As the NFL season approaches its first week, several players will be vying for a spot on the Detroit Lions’ final 53-man roster. With 90 guys on the roster now, many players will need to prove themselves over the coming weeks to earn a spot on this team. The Lions’ offense will be crucial to their success this season, and this is what I anticipate the offensive roster to look like in Week 1.
Quarterbacks
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QB1: Jared Goff, QB2 Nate Sudfeld QB3, Hendon Hooker
Initially, Hooker was penciled in to be the backup quarterback, but reports indicate that he has been struggling, and Sudfeld has looked impressive. Sudfeld has been getting more reps with the second-team offense, along with getting the start in Week 1 of the preseason against the Giants. Although the Lions did recently sign Jake Fromm, I would still anticipate Sudfeld to be Goff’s backup for the 2024 season. I believe the Lions still see potential in Hooker, but as for right now, they want a veteran like Sudfeld to serve as the backup.
Running Backs
RB1 David Montgomery, RB2 Jahmyr Gibbs, RB3 Craig Reynolds, RB4 Sione Vaki
Running back is one of the Lions’ strongest positions, led by David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs is anticipated to have a fantastic sophomore season and continue to play a significant part in the Lions’ offense, even though Montgomery is projected to be the starter. Gibbs demonstrated during the end of last season that he could be one of the league’s top running backs in terms of both his receiving and rushing abilities.
Craig Reynolds is a valuable player for the Lions, and I anticipate that his role will remain unchanged from the previous season. He filled the spot as the ideal RB3, entering the game when Gibbs or Monty were injured. Sione Vaki, a rookie, is the final running back that will make the Lions roster. The fourth-round rookie out of Utah has shown a lot of promise throughout the preseason and is anticipated to be used in both the run game and potentially the new dynamic kickoff.
Wide Receivers
WR1 Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR2 Jameson Williams, WR3 Kalif Raymond, WR4 Daurice Fountain, WR5 Maurice Alexander
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Amon-Ra St. Brown signed a four-year, $30 million contract with the Lions after having an All-Pro season, securing his spot as the team’s top wide receiver of the future. Having been on fire in camp this year, Jameson Williams is expected to develop into the player Detroit had in mind when they selected him with the 12th overall pick.
Williams can be a quick option on reverse runs and trick plays, and if he can deliver, he will provide Detroit with a dependable deep threat. The final starting wide receiver spot belongs to Kalif Raymond. Although he has a low ceiling, Raymond has been a reliable option for Goff because of his consistency and strong connection with him.
Daurice Fountain and Maurice Alexander are the last two receivers I have making this roster. So far in camp, Fountain and Alexander have stood out; Fountain has even thrown himself into the WR3 discussion. He has been receiving a lot of reps with the first team, and if he keeps making plays, he may get a bit of action during the regular season. Alexander is expected to occupy Detroit’s final wide receiver spot, and his effectiveness on special teams will likely be a major factor.
Tight Ends
TE1: Sam LaPorta, TE2 Brock Wright, TE3 James Mitchell
Following an incredible rookie campaign, Sam LaPorta enters this season ranked among the league’s top five tight ends and will once again be one of quarterback Jared Goff’s go-to players. In addition to being a fantastic receiver, LaPorta is a tough blocker in the run game. Brock Wright, a guy who excels at blocking and has made several huge plays in recent years, is the projected TE2.
This offseason, Detroit signed Wright to a new contract, and it is anticipated that he will be among the NFL’s finest backup tight ends. James Mitchell has the third and final tight-end spot. Although Mitchell hasn’t stood out, I think Detroit likes his ability to block and the special teams skills he can provide. Although he hasn’t accomplished much in his first two seasons as a pass catcher, he could make a few huge plays that may be crucial for Detroit in the closing stages of a game.
Offensive Line
OL1 T Taylor Decker, G Graham Glasgow, C Frank Ragnow, G Kevin Zeitler, T Penei Sewell OL2 T Dan Skipper, G Christian Mahogany, G Kayode Awosika, T Colby Sorsdal, T Giovanni Manu
All-pros Frank Ragnow and Penei Sewell are two major reasons the Lions have what most people believe to be the top offensive line in the NFL. Sewell is regarded by many as the second-best tackle, only behind future Hall of Famer Trent Williams. And because of his exceptional pass-blocking and run-blocking abilities, many people believe that Ragnow is the best center in the NFL.
Pro bowler Kevin Zeitler quickly secured Jonah Jackson’s spot when the Lions lost him to the Rams in free agency. Graham Glasgow and Zeitler, who are both strong in the passing game and give Goff time to throw, will start opposite each other. Tackle Taylor Decker completes the starting offensive line. With Decker’s new three-year contract deal, Detroit’s tackle tandem should be set for the near future.
Giovanni Manu, Colby Sorsdal, Dan Skipper, Kayode Awosika, and Christian Mahogany are the five backup linemen I anticipate the Lions will retain. Skipper was a key member of Detroit’s offense as a sixth lineman who was frequently used. When guard Jonah Jackson was injured, Awosika was the primary backup and even started the NFC championship game. The other three are young guys that Detroit plans to train and utilize over the next few seasons.
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