Two preseason games are in the books and the Detroit Lions finally won their first preseason game under the helm of head coach Dan Cambell as they defeated the Indianapolis Colts by a score of 27-26 on Saturday afternoon.
As we move closer and closer to the 2022 regular season, I will continue to release my most recent 53-man roster projection and with two preseason games behind us, I give you my latest 2022 Detroit Lions 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 (2)
Jared Goff
David Blough
Goff is the obvious starter here and I expect David Blough to beat out Tim Boyle, though Boyle is right back in the race following a solid performance against the Colts.
Running backs (4)
D’Andre Swift
Jamaal Williams
Craig Reynolds
Jermar Jefferson
Swift and Williams (going into the final year of his contract) are a solid 1-2 punch IF they can stay healthy.
Wide receivers (6)
Amon-Ra St. Brown
DJ Chark
Josh Reynolds
Kalif Raymond
Quintez Cephus
Trinity Benson
This may not be a popular decision but I just don’t think Tom Kennedy brings enough to the table in terms of special teams to make this roster. If Cephus is not ready for Week 1, Kennedy would get the nod.
Tight Ends (4)
T.J. Hockenson
Brock Wright
James Mitchell
Shane Zylstra
Look for rookie James Mitchell to earn the No. 2 spot on the roster behind T.J. Hockenson at some point but for now, Brock Wright is the guy.
Offensive Line (9)
Taylor Decker (LT)
Jonah Jackson (LG)
Frank Ragnow (C)
Halapoulivaati Vaitai (RG)
Penei Sewell (RT)
Dan Skipper (OT)
Matt Nelson (OT)
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 Dan Skipper making the roster.
Detroit Lions Defense
Defensive Line/EDGE (8)
Michael Brockers (DL)
Alim McNeill (DL)
Levi Onwuzurike (DL) (Will he ready to go???)
Jashon Cornell (DL)
Austin Bryant (EDGE)
Aidan Hutchinson (EDGE) (Rookie)
Charles Harris (EDGE)
Isaiah Buggs (DL)
Linebackers (6)
Alex Anzalone
Malcolm Rodriguez (Rookie)
Derrick Barnes
Chris Board
Julian Okwara
James Houston (Rookie)
Malcolm Rodriguez is wowing everybody and he is not only a lock to make the team but he could become a starter sooner than later.
Cornerbacks/Safeties (11)
Amani Oruwariye (CB)
Jeff Okudah (CB)
Ifeatu Melifonwu (CB)
Bobby Price (CB)
Will Harris (CB)
AJ Parker (CB)
Tracy Walker (S)
DeShon Elliott (S)
Kerby Joseph (S) (Rookie)
Chase Lucas (CB) (Rookie)
C.J. Moore (S)
It will be interesting to see how well Jeff Okudah performs over the final weeks of training camp and the Lions final preseason game.
Special Teams (3)
Jack Fox (P)
Austin Seibert (K)
Scott Daly (LS)
Nation, do you agree with all 53 of these selections? If not, which changes would you make?
