DETROIT, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions will open the 2021 NFL regular season against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 12 at Ford Field. The Lions finished 2020 with a 5-11 record, last in the NFC North.
New quarterback Jared Goff has a tough act to follow in Matthew Stafford, who spent 12 seasons in Detroit. Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson and running back D'Andre Swift are projected to be impact players for the squad, but there are still a lot unknowns -- particularly within the receiving corps -- on the team.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection:
QUARTERBACK (3): Jared Goff, Tim Boyle, David Blough
Goff will try to revitalize his career in his first season with the Lions. He says he feels empowered by new head coach Dan Campbell and offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn because they gathered his input when developing the new system. Detroit also didn't draft a quarterback, so he won't be looking over his shoulder throughout the season.
RUNNING BACK (3): D'Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, Jermar Jefferson
Despite concerns from the coaching staff, due to an early groin injury, Swift has a serious chance to be "the guy" if he's able to recover well. He has a solid No. 2 in Williams while Jefferson also adds all-around skill to the group. Detroit hasn't had a 1,000-yard rusher since Reggie Bush in 2013, the longest active drought in the NFL.
FULLBACK (1): Jason Cabinda
The Penn State product gives the roster flexibility with his ability to run and catch. His consistency throughout training camp has been impressive. "I'm a (Jason) Cabinda fan because I know what the guy is," said Campbell.
WIDE RECEIVER (5): Tyrell Williams, Breshad Perriman, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Quintez Cephus, Kalif Raymond
This group still remains the biggest question mark within the team, but Williams, Cephus, and rookie St. Brown have all drawn praise from the coaching staff. Williams has been banged up, but will likely be the No. 1 receiver option while Perriman's status is unclear as he battled a hip injury. My guess is that he makes the team.
TIGHT END (3): T.J. Hockenson, Darren Fells, Alize Mack
This offseason has been a big one for Hockenson, as he prepares for a bigger role. He could very well be the focal point of the team's offense, but Fells and Mack will also give the team depth at the position.
OFFENSIVE LINE (8): Taylor Decker, Jonah Jackson, Frank Ragnow, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Penei Sewell, Tyrell Crosby, Logan Stenberg, Evan Brown
The more experience, the better for seventh-overall pick Penei Sewell. You don't just throw around "generational talent" when describing a rookie entering the league, but the Lions have high expectations for Sewell, although he made a few mistakes in preseason action. The offensive line is one of the strong points of this roster, with solid pros around Sewell -- such as Decker, Jackson, Ragnow and Vaitai -- as the former Oregon left tackle adjusts to the right side.
DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Michael Brockers, Levi Onwuzurike, Alim McNeill, Da'Shawn Hand, Nick Williams, Bruce Hector
The Lions had the worst defense in the league under former head coach Matt Patricia. Former NFL veteran Aaron Glenn is looking to change things around as the new defensive coordinator. The staff is high on rookies Onwuzurike and McNeill to contribute early.
LINEBACKERS (10): Trey Flowers, Charles Harris, Jahlani Tavai, Jamie Collins Sr., Alex Anzalone, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Romeo Okwara, Julian Okwara, Austin Bryant, Derrick Barnes
Detroit desperately needs someone to step up in this role. Tavai knows he could be on his last leg if he doesn't have a productive season, but he didn't view this training camp as pressure to make the cut, but more so "fighting for a job," he said.
CORNERBACK (7): Jeff Okudah, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Amani Oruwariye, Mike Ford, AJ Parker, Bobby Price, Nickell Robey-Coleman
New defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant is working to boost the confidence and production of 2020 No. 3 overall pick Okudah after a rough first season. Undrafted rookie Parker is one of the sleeper free agents who has stepped up and even taken first-team reps at the nickel spot.
SAFETY (4): Will Harris, Tracy Walker, C.J. Moore, Dean Marlowe
Walker and Harris could benefit from the new coaching staff, notably Glenn. Prior to Detroit, Glenn worked on the New Orleans Saints staff, which ranked among the best in the league in 2020 so he also has the respect of Moore and Marlowe.
SPECIALISTS (3): Randy Bullock, Jack Fox, Scott Daly
Long snapper Daly has big shoes to fill after the Lions released Don Muhlbach, who was entering his 18th season. In just his first season, Fox made the Pro Bowl last year.