NFL Preseason 2010: Detroit Lions 53-Man Roster Prediction
The NFL preseason is infuriating for fans, and perhaps more so for coaches, players, and personnel men. However, it serves a valuable purpose—to weed out players who practice well but don't perform in game situations.
The Detroit Lions have had an influx of talent in the past two years but who makes the 53-man roster?
Can Lions stalwarts like Drew Stanton and Jared DeVries make the roster one last time? Or, will they be supplanted by new names and faces?
Here is a educated look at the Lions roster as it stands now.
One caveat: like last year, expect General Manager, Martin Mayhew, to take a long hard look at camp cuts from other teams. So, while this is the 53-Man roster as it stands today, a lot of new names could find themselves rounding out the last 10 spots.
Players who are considered on the back-end of the roster are listed in italics.
Quarterbacks
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1) Matthew Stafford
2) Shaun Hill
3) Drew Stanton
As of right now, a third quarterback has to make this team. The third QB is an important roster spot because of a rule that a QB can be inactive on game day and still come in due to emergency.
However, is it going to be Drew Stanton?
The former Michigan State Spartan offers very little to the Lions in terms of development. He has natural athleticism and gamesmanship, but he isn't a player the team would ever feel comfortable with under center.
With Stafford locked in as starter and Shaun Hill as a very capable backup, that third spot may end up in the hands of a young quarterback cut from another team—Max Hall, Jarrett Brown, or even Pat White.
Running Backs
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4) Jahvid Best (RB)
5) Kevin Smith (3rd Down RB)
6) Maurice Morris (RB)
7) Aaron Brown (KR)
8) Jerome Felton (FB)
No one's roster spot is more deservedly tenuous than Aaron Brown's. By all rights, the second-year speed demon should have the third backfield spot locked down and be showcasing his skills on special teams as well.
He isn't.
Mental errors and pressure from DeDe Dorsey make Brown an ideal candidate for a one-way ticket back to Texas.
Still, as a second-year prospect and a special teams contributor, it might be prudent for the Lions to keep Brown around and hope the light clicks on while keeping Dorsey on speed dial.
The rest of the backfield shakes out into a rather talented group. Best, is the starter; Kevin Smith, the third down option with hope he regains pre-knee surgery form; Maurice Morris, the emergency running back who could move into a starting role easily.
Jerome Felton is the most intriguing back. He is a rusher at heart and could step into more carries. He offers a lot of the same features as Kevin Smith and Maurice Morris. While he is the team's starting fullback, he could also become a de facto backup halfback. If the team goes that route, Morris or Brown could be dropped for a prospect at another position.
Wide Recievers
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9) Calvin Johnson (WR)
10) Nate Burleson (WR)
11) Bryant Johnson (Slot)
12) Derrick Williams (Slot/KR/PR)
13) Dennis Northcutt (PR/4th WR)
Lions fans have learned to despise Bryant Johnson. The one-time third wide receiver was asked to step up last year for the Lions and he failed as a starter. This year, he is back off-the-line and out of the starting lineup. But, he can still contribute and be a 25/35-catch guy.
Like Aaron Brown, Derrick Williams really needs to cut down on mental mistakes. His spot on the roster seems locked for this year, but stranger things have happened.
In this configuration, Brian Clark (a special teams ace) is left off of the roster. As is Eric Fowler, probably the most sure-handed guy on the team outside of the top two wideouts. If either of those men can step up in the next few weeks, Dennis Northcutt and/or Williams could find themselves on the outside looking in.
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Tight Ends
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14) Brandon Pettigrew
15) Tony Scheffler
16) Will Heller
17) Dan Gronkowski
Remember Will Heller? He's the guy who almost no one is talking about making this team. He will. In fact, his spot is just about as safe as a spot can get.
This coaching staff likes Heller, who is a pass-blocking dream at the tight end position. This coaching staff wants him back and healthy, to help protect the franchise investment in Matthew Stafford.
Two tight end sets will be the norm in Motown, but don't get surprised if all three of those top names are able to see game action at the same time. Splitting Tony Scheffler out wide and keeping Brandon Pettigrew and Heller in could be a devastating look on the goal line.
Dan Gronkowski needs to make this team. He deserves it. The former Terrapin has been quietly effective whenever he has been asked to step up. More than a few teams would make a waiver claim for him if the Lions tried to get him on the practice squad.
Offensive Line
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18) Jeff Backus (LT)
19) Rob Sims (LG)
20) Dominic Raiola (OC)
21) Stephen Peterman (RG)
22) Gosder Cherilus (RT)
23) Jason Fox (LT)
24) Jon Jansen (OT)
25) Dylan Gandy (OG/OC)
For once in a decade, the picture surrounding most of the Detroit Lions offensive line is pretty clear.
Jeff Backus (like it or not) is the starter at left tackle and his top backup will likely be Jon Jansen.
Rob Sims has been a fantastic addition and his backup will be whoever makes the team as a swing-interior player. Right now, that is Dylan Gandy over Manny Ramirez. That player will back up Stephen Peterman at right guard as well.
At center, Dominic Raiola's top backup could be Gandy as wellgiving the young player that much more opportunity to make the team.
Right tackle is the one position that is a mess. Jon Jansen is a guy teams want around, not necessarily in the starting line up. He has zero upside and won't make a lot of great plays, but he is steady and won't make a lot of mistakes.
Gosder Cherilus is a physical beast who has never (and probably will never) lived up to his ability. Still, he should make the team because he is better than any other option if Jansen went down (or needed to slide to the left).
The biggest question mark right now is Jason Fox. After having his knee scoped, the Lions might jump at the change to IR him. He has not lived up to expectations in camp (or in preseason action). Corey Hillard would be added to the roster if that happened.
Special Teams
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26) Jason Hanson (K)
27) Nick Harris (P)
28) Don Muhlbach (LS)
Does anything more need to be said?
This isn't the year the Lions replace any of these old stalwarts and next year might not be either. Steven Hauschka is a fine NFL kicker but doesn't have a strong enough leg to be kept around.
Defensive Line
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29) Kyle Vanden Bosch (RE)
30) Cliff Avril (LE)
31) Ndamukong Suh (DT)
32) Corey Williams (DT)
33) Sammie Hill (DT)
34) Turk McBride (DT/DE)
35) Lawrence Jackson (DE/DT)
36) Willie Young (DE)
The name missing here is Jared DeVries. Added earlier in the offseason, the longtime Lion is probably at the last legs of his career. If his knee is truly an issue, the team would do the honorable thing and work for an injury settlement. The team would also be wise to keep him around in some capacity, whether scouting or as a coaching intern.
Versatility is the name of the game here. Once the regular season starts, expect plenty of movement along the line as Coach Kris Kocurek struggles to get everyone snaps.
Ndamukong Suh has already seen time at end, as could Corey Williams. Turk McBride and Lawrence Jackson are both able to play multiple positions. Furthermore, McBride is a coaching favorite and knows the system well. He, likely, isn't going anywhere.
On top of it all, the Lions have the ability to play a situational three-man front and have the talent on the defensive front to succeed with it. If the Lions feel Avril or anyone else could rush from a stand up position, a new alignment could cover some problem areas in the linebacking corps.
The ideal situation would be to put Willie Young on the practice squad, but he is playing his way off of it already. It is extremely unlikely that he would make it through waivers. He takes the spot of old standbys, Andre Fluellen and Landon Cohen.
Linebackers
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37) Zack Follett (WLB)
38) DeAndre Levy (MLB)
39) Julian Peterson (SLB)
40) Ashlee Palmer (WLB/ST)
41) Landon Johnson (SLB/MLB/ST)
42) Isaiah Ekejiuba (MLB/ST)
This position group is the most likely to change before the beginning of the season. Reserve linebackers will be cut from other teams, forcing the Lions to reassess the roster numerous times.
Still, which of these guys should the Lions cut loose?
The first three are locks. Ashlee Palmer and Landon Johnson are both playing extremely well, while Isaiah Ekejiuba should end up as the top reserve at MLB. Those last three should be key special teamers for the Gridiron Heroes.
Vinny Ciurciu is a great guy, but he doesn't offer enough on special teams to supplant those three, especially with the numerous special teams guys elsewhere on the roster.
When cuts happen, the Lions will try to squeeze at least one more LB onto the roster and expect the Lions practice squad to feature a few prospects as well.
Defensive Backs
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43) Chris Houston (CB)
44) Jonathan Wade (CB)
45) Louis Delmas (FS)
46) CC Brown (SS)
47) Dre Bly (CB2/DCB)
48) Eric King (NCB)
49) Amari Spievey (CB/ST)
50) Randy Phillips (FS/ST)
51) David Roach (S/ST)
52) Dante Wesley (S/CB/ST)
53) Ko Simpson (S/ST)
The weakest position group on the Lions is, naturally, the position they need to keep the most bodies at.
The injury to Louis Delmas could muddle this group even more if they utilize the PUP list to keep him off the active roster until week six. CC Brown will start opposite Delmas, but Randy Phillips has earned reps and can play either safety spot in this defense.
Chris Houston and Jonathan Wade are likely the top corners with Dre Bly right behind them as a backup corner on the outside. Eric King has proven time and again that he can't handle duties on the perimeter but offers more than most admit as a nickleback.
David Roach is a newer roster addition who saw too much action in St Louis to be able to go on the practice squad. He may not last long with the Lions, but his starting experience gives him a chance to stick around.
Dante Wesley is a possibility for special teams captain and is a favorite of Danny Crossman.
Ko Simpson could be cut, but could just as easily start multiple games at strong safety. He doesn't fit the system, but he is better than given credit for and better than what could be signed off the street.
Practice Squad
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1) Michael Moore (WR)
2) Tim Toone (WR/KR)
3) EDIT: Noah Franklin (OT)
4) Robert Callaway (DT)
5) Chima Ihekwoaba (DE) international
6) Caleb Campbell (LB)
7) Lee Campbell (LB)
8) Aaron Berry (CB)
9) Jonathan Hefney (CB/S)
Caleb Campbell, Tim Toone, Aaron Berry and Michael Moore are all fan and coaching staff favorites for different reasons. Each has the ability to make the active roster sooner rather than later.
Jonathan Hefney is another guy who could easily make the roster thanks to his speed and versatility, but he ends up here because David Roach and Ko Simpson can't.
EDIT: Since the writing of the article, Canfield was waived/injured to make room for OT Tyler Polumbus. He has been replaced above by OT Noah Franklin.
Robert Callaway is a local prospect who is extremely raw but physically gifted.
Chima Ihekwoaba is a Canadian prospect who has seen plenty of playing time in the preseason. Putting him on the practice squad has no downside, since he is Canadian, the Lions are able to have nine spots instead of eight.
Lee Campbell is a young linebacker who would be the first called up if any LB or special team coverage guy went down to injury.
Thoughts?
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There is the 53-Man Roster as it stands right now. Obviously talent cut from other teams (especially at LB, CB, S, or OL) could change things dramatically.
Any big changes in your mind? Post them in the comment section below!
Would you keep Landon Cohen, Andre Fluellen?
Can't stand seeing Eric King still on the roster?
Have an inordinate amount of love for Jake Nordin?
Think Bryant Johnson needs to hit the road?
Leave a comment!
Want to hear the audio version of this? Check out Monday's edition of The Knee Jerks with Greg Eno (Bleacher Report) and Big Al Beaton (The Wayne Fontes Experience).
One change from Monday: I had originally left Roach off the roster in favor of Hefney.
Michael Schottey is the managing editor for Bleacher Report's college internship. He is also a NFL Featured Columnist. Credentialed by the NFL, he is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America and experienced in both print and radio media.
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