We are literally days away from training camp and the Detroit Lions rookies have already reported to Allen Park with veterans joining them on Tuesday.
As we move closer to the 2022 regular season, I will continue to release my most recent 53-man roster projection and with training camp nearly upon us, I give you my 2022 Detroit Lions Pre-Training Camp 53-man roster projection.
As you can see below, I still think rookie WR Jameson Williams will begin the regular season on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list.
Of the eight players the Lions selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, I currently have five of those players making the initial 53-man roster.
Offense
Quarterbacks (3)
Jared Goff
Tim Boyle
David Blough
Goff is the obvious starter here and I expect Tim Boyle to be the backup, once again.
Running backs (5)
D’Andre Swift
Jamaal Williams
Craig Reynolds
Jermar Jefferson
Jason Cabinda (FB)
Swift and Williams (going into the final year of his contract) are a solid 1-2 punch IF they can stay healthy. Keep an eye on UDFA Greg Bell as he could very well sneak onto the roster.
Wide receivers (5)
Amon-Ra St. Brown
DJ Chark
Josh Reynolds
Kalif Raymond
Quintez Cephus
Jameson Williams* (Predicting to start on PUP list)
This group actually looks formidable, especially once Jameson Williams is in the mix. Trinity Benson is also in the mix to make the cut but I’m not sure there is a spot for them.
Tight Ends (3)
T.J. Hockenson
Brock Wright
Shane Zylstra
*James Mitchell (Rookie) (PUP list)
Look for rookie James Mitchell to earn the No. 2 spot on the roster behind T.J. Hockenson at some point but it looks like the PUP list is in his future.
Offensive Line (9)
Taylor Decker (LT)
Jonah Jackson (LG)
Frank Ragnow (C)
Halapoulivaati Vaitai (RG)
Penei Sewell (RT)
Obinna Eze (OT)
Logan Stenberg (LG)
Evan Brown (C)
Tommy Kraemer (G)
The Lions will have one of the top offensive lines in the NFL if they can remain healthy. As you can see, I now have Obinna Eze making the roster over Dan Skipper.
http://gty.im/1240313004
Detroit Lions Defense
Defensive Line/EDGE (8)
Michael Brockers (DL)
Alim McNeill (DL)
Levi Onwuzurike (DL)
Jashon Cornell (DL)
Romeo Okwara (EDGE)
Aidan Hutchinson (EDGE) (Rookie)
Charles Harris (EDGE)
Josh Paschal (DL/EDGE) (Rookie)
Note: There is still a good chance that Romeo Okwara starts on the PUP list but for the moment I am going to leave him on this projection.
Linebackers (6)
Alex Anzalone
Derrick Barnes
Chris Board
Julian Okwara
Malcolm Rodriguez (Rookie)
James Houston (Rookie)
Keep a close eye on Malcolm Rodriguez as he has a nose for the football and is not afraid to mix it up.
http://gty.im/1334563457
Cornerbacks/Safeties (11)
Amani Oruwariye (CB)
Jeff Okudah (CB)
Ifeatu Melifonwu (CB)
Mike Hughes (CB)
Will Harris (S/CB)
AJ Parker (CB)
Tracy Walker (S)
DeShon Elliott (S)
Kerby Joseph (S) (Rookie)
Chase Lucas (CB) (Rookie)
C.J. Moore (S)
*Jerry Jacobs (CB)
It will be interesting to see how well Jeff Okudah performs following an Achilles injury that sidelined him last season.
Special Teams (3)
Jack Fox (P)
Riley Patterson (K)
Scott Daly (LS)
Nation, do you agree with all 53 of these selections? If not, which changes would you make?
