Detroit Lions' 53-Man Roster: As I See It Prior To Training Camp

With training camp right around the corner, this is the time where I like to have a bit of fun projecting the 53 man roster.  I know that I'll have a good chuckle come September ninth, opening day in Chicago. 

How many will I miss again this year?

Without further ado, here's how I see the 53 man roster, and the eight player practice squad.  Some of those cuts were toughies.  Some cuts were anticipated.

Quarterbacks (3)

Stafford. The franchise starter.

Hill. Solid in a backup role.

Stanton. Should be cut.

Practice squad: None.

Cuts:  None.

Running Backs (4)

Best. He’ll start, pending Kevin Smith’s recovery from injury.

Smith. Could be PUP’d until week 8.

Morris. Change of pace back and solid backup.

Brown. Must step it up this year to see any reps.

Practice squad: None.

Cuts:  None.

Wide Receivers (5)

Johnson. The crème de la crème.

Burelson. Solid starter.

D. Williams. A depth player who must develop quickly.

Moore. A chain mover and ferocious blocker.

B. Johnson. Dropped balls, and poor routes may doom him.

Practice squad: Clark.

Cuts: Fowler, Parks, Northcutt.

Centers (2)

Raiola. Ten year starter.

Gandy. Must develop blocking skills and long snapping skills as a backup to Meulbach.

Practice squad: Gerberry. Will push Gandy for a roster spot.

Cuts: None.

Offensive Guards (4)

Peterman. Starting ROG.

Sims. Starting LOG.

Ramirez. Depth player who must push Peterman for reps.

Schuening. 2^nd year pro who must prove he belongs.

Practice squad: Canfield.

 Cuts: None.

Offensive Tackles (4)

Backus. Starting LOT.

Cherilus. Starting ROT.

Fox. Rookie project who might see some reps.

Jansen. Will push Cherilus for starting role.

Practice squad: Hilliard.

Cuts: None.

Tight Ends (3)

Pettigrew. May have limited role pending ACL rehab.

Scheffler. Solid ball skills.

Will Heller. Great depth player.

Practice squad: None.

Cuts:  Gronkowski, Dickson.

Full Backs (2)

Felton. We will see him in flex, and short yardage sets.

Nordin. Developing 2^nd year player.

Practice squad: Clapp. Rookie UDFA.

Cuts: None.

Defensive Ends (4)

Vanden Bosch. Starter on the blind side.

Avril. A project that will see much rotational action.

Hunter. Will be a part of rotation.

DeVries. A question mark after missing last season due to injury.

Practice squad: Young. The rookie project.

Cuts: McBride, Ihekwoaba.

Defensive Tackles (4)

Williams. Gets most reps in the rotation.

Suh. Rookie phenom will see lots of action.

Hill. 2^nd year pro provides fresh legs in rotation.

Cohen (Landon). Must push the top 3 for reps.

Practice squad: Cohen (Joe).

Cuts: Fluellen, Calloway, Douzable.

Linebackers (5)

Peterson (OLB). Projected SAM starter.

Levy (MLB). Projected MIKE starter.

Follett (OLB). Projected WILL starter.

Dizon (MLB). Will push Levy for starting role.

Campbell (Caleb). Should provide outside depth.

Practice squad: None.

Cuts: Campbell (Lee), Ciurciu, Palmer, Johnson.

Cornerbacks (5)

Houston. Projected starter.

Wade. One of three fighting for the other starting spot.

Spievey. Exciting rookie will get a long look as a starter.

Bly. Spot duty only. Will mentor the youngsters.

Wesley. Veteran backup depth.

Practice squad: Berry.

Cuts: King, Hefney, Williams.

Safties (4)

Delmas. Best by far.

Brown. Came in a trade and has the inside track.

Manuel. Must prove his value in camp.

White. Underachieving 4^th year veteran.

Practice squad: None.

Cuts: Simpson. Too many serious injuries.

Kicker (1)

Hanson.  Special Teams coach Stan Kwan is gone.  Look for a better performance.

Punter (1)

Harris.  One of Detroit's most consistent performers of recent years.

Long Snapper (1)

Muhlbach. A steady influence in a critical position.

Kick/Punt Return Specialist (1)

Toone. Having him as a KR/PR saves a roster spot at WR.