ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- The Detroit Lions open the 2023 NFL regular season at the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 7 at Arrowhead Stadium.
Expectations are high around this roster, which coach Dan Campbell considers his best group on both sides of the ball of his three-year Lions tenure.
Quarterback Jared Goff spearheads an offense that was one of the league's best last season. But the team is looking to make a leap on defense with budding stars Aidan Hutchinson and Kerby Joseph leading the way at defensive end and safety, respectively.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection for the Lions:
QUARTERBACK (2): Jared Goff, Teddy Bridgewater
Goff is the clear-cut starter, but the Lions added Bridgewater for depth. Third-round pick Hendon Hooker will start the season on the non-football injury list while he recovers from a torn ACL.
RUNNING BACK (4): Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Jermar Jefferson, Jason Cabinda (FB)
Detroit has revamped its backfield with Gibbs and Montgomery. Jefferson would add depth as the third back.
WIDE RECEIVER (5): Amon-Ra St. Brown, Josh Reynolds, Kalif Raymond, Marvin Jones Jr., Antoine Green
With Jameson Williams serving a six-game suspension for violating the league's gambling policy, the Lions will need others to step up. St. Brown is eyeing a big season after another strong camp.
TIGHT END (3): Brock Wright, Sam LaPorta, James Mitchell
LaPorta, a rookie, will likely be the Day 1 starter. He learned the playbook quickly this offseason and impressed in training camp.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Taylor Decker, Jonah Jackson, Frank Ragnow, Penei Sewell, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Matt Nelson, Graham Glasgow, Colby Sorsdal, Kayode Awosika
This is arguably the strongest unit on the roster with Pro Bowlers Ragnow and Sewell returning. Rookie Sorsdal has also grown throughout camp.
DEFENSIVE LINE (11): Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Isaiah Buggs, James Houston, John Cominsky, Brodric Martin, Levi Onwuzurike, Charles Harris, Romeo Okwara, Julian Okwara, Josh Paschal
The interior of the line will be key to the defense's success this season and McNeill will be a key contributor. Also, Hutchinson is locked in for Year 2 after a strong summer and is expected to be a foundational player for the franchise going forward.
LINEBACKER (6): Jack Campbell, Alex Anzalone, Malcolm Rodriguez, Derrick Barnes, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Anthony Pittman
The Lions allowed 5.22 yards per carry last season, which was the third worst in the NFL. They're hoping that Campbell, who was taken No. 18 overall in April's draft, can help change that.
CORNERBACK (6): Cameron Sutton, Starling Thomas V, Jerry Jacobs, Will Harris, Chase Lucas, Brian Branch
Emmanuel Moseley was considered a big offseason addition but remains on the physically unable to perform list. However, the rookie Branch has turned heads all preseason and training camp and is ready to make an impact right away.
SAFETY (4): C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Kerby Joseph, Tracy Walker III, Ifeatu Melifonwu
Gardner-Johnson hasn't stopped talking since he arrived in Detroit, and he's trying to help improve the Lions' secondary, which struggled significantly last season. Gardner-Johnson tied for the NFL lead with six interceptions last season as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.
SPECIALISTS (3): Riley Patterson, Jack Fox, Scott Daly
Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp challenged Daly to take a step forward and he delivered. Initially there was a long-snapper competition between Daly and former Pro Bowler Jake McQuaide, but Daily won the battle after showing improvement.