this season.

The interior offensive line has only three players in this scenario. That last guy could be the sixth player here or one of the cornerbacks.

However, Wootton makes the cut because of his versatility. At 6'6" and 270 pounds, he fits the mold of Jones, giving Detroit some insurance in case Jones' mystery injury doesn't heal before Week 1. And it also gives defensive coordinator Teryl Austin another option at defensive tackle should the young, unproven talent there falter.

Defensive Tackle

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

1. Haloti Ngata
2. Caraun Reid
3. Tyrunn Walker
4. Gabe Wright

Out: Jermelle Cudjo and Roy Philon

Coincidentally, the position with the most change was cemented as soon as the draft class was signed.

Gone are franchise cornerstone Ndamukong Suh, valuable veteran C.J. Mosley and the great enigma—Nick Fairley. In their places are a hopefully still-elite Ngata, the unproven-but-exciting Walker and the explosive Wright.

The unit will miss Suh, but different doesn't mean it will be bad. A lot will rely on one of the younger trio proving he can anchor against the run as well as he can penetrate.

It's possible that Philon could make the practice squad on account of his inexperience, but Cudjo is trying out to be the next Andre Fluellen. He's hoping to play well enough to get the call if somebody goes down with an injury.

Linebacker

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

1. Stephen Tulloch
2. DeAndre Levy
3. Tahir Whitehead
4. Kyle Van Noy
5. Josh Bynes
6. Travis Lewis

Out: Julian Stanford, Brandon Copeland, Jerrell Harris and Kevin Snyder

There will be very little flux among the linebackers.

The three starters from last season will likely retain their original roles, although Whitehead will have to fend off the season's biggest wild card. Nobody is quite certain what to expect from Van Noy. His potential out of college was intriguing, and he'll probably see some time as a situational pass-rusher to start.

After Ziggy Ansah's college roommate, things get a little more fluid. The presumption is that Bynes' spot is safe. He has the experience from his time in Baltimore, and he played over Lewis and Stanford last season in Detroit.

Special teams will be the final determinant between Stanford and Lewis. The former made too many mental mistakes, racking up five penalties and three missed tackles, per Pro Football Focus, while the latter finished with one more takedown.

Cornerback

Jeff Haynes/Associated Press

1. Darius Slay
2. Rashean Mathis
3. Nevin Lawson
4. Quandre Diggs
5. Josh Wilson
6. Alex Carter

Out: Mohammed Seisay, Crezdon Butler and Chris Owens

The front office dispensed with the suspense by waiving Bill Bentley. He was expected to fight with Diggs, Wilson and Lawson to be the sixth cornerback, but his injury history wrapped up the competition before it even got started.

And without Bentley, there's unlikely to be any competition of consequence when it comes to roster spots.

Lawson has the confidence of the coaching staff, Diggs has been the talk of the offseason, and Carter was this year's third-round pick. There's no chance any of them are left off the roster.

Since we're presuming the Lions will do anything to avoid being shorthanded at the position after last year's injuries, the sixth spot will be somewhat of a fight between Seisay and Wilson. However, the veteran Wilson has played both inside and outside (although neither particularly well recently) and has been a Detroit target for years.

Safety

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

1. Glover Quin
2. James Ihedigbo
3. Isa Abdul-Quddus
4. Don Carey

Out: Isaiah Johnson, Brian Suite, Nate Ness and Taylor Mays

The interior offensive line and the safeties were shorted in this roster prediction.

Detroit went hard after Johnson, giving him the largest signing bonus ($12,000) of the undrafted free-agent group. He's a 6'2" banger who loves to fly around the field and bring ball-carriers down, setting the record at Georgia Tech for defensive backs, with 283 tackles.

If the Lions opt to cut one of the cornerbacks or only keep five defensive ends, he's the most likely to stick, although Suite has stood out in practice. Otherwise, Carey's experience and versatility (plays special teams and nickelback) is too much for the talented youngsters to overcome.

Ness and Mays are camp bodies looking to impress somebody else. Both are too old for the practice squad and are hoping to be remembered in case of an injury or two.

Special Teams

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

1. K Matt Prater
2. P Sam Martin
3. LS Don Muhlbach

Out: K Kyle Brindza

It's finally here!

I know you flipped through the other slides with bated breath, hoping your favorite specialists made the cut. Now you can rest easy knowing Muhlbach isn't going anywhere.

After a shaky start (1-of-3) to his Detroit tenure, Prater went on to miss only two more field goals the rest of the way. Brindza won't be able to unseat him unless he's hitting 60-yarders with ease, and even that might not be enough.

The other two positions literally have zero competition, giving us an easy landing spot to round out the 53-man roster.

Full 53-Man Roster

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Quarterback: Matthew Stafford, Dan Orlovsky and Kellen Moore

Running Back: Joique Bell, Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, George Winn and FB Michael Burton

Wide Receiver: Calvin Johnson, Golden Tate, Corey Fuller, Lance Moore and Jeremy Ross

Tight End: Eric Ebron, Brandon Pettigrew and Joseph Fauria

Offensive Line: Riley Reiff, Laken Tomlinson, Travis Swanson, Larry Warford, LaAdrian Waddle, Manny Ramirez, Cornelius Lucas and Corey Robinson

Defensive End: Ezekiel Ansah, Jason Jones, Devin Taylor, Darryl Tapp, Larry Webster and Corey Wootton

Defensive Tackle: Haloti Ngata, Caraun Reid, Tyrunn Walker and Gabe Wright

Linebacker: Stephen Tulloch, DeAndre Levy, Tahir Whitehead, Kyle Van Noy, Josh Bynes and Travis Lewis

Cornerback: Darius Slay, Rashean Mathis, Nevin Lawson, Quandre Diggs, Josh Wilson and Alex Carter

Safety: Glover Quin, James Ihedigbo, Isa Abdul-Quddus and Don Carey

Special Teams: K Matt Prater, P Sam Martin and LS Don Muhlbach

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.