Detroit Lions 53-man roster prediction: Still room for Hooker and Allen at backup QB?
A lot has changed since I did my last roster prediction for the Detroit Lions at the end of spring.
We’ve had some clarity on some of the Lions’ injuries, most notably Levi Onwuzurike being out for the year. We’ve seen the draft picks and undrafted free agents in action. And coaches have set their pecking order for how they evaluate players in practice.
I won’t be predicting the Lions’ 53-man roster every week, but now seems like a suitable time to update my thoughts given we’re two weeks and one preseason game into camp.
I’ll do my final prediction around the time of the Lions’ last preseason game. For now, here’s a position-by-position look at who the Lions could be counting on in what roles this fall.
Quarterback (3)
In: Jared Goff, Kyle Allen, Hendon Hooker.
My thoughts: I might be on an island in thinking the Lions will keep all three quarterbacks, especially after the way Allen and Hooker played Thursday, and that could change in the weeks ahead. But I’m not ready to cut bait on either backup after one preseason game and there’s not a bubble cut now that I’m torturing myself over keeping. If I had to pick one of the backups, it'd be Allen for now. But Hooker should start this week’s exhibition contest against the Atlanta Falcons and the No. 2 quarterback job still seems open for the taking.
Running backs (4)
In: Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Sione Vaki, Craig Reynolds.
Also on the roster: Jabari Small, Kye Robichaux, Jacob Saylors.
My thoughts: Vaki has missed most of camp with a hamstring injury, but he’s in no danger of losing his job given his youth and role on special teams. Both Small and Robichaux run hard and have done some good things in camp, but Reynolds will be tough to overtake for a backup job. Robichaux hurt his shoulder in practice last week and did not play in the preseason opener, while Saylors just made it to town.
Wide receivers (6)
In: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick, Kalif Raymond, Isaac TeSlaa, Dominic Lovett.
Also on the roster: Jackson Meeks, Ronnie Bell, Jakobie Keeney-Jones, Tom Kennedy, Malik Taylor.
My thoughts: I had six receivers on my roster in the spring and nothing I’ve seen has changed my mind. Lovett had a mixed day against the Los Angeles Chargers, but has had a nice camp and could be a starting gunner on punt coverage this season. Patrick has had a sluggish camp and it’s possible one or both rookies surpass him on the gameday roster because of their special teams ability, but I have faith he’ll come around. There’s a practice squad spot or two available at the position that will be sorted out the next three weeks.
Tight ends (3)
In: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra.
Also on the roster: Kenny Yeboah, Zach Horton.
My thoughts: We haven’t talked enough about who fills the No. 3 tight end spot, but it feels like a legit toss up. Zylstra is the most familiar face and has mostly worked on the first-team field at the start of practice so he gets the edge for now. I need to see more of Yeboah, a free-agent addition, but he’s a player the team liked when he was coming out of college. I like what Horton adds as an H-back/fullback, but I think the Lions can probably stash him on practice squad.
Offensive line (9)
In: Taylor Decker, Christian Mahogany, Graham Glasgow, Tate Ratledge, Penei Sewell, Dan Skipper, Gio Manu, Kayode Awosika, Trystan Colon.
Physically unable to perform: Miles Frazier.
Also on the roster: Jamarco Jones, Colby Sorsdal, Mason Miller, Michael Niese, Netane Muti, Kingsley Eguakun.
My thoughts: Decker could come off the PUP list this week and at a minimum will be back in the starting lineup Week 1, while Frazier’s knee injury opens the door for someone else to make the initial 53-man roster. I gave Colon the last spot for his ability to play center, though Eguakun got the start at the position Thursday. Jones is the cut I most wanted to find a roster spot for. He’s ahead of Manu as a player, but the Lions drafted Manu for his upside and don’t need him even as their swing tackle now. Still, I’ll be keeping closer tabs on Jones in practice the next few weeks.
Defensive line (9)
In: Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, DJ Reader, Tyleik Williams, Roy Lopez, Pat O’Connor, Ahmed Hassanein, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Nate Lynn.
PUP list: Alim McNeill, Mekhi Wingo, Levi Onwuzurike.
Nonfootball injury list: Josh Paschal.
Also on the roster: Keith Cooper, Brodric Martin, Myles Adams, Chris Smith, Raequan Williams, Mitchell Agude, Isaac Ukwu.
My thoughts: The Lions have a lot of moving parts on the defensive line. Coach Dan Campbell said Paschal will need a few weeks of practice once he’s cleared to return, likely in early September, so I kept him on NFI to start the season. If he’s ready sooner, he’ll certainly be on the 53. McNeill and Wingo should be back at some point this season, while Onwuzurike’s injury keeps open the door for the Lions to sign a veteran pass rusher like Za’Darius Smith or Matthew Judon before Week 1. For now I gave Lynn the ninth and final roster spot ahead of Cooper and Smith but there’s no telling how the back of this group shakes out in a few weeks.
Linebacker (6)
In: Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, Derrick Barnes, Grant Stuard, Ezekiel Turner, Anthony Pittman.
PUP list: Malcolm Rodriguez.
Also on the roster: Zach Cunningham, Trevor Nowaske, DaRon Gilbert.
My thoughts: Now that Anzalone’s contract has been resolved, the top of this position is set with Anzalone, Campbell and Barnes returning as starters and Stuard and Turner filling key special teams roles. Rodriguez’s injury gives the Lions room to keep another linebacker, and that likely will be whoever has the best camp of Pittman, Nowaske, Cunningham and Gilbert, and whoever can contribute the most on special teams. I thought that was Pittman against the Chargers, so he gets the nod for now.
Defensive back (10)
In: Terrion Arnold, DJ Reed, Amik Robertson, Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch, Rock Ya-Sin, Avonte Maddox, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Dan Jackson, Erick Hallett.
PUP: Khalil Dorsey.
Also on the roster: Morice Norris, Ian Kennelly, Loren Strickland, Nick Whiteside, Tyson Russell, Dicaprio Bootle.
My thoughts: Dorsey still is making his way back from the broken leg he suffered late last season. If he returns before the end of camp, he’d be on the roster for his special teams ability and as a backup corner. Until then, I have Hallett penciled into the last roster spot at the position because of his versatility. Kennelly, the undrafted rookie from Grand Valley State, popped in the preseason game, though, and merits more watching for his physical ability. He didn’t play any special teams snaps against the Chargers, though, and while that could have been because he missed time with injury, I’d like to see him live in the kicking game before I elevate him onto the 53-man roster.
Special teams (3)
In: Jack Fox, Jake Bates, Hogan Hatten
My thoughts: Nothing has changed here. The Lions don’t even have a backup punter, kicker or long snapper on the roster.
Dave Birkett covers the Lions for the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at dbirkett@freepress.com. Follow him on Bluesky, X and Instagram at @davebirkett.