The Detroit Lions have less than a week before the they step onto the field for the Hall of Fame game vs the Los Angeles Chargers in Canton, Ohio.

While we won’t see any of the main or big name players, there’s still plenty of intrigue with the game. Who steps up to get closer to securing a roster spot and who possibly plays themselves out of a job?

It’s early, the Lions have barely started training camp but the roster is already pretty much filled out. You can probably count on one hand the number of actual spots that are open for someone to steal but there’s always room for a surprise or two.

With that said, here’s the way to early 53-man roster prediction:

With 91 players (according to the Lions website) here’s the full list of names.

QBs

Jared Goff
Hendon Hooker
Kyle Allen

Starting with Quarterback, 16 is the man, no debate at all. The real question is who’s going to be behind him? Do the Lions like Hooker enough to roll with just him on the active roster? Does he show more growth? Or does his development concern the Lions enough to keep 3 QBs? Keeping 3 will prove to be a hard sell because they’re going to need players elsewhere, especially with Goff being as durable as he’s been over his Lions career. You’re not going to risk trying to get Hooker to clear waivers to sneak him on the practice squad because if by some miracle he clears, he won’t be on the PS long. Kyle Allen is the easy choice here to cut and bring back on the PS if he shows something in pre-season to warrant him staying.

RBs

David Montgomery
Jahmyr Gibbs
Craig Reynolds
Sione Vaki
Kye Robichaux
Jabari Small

This group is pretty much set at the top 4 and that’s all the Lions will carry, unless someone shows something that justifies keeping 5 backs.

Gibbs and Montgomery are 1A and 1B. Vaki has incredible value on special teams and should see significant time carrying the ball through the pre-season.

The only question mark would be that 4th spot, which belongs to Craig Reynolds. Can Robichaux or Small make a big enough impact to push him off the roster? Especially with the Bears almost of given to claim Reynolds if he’s waived…I don’t think so. Reynolds is one of those guys that the coaching staff believes is a core piece to the foundation of the cture built in Detroit.

WR

Amon-Ra St Brown
Jameson Williams
Tim Patrick
Kalif Raymond
Isaac TeSlaa
Dominic Lovett
Jakobie Keeney-James
Ronnie Bell
Tom Kennedy
Malik Taylor

Jackson Meeks

This is another group that is set and will be extremely difficult and unlikely to make the team as a 7th WR…because I believe the Lions are keeping six and those six spots are locked up. Those six players?

ARSB, Jamo, Kalif, Patrick, TeSlaaa and Lovett. Name one of those players that is losing their spot to one of the other four WRs on the roster. TeSlaa is the clear replacement for Patrick in 2026 as is Lovett for Raymond. TeSlaa was General Manager Brad Holmes favorite WR in the 2025 draft, so much so that he traded up to select him in the 3rd round, so he’s a definite lock. While Lovett was drafted in the late 7th round, making him a longshot to earn a spot, he has the quickness and ability to change the field position on special teams. I believe the Lions won’t risk a team claiming him on waivers like they did when they eventually had to cut Isaiah Williams.

Meeks adds an element to the special teams coverage units

TE

Sam LaPorta
Brock Wright
Shane Zylstra
Luke Deal
Kenny Yeboah
Zach Horton

Again, a group that is all but locked up. LaPorta is a top 5 TE in the NFL. Brock Wright isn’t a flashy player butnhes but he is dependable. There’s a reason the Lions quickly matched the 49ers offersheet last offseason. His TD vs the Jets in 2022 is reason enough to keep him. The main competition here is between Zylstra and Yeboah. Who offers more? The staff is familiar with Zylstra and trusts him but if Yeboah can prove to be the better athlete, blocker and catcher, it will be a return to the practice squad for Zylstra.

OL

Taylor Decker
Christian Mahogany
Tate Ratledge
Graham Glasgow
Penei Sewell
Dan Skipper
Giovanni Manu
Trystan Colon
Kingsley Eguakun
Myles Frazier
Jamarco Jones
Colby Sorsdal
Michael Niese
Kayode Awosika
Netane Muti
Mason Miller

This is an interesting group, even more so now with the not no sudden retirement of All Pro Center Frank Ragnow. Before he announced his retirement, there were questions about the interior of the line. Those questions were mainly about both guard spots, who was playing left side? Did Mahogany show enough to be handed the left guard spot? Does Glasgow stay on the left while 2025 2nd round pick Tate Ratledge plugs in at the right guard spot? Or does Glasgow go back to where he is more comfortable on the right side while Ratledge moves to the left? All of those questions remain with Ragnow retiring but new ones have entered the chat. Who will start at center? Ratledge has taken most if not all of the 1st team snaps at center during OTAs and training camp. Dan Campbell has even said, he wants Ratledge at center if everything goes well. Glasgow, who some speculated would be released in the offseason, is the logical choice for center. Mainly because he the has experience. But he’s hinted that he prefers playing guard. Where does 2025 6th round pick Myles Frazier fit in? With a knee injury sidelining him for the foreseeable future, that question  is answered. The plan obviously is for him to slide in at the right guard spot but the Lions can take their time with him like they did with last years 6th rounder, Mahogany. Speaking of Mahogany, he’s the teams LG. But we all knew that after he finally made it on the field and impressed vs Chicago last year.

At right tackle is Sewell. Enough said. Left tackle Taylor Deckers play dipped a bit but there isn’t major concern yet, he’s been working with last years project player Giovanni Manu and reports are that Manu looks significantly better this offseason. Dan Skipper remains but his spot is in serious jeopardy if Manu continues to progress, but I think that replacement happens in 2026.

Trystan Colon was brought in as competition at the center position. Colon was a three-year starter at center for the Missouri Tigers, starting the final 38 games of his college career.
He played for the Baltimore Ravens and started four games at center in three seasons.
He started seven games at right guard for the Arizona Cardinals last year.

2024 UDFA Kingsley Eguakun spent his entire rookie season on the practice squad but has a legitimate shot at making the 53 if he shows growth. Coach Dan Campbell has been impressed with Eguakun’s physicality and intelligence in practice. He layed in 44 games with 30 starts over five seasons (2019-2023), primarily at center.
Allowing just 1 sack in 1,029 pass-blocking snaps from 2021-23.

So that essentially leaves 6 players fighting for 2 spots at the most. Jamarco Jones spent last year on the practice squad but as a 29 year old OT, is he pushing Manu or Skipper off the roster? His main competition is Colby Sorsdal, who has struggled since entering the league. He’s played tackled but got more playing time on the interior. Starting 3 games at both guard spots in his rookie year. It’s really up to Sorsdal. His development could actually push 2 other players off the roster if he shows he can be versatile enough to be a main backup at guard and tackle. The guy to keep an eye on is Mason Miller from North Dakota State. His former offensive coordinator, Tyler Roehl, is the Lions tight ends coach. Miller was also the first announced UDFA to sign with Detroit following the draft. Starting all 41 games over his final three seasons. In addition to his 29 starts at right tackle in his last three seasons, Miller added 12 starts at left guard in 2023. Tje experience is there but the concern is the level of competition he faced in college.

Kayode Awosika is the favorite to win a reserve spot, as he has been on the roster for a while, even starting in the NFC Championship Game but he hasn’t been anything to rave about. Muti could be a viable option but injuries and the fact he’s barely played in 2 years is a huge concern.

Michael Niese was the primary backup at guard and center last year, appearing in all 17 games, mostly on special teams.

The question aside from who plays center is….how many OL do the Lions carry? 10 or 11? And what happens when Frazier is ready?

DE

Aiden Hutchinson
Marcus Davenport
Ahmed Hassanein
Keith Cooper
Nate Lynn
Joshua Paschal
Pat O’Conner
Isaac Ukwu
Al-Quadin Muhammad

Pass rush. That’s all anyone wants to talk about. Where are the sacks coming from? And it’s a legitimate question. I know many have seen things I’ve said in the past that may sound different here but it’s a fair question. The two starters in Hutchinson and Davenport are coming off season ending injuries that didn’t see either play past week 6.

Paschal is another guy dealing with some injuries right now, has flashed here and there but won’tbe ready till some time in September, O’Conner is 32 and had some good moments but hes more of a rotational guy that should be playing sparingly, Hassanein is a very raw 6th round pick still learning the game. Although his intensity and motor will definitely benefit him in developing quicker, especially with one of the best, if not THE best DL coaches in the game in Kacy Rodgers. Two interesting players are Isaac Ukwu and Al-Quadin Muhammad. Ukwu showed promise in preseason last year and Muhammad played surprisingly well coming off the practice squad.

Keith Cooper is an UDFA that shined at rookie minicamp. He’s played Edge, outside backer and DT so that bodes well for him in trying to make the team.

Nate Lynn was having a heck if a debut as an UDFA last year, with two tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack. It was a promising debut for Lynn until he has suffered a season ending shoulder.

One of the roster spots I think is going to go to a guy not listed and non under contract…that person?

Za’Darius Smith.

I am 99.9% sure that there is a handshake deal between Smith and the Lions, allowing the Lions to evaluate the younger players and figure out how they want to build the back end of this roster. Smith is a vet and doesn’t need to be here for preseason. He won’t play anyway. He’ll sign either after the cuts or after week 1.

DT

DJ Reader
Brodric Martin
Myles Adams
Mekhi Wingo
Roy Lopez
Chris Smith
Raequan Williams
Tyleik Williams
Levi Onwuzurike
Alim McNeil

2025 1st round pick Tyleik Williams is going to get tons of playing time as he fills in for Alim McNeil. McNeil won’t be ready till at least Thanksgiving, so his spot is up for grabs for now. DJ Reader isn’t going anywhere. Adams had some moments last year and it makes sense for him to snag a spot. Roy Lopez comes over from Arizona and is a lock to make the team. Wingo is still recovering so its a question as to when he will be ready. That leaves Chris Smith (who the coaches love), Raequan Williams and Brodric Martin. Martin is still a project that was looking good until, and stop me if you’ve heard this before, injuries. Smith has spent most of his career on practice squads.

LB

Alex Anzalone
Jack Campbell
Derrick Barnes
Grant Stuard
Trevor Nowaske
Mitchell Agude
Anthony Pittman
DaRon Gilbert
Ezekiel Turner
Zach Cunningham
Malcolm Rodriguez

Another group that on the outside, seems set. But with the Anzalone contract issue ongoing, it will interesting to see how the Lions handle it. As of this writing, they had Kyzir White in for a visit but I don’t think he’s seen as a replacement for Anzalone as it is just kicking the tires for depth. Anzalone is amd was the heartbeat of the defense. And that was evident last year when he went down, the defense suffered.

Jack Campbell is ready to take the reigns as the green dot guy, whether or not Alex had this contract dispute or not. It was the plan since the day he was drafted. Derrick Barnes  just signed a 3 year extension so, it’s safe to say he’s here to stay. Grant Stuard is a special teams stud that I think may push Pittman off the roster and to the practice squad. He also can offer more on defense than Pittman.

Trevor Nowaske is a safe bet to make the team. The Lions quickly scooped him up last year when the Cardinals cut him and that was after they reluctantly had to try and get him through waivers the year prior. He made some good plays last year, especially vs the Vikings with an interception and a game winning sack.

Mitchell Agude is someone the Lions coaches like but I don’t think he’s ready to push for a roster spot yet.

DaRon Gilbert is a guy that will get tons of work in the preseason and eventually find his way on the practice squad.

Ezekiel Turner and Zach Cunningham are competing for one spot. Turner is liked by the coaches and can contribute on special teams but is a liability if he spends a lot of time on the field for the defense. Cunningham provides veteran experience and that should prove to be the deciding factor if he shows up in preseason.
Malcolm Rodriguez, once healthy will get his spot back.

CB

DJ Reed
Terrion Arnold
Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
Amik Robertson
Dicaprio Bootle
Avonte Maddox
Stantley Thomas-Oliver
Kahlil Dorsey
Rock-Ya Sin
Ian Kennelly
Morice Norris Jr.
Tyson Russell

The cornerback room comes down to 7 players competing for 1 spot. Reed, Arnold, Rakestraw and Amik take the top 4 spots. You have Maddox that’s going to take the 5th CB job, he provides versatility as a safety and nickle. Dorsey could get that spot but coming off an significant injury, the Lions could take their time with him. Morice Norris for the second straight training camp is making noise and while he was excused from practice the coaches love the intensity. Sin is a vet that, with a good showing, could steal a spot. Bootle, Oliver, Kennelly and Russell are extreme longshots.

S

Brian Branch
Kerby Joseph
Loren Strickland
Erick Hallett
Dan Jackson

Branch and Joseph are the best safety duo in the league. Strickland made the team last year as an UDFA and Jackson was drafted this year. That’s your safety room. Hallett will lose out here because there are better options at corner to take a roster spot, even though Dan Campbell has indicated that Hallett can move all over from safety to nickle and provide some flexibility

Special Teams

Jack Fox
Jake Bates
Hogan Hatten

All three here make the team. Easy.

FINAL ROSTER

So, with that said here’s the list. The final 53, the 16 practice squad (assuming the Lions fill it out with all their own and not grab a player or two from another team) and the IR players that will and will not return.

QB

Goff, Hooker

RB

Gibbs, Montgomery, Vaki, Reynolds

WR

ARSB, Jamo, Patrick, Raymond, TeSlaa, Lovett

TE

LaPorta, Wright, Zylstra

OL

Decker, Mohagnay, Ratledge, Glasgow, Sewell, Skipper, Manu, Colon, Neise, Awosika

DE

Hutchinson, Davenport, Hassanein, Muhammad, Smith (not currently signed), Cooper

DT

Reader, Tyleik, Lopez, Wingo,

LB

Anzalone, Barnes, Campbell, Nowaske, Stuard, Cunningham

CB

Reed, Arnold, Amik, Rakestraw, Maddox,

S

Joseph, Branch, Strickland, Jackson

Specialists

Bates, Fox, Hatten

25 offensive players, 25 defensive players and 3 specialists. I wasn’t trying to make it even but that’s just how the cuts fell.

Practice Squad

QB Allen

WR Kennedy

TE Yeboah

OL Sorsdal, Jones, Eguakun, Miller

DL O’Conner, Lynn, Martin, Adams

LB Agude, Pittman, Turner,

CB Norris

IR

Onwuzurike (out for year)

McNeil (return)

Rodriguez (return)

Frazier (return)

Dorsey (return)