Post-Draft Detroit Lions Depth Chart and 53-Man Roster Predictions
Dorf
This is the Detroit Lions predicted depth chart and 53-man roster as of right after the draft and before any undrafted free agent signings have been announced. Every year, the Detroit Lions usually keep one or two undrafted free agents on the active roster. At this time, this is my best prediction of the team that will hit the field week one for the Detroit Lions.
Note: Players with a strike through their name are not predicted to make the final 53-man roster\
Offense:
Backfield
QB
RB
FB
1
9 Matthew Stafford
1
?? Kerryon Johnson
1
?? Nick Bawden
2
14 Jake Rudock
2
29 LeGarrette Blount
3
8 Matt Cassel
3
25 Theo Riddick
4
21 Ameer Abdullah
5
34 Zach Zenner
6
36 Dwayne Washington
7
38 Tion Green
I am predicting that the Detroit Lions will keep only two Quarterbacks and they will be the same two that were on the roster to begin the 2017 season. Veteran Matt Cassel was brought in for not only a camp arm, but to challenge/tutor young backup Jake Rudock.
The Detroit Lions invested two draft picks in their Running Back Corps and also made a signing on the free agent market. Former UDFA’s Zach Zenner and Tion Green will likely be cut due to their lack of explosiveness. Dwayne Washington has been a disappointment during his tenure in Detroit, however, expectations shouldn’t have been very high on him as a former seventh round pick. He will be cut as well. Ameer Abdullah will hold on to his roster spot as of now, but will likely be inactive if all other players are healthy.
I expect Nick Bawden to have a UDFA or veteran brought in to challenge him in training camp if the team is serious about keeping a Fullback. However, Bawden is the odds on favorite to win the Fullback job, if they decide to keep one at all.
Wideouts
WR1
WR2
WR3
TE
1
11 Marvin Jones Jr.
1
15 Golden Tate
1
19 Kenny Golladay
1
82 Luke Willson
2
13 TJ Jones
2
16 Jace Billingsley
2
83 Dontez Ford
2
80 Michael Roberts
3
12 Bradley Marquez
3
17 Andy Jones
3
87 Levine Toilolo
4
84 Hakeem Valles
5
85 Brandon Barnes
I fully expect the Detroit Lions to keep five Wide Receivers and three Tight Ends after final cuts. I however do not believe the fifth Receiver is on the roster right now and will be a veteran, late in camp signing, or a UDFA that thrives during training camp.
The Detroit Lions will roll with the same core group of Wide Receivers that they did to start last year. Although I show Jace Billingsley making the final roster, I think he’s the odd man out when it comes to adding a veteran.
The Detroit Lions lost two of their three Tight Ends from last season and are returning all of four receptions from the position for 2018. Free Agent signings Luke Willson and Levine Toilolo will make the final roster, Toilolo fulfilling the Blocking Tight End role occupied by Darren Fells in 2017. Michael Roberts will see his action increase, but will probably see split duty with Willson.
Offensive Line
Left Tackle
Left Guard
Center
Right Guard
Right Tackle
1
68 Taylor Decker
1
60 Graham Glasgow
1
?? Frank Ragnow
1
76 T.J. Lang
1
71 Rick Wagner
2
70 Corey Robinson
2
79 Kenny Wiggins
2
73 Wesley Johnson
2
66 Joe Dahl
2
?? Tyrell Crosby
3
72 Brian Mihalik
3
75 Leo Koloamatangi
3
74 Dan Skipper
The Detroit Lions invested heavily for a third consecutive off-season in the Offensive Line, again taking two draft picks, including their first rounder. This position group has no excuse to be anything but elite. Bob Quinn also added two veteran free agent depth pieces (Wiggins and Johnson) who will compete for jobs.
I currently have the Lions keeping nine offensive lineman. The usual number is eight, with seven being active on game day.
The starters are essentially set, with the only decision being between Graham Glasgow and Frank Ragnow. Who will line up at Center and who will line up at Left Guard?
If the Lions decide only to keep eight Offensive Lineman to open the regular season, I expect Corey Robinson to be the odd man out. While he can play four of the five positions, he is the least expensive to release. I would say he is more talented than Kenny Wiggins, but the Lions made a 2-year commitment to Wiggins this off-season with guaranteed money. Cutting Wiggins in 2018 would result in $2.0 million in dead money.
I fully expect that 2018 fifth round pick Tyrell Crosby will be the first off the bench in the case of any injury. Joe Dahl could challenge for the primary backup guard spot as well. Wiggins is your healthy scratch if all goes according to plan.
Defense:
Photo: Detroit Free Press
Notes:
I am predicting that the Detroit Lions will primary play a “3-4” scheme, but will spend more than two thirds of their snaps in a 3-3-5 Nickel Package, with the RUSH linebacker being on the line of scrimmage to the weak side of the formation.
The Base Nickel package will feature three Safeties instead of three Corner Backs. However, there will be a 3-3-5 package with three Corner Backs as an option.
There will be also a 4-2-5 package that will be used heavily.
Defensive Line
NT
DT
DE
1
91 A’Shawn Robinson
1
97 Akeem Spence
1
94 Ezekiel Ansah
2
92 Sylvester Williams
2
?? Da’Shawn Hand
2
61 Kerry Hyder Jr.
3
63 Toby Johnson
3
98 Jeremiah Ledbetter
3
90 Cornelius Washington
4
78 Jeremiah Valoaga
For now, I am listing Defensive End Anthony Zettel in with the RUSH Linebackers. He will be a Pass Rush Specialist, regardless of what you call him on the roster.
The Lions will likely only keep four guys over 300 pounds and four or five that are 270 plus pounds. The base “3-4” package will feature two 300 pounders and one 270 pounds plus.
A’Shawn Robinson will likely play more alongside Sylvester Williams than Akeem Spence, but expect all three to see heavy playing time.
Da’Shawn Hand and Cornelius Washington will see time at both Defensive Tackle (Three-Technique) and Defensive End (Five-Technique).
The odd man out if they decide to keep one less Defensive Lineman is going to be Cornelius Washington. His release will require some dead cap, but Jeremiah Ledbetter would get snatched up on waivers before the Detroit Lions tried to stash him on the practice squad.
Ledbetter could also lose some weight, going back to his college weight, and see time at both the DT and DE spots as well.
Linebackers
RUSH
WLB
MLB
1
42 Devon Kennard
1
52 Christian Jones
1
40 Jarrad Davis
2
69 Anthony Zettel
2
44 Jalen Reeves-Maybin
2
43 Nick Bellore
3
57 Cam Johnson
3
55 Jonathan Freeny
3
54 Steve Longa
4
58 Alex Barrett
4
53 Brandon Chubb
As mentioned above, Anthony Zettel will play the “RUSH” position, but you’ll never see him in man coverage. He’ll drop into the occasional zone coverage, like he did in 2017, but his only job will to be to get to the passer.
With that being said the Lions are likely to keep seven Linebackers in total, even going as light as six if they decide to keep a fifth Running Back, a third Quarterback, or an extra Defensive Back.
Free Agent signings Devon Kennard and Christian Jones will start from day one, with last years fourth round pick Jalen Reeves-Maybin challenging Jones for playing time.
Jarrad Davis has the Middle Linebacker job for now. The team could slide Jones into the middle and start Reeves-Maybin on his flank if Davis doesn’t have a great camp.
Nick Bellore and Jonathan Freeny have the two other reserve roles for now, but could be bounced by a later addition to the roster. Their jobs aren’t 100 percent safe, but if the this is the final roster on cut day, they both make the team.
I expect the Lions to try and add another Davon Kennard type player to the roster before week one.
Secondary
CB
CB
NICKEL
FS
SS
1
23 Darius Slay
1
31 Teez Tabor
1
39 Jamal Agnew
1
27 Glover Quin
1
28 Quandre Diggs
2
24 Nevin Lawson
2
26 DeShawn Shead
2
46 Raysean Pringle
2
35 Miles Killebrew
2
32 Tavon Wilson
3
45 Charles Washington
3
?? Tracy Walker
4
41 Rolan Milligan
4
30 Stefan McClure
I expect the Detroit Lions to keep 11 Defensive Backs on their roster. Five true Corners, four true Safeties, and two guys that can do either (Quandre Diggs and Tracy Walker).
The Detroit Lions are far from done adding to their training camp roster at Defensive Back. Expect a flurry of signings in the coming days.
The top five Corner Back jobs are set. The question is in what order they follow the clear leader of the pack, Darius Slay.
I predict that Teez Tabor, last years second round pick will win the “starting” job, but will fail to see 50 percent of the total snaps at the position.
DeShawn Shead is the second best option for an outside Cornerback. Nevin Lawson will see some time on defense, but not as much as last year.
I expect Jamal Agnew to see some time as a dime back, covering backs out of the backfield. He did well in this role in limited action in 2017.
The Detroit Lions basic package (3-3-5) will feature three safeties, those being Glover Quin, Tavon Wilson, and Diggs. Wilson and Diggs will be down in the box, with Quin playing deep Center Field.
Charles Washington will be the odd man out if they decide to shorten the Defensive Back Corps.
Specialists
Photo: Mlive.com
Punter
Kicker
Long Snapper
1
6 Sam Martin
1
5 Matt Prater
1
48 Don Muhlbach
KOS
Punt Returner
Kick Returner
1
6 Sam Martin
1
39 Jamal Agnew
1
39 Jamal Agnew
2
15 Golden Tate
2
21 Ameer Abdullah
3
?? Kerryon Johnson
I fully expect the Detroit Lions to get the band back together.
