{"id":298215,"date":"2025-08-18T14:48:14","date_gmt":"2025-08-18T14:48:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/298215\/"},"modified":"2025-08-18T14:48:14","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T14:48:14","slug":"2025-detroit-lions-53-man-roster-prediction-changes-at-wr-db","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/298215\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Detroit Lions 53-man roster prediction: Changes at WR, DB"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Detroit Lions<\/a> have three preseason games in the books after previously facing off against the Los Angeles Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, and, most recently, the Miami Dolphins. That means it\u2019s time for another installment of our 53-man roster projection.<\/p>\n

As has become tradition, Jeremy Reisman and I collaborate on this projection in an attempt to give you a balanced look at where the roster sits coming out of the summer break. We come together to debate the roster, fight for our favorites, and compromise when possible. We will publish updated collaborative editions of the 53-man projection throughout training camp. Then, at cutdowns, we will each publish our own projections.<\/p>\n

Note: An asterisk (*) denotes the player is a rookie<\/p>\n

Jared Goff
Kyle Allen
Hendon Hooker<\/p>\n

Dan Campbell ensured there was no question about who the current leader for the backup job is<\/a>, but now the question is whether the Lions will keep Hooker around as a third. The best case I can make for it is that he\u2019s still on a cost-controlled rookie contract, and I\u2019m not putting further development out of the question. However, this is a championship-level ballclub right now, and roster spots are too valuable. Keeping only two quarterbacks likely means adding one after cutdowns, because Hooker is unlikely to clear waivers. A brand-new practice squad QB is far from ideal, but it\u2019s the hand Detroit has been given.<\/p>\n

Jahmyr Gibbs
David Montgomery
Craig Reynolds
Sione Vaki
Jacob Saylors
Deon Jackson<\/p>\n

With Vaki returning from a hamstring injury and shining in the preseason game against the Dolphins, he likely put to rest any lingering thoughts of the Lions needing to make adjustments to this group. The top four backs look set, and the final preseason game against the Falcons will likely focus on Saylors and Jackson battling for a spot on the practice squad.<\/p>\n

Amon-Ra St. Brown
Jameson Williams
Tim Patrick
Kalif Raymond
Isaac TeSlaa*
Jackson Meeks*
Dominic Lovett*
Tom Kennedy
Ronnie Bell
Jakobie Keeney-James*
Malik Taylor<\/p>\n

Jackson Meeks has done everything right to earn a spot. He\u2019s been productive, he blocks his ass off, he plays special teams, and per Dan Campbell, he\u2019s \u201cimproved every day, every week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Erik and I debated for a long time whether Meeks had become WR6 or if he had warranted keeping a seventh receiver. While I was initially against the idea, Lovett is Detroit\u2019s best option to back up Kalif Raymond for both this year and the future. With a shortened offseason due to injury, I think the Lions will want to keep Lovett around to see his development through. In the meantime, he can still contribute on special teams.<\/p>\n

Meeks could also make an argument for Patrick\u2019s spot, but we think Brad Holmes will value the experience and trustworthiness Patrick brings.<\/p>\n

Sam LaPorta
Brock Wright
Shane Zylstra
Zach Horton*
Steven Stilianos
Gunnar Oakes <\/p>\n

One of the positions we considered reducing in order to make room for Meeks was tight end. Zylstra maintains a lead over Horton for the TE3 position, but there\u2019s an argument to be made that neither has done enough to warrant a spot beyond a practice squad elevation. At the end of the day, the Lions surely would prefer the convenience of having a third option on the roster, for offense and special teams, and keeping the experienced veteran makes sense.<\/p>\n

Penei Sewell
Taylor Decker
Dan Skipper
Giovanni Manu
Jamarco Jones
Mason Miller*
Gunner Britton<\/p>\n

It\u2019s interesting to see Jamarco Jones jump Giovanni Manu in playing time, but I don\u2019t think the second-year offensive tackle is in any danger of losing his roster spot. Dan Skipper had a relatively quiet day against the Dolphins, which is always a good thing for a tackle. And with him now playing the left and right side, Skipper\u2019s roster spot feels safer than ever.<\/p>\n

Interior offensive line (5 + 1 PUP)<\/p>\n

Graham Glasgow
Christian Mahogany
Tate Ratledge*
Kayode Awosika
Kingsley Eguakun
Trystan Colon
Netane Muti
Michael Niese
Zack Johnson<\/p>\n

Active\/PUP<\/a>: Miles Frazier*<\/p>\n

When Colon went down with an injury, an opportunity to seize the backup center job opened up for Eguakun opened and he appears to have grabbed it. He\u2019s made steady progress over the last couple of weeks and has separated himself from Niese in their competition. Muti had a solid last game, reminding us not to rule him fully out just yet, but Awosika has looked strong as a guard-flexible reserve.<\/p>\n

Aidan Hutchinson
Marcus Davenport
Josh Paschal (Active\/NFI<\/a>)
Al-Quadin Muhammad
Nate Lynn
Ahmed Hassanein* (injured)
Mitchell Agude
Isaac Ukwu<\/p>\n

We\u2019re making a few assumptions here. One, we\u2019re assuming Dan Campbell sticks to his word that Josh Paschal could return to practice in early September. The only way that happens is if the Lions take him off NFI; otherwise, he\u2019d have to be sidelined from practice and games for the first four weeks of the season, minimum.<\/p>\n

The other assumption is that the Lions are getting bad news on Hassanein\u2019s injury from Saturday night. Campbell seemed to indicate it could sideline him a little bit<\/a>, which may not be as bad as it sounds. As long as it\u2019s not a season-ending injury, the Lions could be well-positioned to handle his injury. If they place him on one of the two IR-to-return spots at roster cutdowns, it would open up an opportunity for a guy like Nate Lynn, who is having a strong preseason. Then, when Hassanein is back and ready, he could return after a minimum of four weeks.<\/p>\n

Defensive tackle (5 + 2 PUP)<\/p>\n

DJ Reader
Tyleik Williams*
Roy Lopez
Pat O\u2019Connor
Keith Cooper*
Chris Smith
Myles Adams
Brodric Martin<\/p>\n

Active\/PUP<\/a>: Alim McNeill, Mekhi Wingo<\/p>\n

While we are optimistic on Paschal, we\u2019re less optimistic on Wingo\u2019s potential return, which opens up a fifth roster spot on the defensive line. Last week, we considered Chris Smith for the role, but Cooper\u2019s positional range and consistent early opportunities from the coaching staff have won us over. Not only is Cooper the primary 4i with O\u2019Connor filling in at 3-technique, but he\u2019s also been repping at the 3T and nose tackle in pass rushing situations. We\u2019d love to see more on-field production out of Cooper, but he\u2019s steady enough against the run to fill a need on the roster.<\/p>\n

Alex Anzalone
Jack Campbell
Derrick Barnes
Grant Stuard
Trevor Nowaske
Zach Cunningham
Anthony Pittman
Ezekiel Turner
DaRon Gilbert<\/p>\n

Active\/PUP<\/a>: Malcolm Rodriguez<\/p>\n

We\u2019re sticking with what we\u2019ve had for this room for several weeks now. Nowaske is a special teams fiend and the team\u2019s best backup SAM linebacker. While Cunningham has looked like a savvy vet this preseason. They could always do some weird roster gymnastics by cutting someone like Cunningham (who isn\u2019t subject to waivers as a veteran) and immediately bringing him back. But as of now, there\u2019s no reason to do so.<\/p>\n

Terrion Arnold
D.J. Reed
Amik Robertson
Rock Ya-Sin
Khalil Dorsey (Active\/PUP<\/a>)
Erick Hallett
Nick Whiteside
Tyson Russell
D.J. Miller
Luq Barcoo
Allan George<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s where the cut for Meeks comes. In a perfect world, we\u2019d love to have room for a sixth corner, but with Ya-Sin and Avonte Maddox cross-training at both safety and corner, we felt comfortable with the team\u2019s depth in the secondary. If we were to find a roster spot for another defensive back, the decision was down to Hallett and Whiteside. Last week, we leaned towards Whiteside because of his coverage skills, but Hallett\u2019s positional range to play all five defensive back spots, ability to fill gaps in run support, and decent coverage skills have put him in the lead. Unfortunately, we deemed Meeks too valuable to expose to waivers, and Hallett becomes player 54 on the roster.<\/p>\n

Brian Branch
Kerby Joseph
Avonte Maddox
Ian Kennelly*
Loren Strickland
Morice Norris<\/p>\n

The room looks thin, but Rock Ya-Sin has been repping at safety for weeks now and may even be considered a full-time safety at this point. Regardless, he\u2019s an option. Additionally, if Erick Hallett makes the team or the practice squad, he could always be an emergency option, as well.<\/p>\n

While I thought Loren Strickland had a strong game against the Dolphins, Kennelly has now repped ahead of him for several weeks, both on defense and on special teams. Strickland is a great candidate to be put on the practice squad.<\/p>\n

Jack Fox (P)
Jake Bates (K)
Hogan Hatten (LS)<\/p>\n

Life is easy for these three right now.<\/p>\n

At a glance, here\u2019s a look at our current 53-man roster projection:<\/p>\n

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