Detroit Lions' Updated 53-Man Roster Projection

After four days of training camp, here is our updated Lions 2023 roster projection.

The Detroit Lions have wrapped up the first four days of training camp, successfully completing the acclimation period. 

Next up, the team will don pads for the first time this Friday, exciting the coaching staff and many members of the roster.

"I think every training camp, you go in optimistic about the direction of the unit you’re working with," said Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson before practice Wednesday. "It doesn’t matter if you’re quality control, position coach, coordinator. I think you’re always excited about where it could head and this is no different. But, just like Coach (Dan Campbell) and the players have been saying, it’s all about putting in the work right now. That’s really what it comes down to. We’ll peak up once the season starts and see where we’re at. But, right now, we’ve got a long way to go to get (to) where we’re capable of going.”

Here's the latest prediction of what the team's 53-man roster could look like when the 2023 season begins.

Quarterbacks (2)

• Jared Goff
• Nate Sudfeld
• Hendon Hooker (PUP)

Sudfeld will be the team's backup quarterback, unless the front office can come to terms with Teddy Bridgewater, who visited Allen Park earlier this week. 

Running backs (4)

• David Montgomery
• Jahmyr Gibbs
• Justin Jackson
• Jason Cabinda (FB)

Wide receivers (6)

• Amon-Ra St. Brown
• Marvin Jones Jr.
• Josh Reynolds
• Kalif Raymond
• Antoine Green
• Denzel Mims
• Jameson Williams (Suspended)

The addition of Denzel Mims, a former second-round draft pick, makes the Lions' offense a little more explosive. 

Rookie Antoine Green has started to earn more trust from the coaching staff through the first four days of training camp. 

"Green has earned that right to get a couple reps," said Johnson. "And so, he’s starting to develop a little bit of trust, he’s playing faster than what he was in the springtime and that’s his biggest challenge right now. He’s a 4.4 guy. He needs to play 4.4 every single snap. When he does that, he shows an ability to get open.”

Tight ends (3)

• Sam LaPorta
• Brock Wright
• James Mitchell

Offensive line (9)

• Frank Ragnow
• Halapoulivaati Vaitai
• Jonah Jackson
• Taylor Decker
• Penei Sewell
• Graham Glasgow
• Colby Sorsdal
• Germain Ifedi
• Matt Nelson

One change from the spring is Detroit carrying one extra offensive lineman and one less tight end. Matt Nelson and Germaine Ifedi must continue to impress during training camp to maintain their respective spots on the 53-man roster.

Defensive line (4)

• Alim McNeill
• Isaiah Buggs
• Levi Onwuzurike
• Brodric Martin

EDGE (7)

• Aidan Hutchinson
• James Houston
• Charles Harris
• Romeo Okwara
• Josh Paschal
• John Cominsky
• Julian Okwara

Linebacker (5)

• Alex Anzalone
• Jack Campbell
• Derrick Barnes
• Malcolm Rodriguez
• Jalen Reeves-Maybin

Cornerback (5)

• Cameron Sutton
• Jerry Jacobs
• Will Harris
• Emmanuel Moseley
• Starling Thomas V

Thomas will be battling with Chase Lucas for a spot on the 53-man roster. So far, the undrafted rookie free agent has made a case to make the team coming out of training camp. 

Safety (5)

• C.J. Gardner-Johnson
• Tracy Walker III
• Kerby Joseph
• Brian Branch
• Ifeatu Melifonwu

If Melifonwu does not end up making the roster, it will be because Saivion Smith takes his spot. Both are talented young players capable of playing a reserve role in Aaron Glenn's defense. 

Specialists (3)

• Riley Patterson (K)
• Jack Fox (P)
• Jake McQuaide (LS)