The Detroit Lions open the regular season on Sept. 13 at home against Chicago, but before the Lions get there, they have to establish a 53-man roster. This is a look at what general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia might come up with. Note: This projection has 54 players, because safety Jayron Kearse is suspended for the first three games of the 2020 season.
Here is a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Matthew Stafford, Chase Daniel, David Blough
It is a tough question to keep three quarterbacks, but Blough had an impressive camp -- at times outperforming Daniel. Combine that with the tape that is available on Blough from last season and he's no lock to clear waivers. So in a year where having extra players at key positions could be more valuable than ever, Blough sticks behind Detroit's top two of Stafford and Daniel.
RUNNING BACK (5): Kerryon Johnson, D'Andre Swift, Bo Scarbrough, Ty Johnson, Jason Huntley
Johnson and Swift are set. Scarbrough has been injured for most of training camp, which could open up opportunities for Wes Hills or Jonathan Williams if the Lions end up concerned about his durability. Johnson has been impressive enough in camp to win a job, plus he has special teams value. Huntley, a rookie, has been inconsistent but his speed is rare and he's shown high-level instincts as a pass-catcher.
FULLBACK (1): Jason Cabinda
He moved over from linebacker at the beginning of training camp and has been consistent ever since. Cabinda has shown ability in his new role and also offers the Lions some positional flexibility as he could play linebacker in a pinch. That could help if injuries or COVID-19 hit the Lions.
WIDE RECEIVER (6): Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr., Danny Amendola, Marvin Hall, Quintez Cephus, Jamal Agnew
Golladay, Jones Jr. and Amendola are locks. Hall still is Detroit's best deep option, and Cephus largely had good practice days in camp, able to win the ball in the air and had precise route-running. He clearly belongs. Agnew was the big question, having transitioned from cornerback in the offseason. But his ability to run routes and create separation -- along with his speed and his return ability -- place him on the roster and perhaps as the eventual replacement for Amendola in the future.
TIGHT END (3): T.J. Hockenson, Jesse James, Matt Sokol
Hockenson has had a good camp and looks like a breakout player this fall. James looked better this season than last, but his contract and $2.55 million of guaranteed salary mean he's going to be on the team. Plus, he has pass-catching value. The question is at the third tight end spot, where an injury to Hunter Bryant made this more of a question. Isaac Nauta has shown flashes but Sokol has the body to be a dynamic blocker and also showed in camp to be a consistent red zone presence.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (8): Taylor Decker, Joe Dahl, Frank Ragnow, Jonah Jackson, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Tyrell Crosby, Logan Stenberg, Kenny Wiggins
All eight of these players appear to be pretty set as the starting five, the top tackle off the bench (Crosby), a fourth-round pick (Stenberg) and a player who can literally play all five line positions if necessary (Wiggins). The question is whether or not Detroit keeps Oday Aboushi as well as an interior line option. It wouldn't shock me at all to see him on the roster.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (7): Trey Flowers, Romeo Okwara, Nick Williams, Danny Shelton, Julian Okwara, Da'Shawn Hand, John Penisini
Like the offensive line, the top end is pretty set. The biggest question is whether the Lions choose to go with more of a run-stopper or pass-rusher as the backup tackle. I went with the run-stopper in Penisini because both Hand and Romeo Okwara can play inside if necessary. Like Aboushi, it would not surprise me if the Lions kept Kevin Strong - either over Penisini or a player at another position.
LINEBACKER (6): Jamie Collins, Jarrad Davis, Jahlani Tavai, Christian Jones, Reggie Ragland, Jalen Reeves-Maybin
This seems pretty locked in as the group, with all having roles. Ragland has made multiple plays during training camp, including a 100-yard interception return of Stafford. Reeves-Maybin continually stood out in individual drills and can be a depth coverage linebacker. He's also one of Detroit's top special teams players.
CORNERBACK (6): Desmond Trufant, Jeff Okudah, Amani Oruwariye, Justin Coleman, Darryl Roberts, Tony McRae
The real question here is what happens at the fifth and sixth (and seventh?) cornerback spots. Roberts, based off a $1 million guarantee between signing bonus and contract for 2020, gets the edge over Mike Ford, who could end up on the practice squad or even the roster if the Lions go a different direction. McRae has made plays throughout training camp -- including four pass breakups in a day -- and has familiarity with special teams coordinator Brayden Coombs from Cincinnati.
SAFETY (5): Duron Harmon, Tracy Walker, Will Harris, C.J. Moore, Miles Killebrew
Kearse's suspension likely opens up a spot for Moore or Killebrew to be on the roster (perhaps both). Moore has consistently run with the second team and was valuable on special teams last season. Killebrew has positional flexibility between linebacker and safety -- similar to what the Lions might get out of Kearse -- and is one of Detroit's top special teams players, as well.
SPECIALISTS (3): Matt Prater, Arryn Siposs, Don Muhlbach
It's very possible between the practice squad and regular roster the Lions keep five specialists. Admittedly knowing little about long-snapping, it appeared Steven Wirtel had a better camp than Don Muhlbach. The punter competition, without games to judge off of, is a complete mystery and neither Jack Fox nor Siposs truly appeared to be that much better than the other.