The DLP Staff Predicts The 53 Man Roster For The 2017 Season For The Detroit Lions.
Ash Thompson – @a5hcrack
The important thing to remember is that the initial 53 man roster is not the same thing as the week one roster. Both Armonty Bryant and Khyri Thornton are serving suspensions to start the year and will be replaced immediately after being listed as part of the 53 man roster.
Pat O’Connor has not fared well in the preseason and will likely be stashed on the practice squad in the wave of 1200 players being cut. Brad Kaaya played as you would expect a sixth round pick to play and will find a practice squad role. Storm Norton, Jared Abredaris, Tion Green, Josh Thornton, Connor Bozick, and Derrick Lott are the players I think will find their way to the practice squad. They have done enough, but not enough to be poached. I think Alex Carter, Rolan Milligan, and Steve Longa will find rosters
Brad Kaaya played as you would expect a sixth round pick to play and will find a practice squad role. Storm Norton, Jared Abredaris, Tion Green, Josh Thornton, Connor Bozick, and Derrick Lott are the players I think will find their way to the practice squad. They have done enough, but not enough to be poached. I think Alex Carter, Rolan Milligan, and Steve Longa will find rosters
I think Alex Carter, Rolan Milligan, and Steve Longa will wind up on a roster with other teams. Bob Quinn has shown that he is willing to leave the team a bit thin at spots. At offensive and defensive tackle, guard, and defensive end precious few players have shown they deserved a spot. I would expect Quinn to be actively looking for depth along both lines Saturday evening.
Brandon Knapp – @BKnappBlogs
Coming into the preseason, I believed that Brad Kaaya would be a lock for the number three quarterback spot, but with his performance, he needs a year on the practice squad to get better, and if someone tries to swipe him, I would still protect him like the team did with Rudock in 2016, and call him to the 53 man roster. With Matt Asiata getting cut Friday afternoon, that locked in Dwayne Washington for me. Also, one good performance out of four games isn’t good enough for me, sorry Tion Green, but he will be on the practice squad.
Once Taylor Decker and Corey Robinson return, then I see Cornelius Lucas get cut as well as he shouldn’t be here, but injuries to that to a team. Caushund Lyons had an impressive preseason game against Buffalo, and while I said one game out of four doesn’t impress me, Detroit needs bodies up front on the line at the defensive tackle position, and Lyons can fill the role until Thornton returns from suspension.
Seven cornerbacks? Yea, it was tough cutting many, and with how my roster played out it is possible. Agnew would be a more strict returner anyways, so that leaves six guys to play cornerback, a typical amount for some teams in the NFL.
Zachary Warber – @DetLionsScout
The first thing that jumped out at me is that the Lions are as shallow at the interior offensive line as they are deep at cornerback. The latter of which is a pleasant surprise considering how shallow that position has been in recent years.
I know some may dislike the Green nod over Washington. I understand it is the less likely option. But Green has been my dark horse this whole pre-season and I will continue to pick him, especially with news that Asiata has been cut. I think Green showed he has more to offer in the third and short and fourth and short situations that plagued Detroit in ’16, with Washington on the roster. I prefer Green’s consistency to Washington’s “boom or bust” play so far for now and for the long term.
Lucas Walker – @lucasjwalker00
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