The 2023 Detroit Lions have high hopes and high aspirations the team completed minicamp and a vision for the 53-man roster has been cast. Currently sitting with 90 players the team had some standouts during the offseason camp. So what could the roster look like for a team on the rise and a team that has a championship in their sights?
Quarterbacks- Jared Goff, fresh off a season that saw the veteran signal caller post 29-tds, 7-ints, 4438 yds with a QB rating of 99.32, Goff is the clear cut starter.
Backup- Nate Sudfeld, is the reserve for now as the team drafted Hendon Hooker from the University of Tennessee. Hooker is thought to be the starting QB of the future but he will begin the season on the non-football injury list as he continues to rehab a knee injury suffered last season at Tennessee.
Running Backs- David Montgomery, free agent signee from the Chicago Bears looks to be the starter.
Reserves- Jahmyr Gibbs, Craig Reynolds, Jason Cabinda round out the running backs. Right now there is no projected backup that will playout during training camp.
Wide receivers- The starters look to be; Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams* (once his six game suspension is served), and Marvin Jones.
Reserves- Kalif Raymond, Josh Reynolds, Antoine Green
Tight ends- Rookie Sam LaPorta looks the part of the starting TE already. But the Lions will carry three at the position.
Reserves- Brock Wright, James Mitchell round out the TE group and each will see playing time the rotation is unknown at this time.
Offensive line- Unless there is an injury the starters are set in stone, LT Taylor Decker, LG Jonah Jackson, C Frank Ragnow, RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai, RT Penei Sewell form one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.
Reserves- OT Matt Nelson, C Ross Pierschbacher, OL Colby Sorsdal, IOL Graham Glasgow
Defensive Tackle- Starters could be Alim McNeill, Christian Covington
Reserves- Brodric Martin, Isaiah Buggs, personally I could see Buggs make a push for starter. Keep and eye on Benito Jones who I believe will win the remaining DE spot during training camp. It will not be easy, but Jones athleticism looks to give him a leg up.
Edge rusher- Starters are locked in Aidan Hutchinson, and Charles Harris
Reserves- Josh Paschal, John Cominsky, James Houston, Romeo Okwara Paschal, who appeared in 10 after recovering from injury looks to have a larger role.
Linebackers- Starters- Alex Anzalone, Malcolm Rodriguez
Reserves- Derrick Barnes, Jack Campbell, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Anthony Pittman, many believe Campbell will be a starter and very well could be. But starting roles are earned. Based on last season I am giving Rodriguez the nod for now.
Cornerbacks- Starters- Cam Sutton, Jerry Jacobs, C.J. Gardner-Johnson-(in the slot)
Reserves- Will Harris, Brian Branch, Starling Thomas, I can see Branch getting an expanded role soon. He looked good in minicamp.
Safeties- Starters- Tracy Walker, Kerby Joseph; Walker is recovering from a torn achilles tendon and could be eased back into action.
Reserves- Saivion Smith, Ifeatu Melifonwu
Specialist- Kicker- Michael Badgley, Punter- Jack Fox, Long snapper- Jake McQuade
That is how I see the Detroit Lions 53- man roster shaping up before training camp opens in July. Let me know your thoughts on the roster.
