Lions' 53-Man Roster Prediction: Who Makes Final Cut?

Read more on which Detroit Lions players could make the 53-man roster following the completion of training camp

The Detroit Lions and the rest of the NFL's 32 franchises will be required to cut their rosters down to 53 players this Saturday. 

As always is the case, there will be players that put in good work during training camp that will be left off rosters.  

Here is who I believe will be on Detroit's 53-man roster heading into the team's Week 1 matchup vs. the Chicago Bears Sept. 13 at Ford Field. 

Quarterbacks

• Matthew Stafford, Chase Daniel, David Blough (3) 

Stafford and Daniel are surefire bets to make the 53-man roster. 

And Blough has proven enough throughout training camp, including his knowledge of offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell's playbook, to warrant getting a spot on the active roster as the third-string quarterback. 

Running backs

• Kerryon Johnson, D’Andre Swift, Ty Johnson, Jason Huntley, Jason Cabinda (FB) (5)

It was hard to leave Bo Scarbrough and Jonathan Williams off the roster. But, Scarbrough was injured for most of training camp, and Williams faded as training camp progressed.

Meanwhile, Huntley, Detroit's second of two fifth-round draft picks this past April, carries a bit more value due to his ability to be an impact performer as a returner on special teams. 

It was easy keeping Ty Johnson, as he was consistently the most productive player at the position throughout training camp while Kerryon Johnson and Swift struggled staying on the field. 

And the versatile Cabinda, who's also capable of playing linebacker, gets the job at fullback. 

Wide receivers

• Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr., Danny Amendola, Quintez Cephus, Marvin Hall, Jamal Agnew (6)

Golladay, Jones Jr. and Amendola are givens to make the team, as the top three wideouts on the Lions' depth. 

It gets a little tricky after that. 

However, Hall, Cephus and Agnew have all impressed in one way or another throughout training camp and enough so to warrant roster spots going into Week 1. 

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Tight ends 

• T.J. Hockenson, Jesse James, Isaac Nauta (3)

If undrafted free agent Hunter Bryant would have stayed healthy for the entirety of training camp, he would've had a legitimate chance to be Detroit's No. 3 tight end going into 2020. 

However, he failed to. And because of it, I went with Nauta for the third-string job.

Meanwhile, Hockenson and James were automatics for the top two spots in the Lions' tight end room. 

Offensive line

• Taylor Decker, Joe Dahl, Frank Ragnow, Jonah Jackson, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Tyrell Crosby, Kenny Wiggins, Logan Stenberg (8) 

Decker, Dahl, Ragnow, Jackson and Vaitai appear to be the starters along the offensive line entering the regular season. 

It leaves a few backup spots open, which Crosby, Wiggins and Stenberg seem to be the most deserving of. 

Stenberg has received his fair share of reps at center during training camp, and the versatility of Crosby and Wiggins allow them to play multiple positions on the offensive line.

Defensive line 

• Trey Flowers, Danny Shelton, Nick Williams, Romeo Okwara, Da’Shawn Hand, Kevin Strong, John Penisini (7)

The Lions tried to beef up their defensive line this offseason with the acquisitions of Shelton and Williams. 

Meanwhile, Flowers, Okwara, Hand and Strong all return from a season ago. 

And the rookie Penisini rounds out the Lions' defensive linemen group to start the season. 

Linebackers

• Jamie Collins, Jahlani Tavai, Jarrad Davis, Christian Jones, Julian Okwara, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Reggie Ragland (7)

This was a porous group for Matt Patricia & Co. a season ago. 

Detroit attempted to upgrade it this offseason via the acquisitions of Collins, Okwara (also a stand-up EDGE rusher) and Ragland.

All seven guys listed above appear to be guarantees to make the 53-man roster.   

The biggest question remaining is what linebacker spot each of them will line up at -- something that will become clearer as the season progresses and the Lions' group of linebackers grow into their respective roles. 

Cornerbacks

• Desmond Trufant, Jeff Okudah, Justin Coleman, Amani Oruwariye, Tony McRae, Darryl Roberts (6)

Trufant, Okudah, Coleman and Oruwariye will be counted upon mightily to help improve a Lions pass defense that couldn't stop anyone a year ago. And all four guys are capable of being impact performers. 

The only individual left off this list that realistically could have made the 53-man roster, in my opinion, is Mike Ford. 

However, the lower leg injury he suffered late in training camp all but derailed any momentum he had built to make the team.

Safeties

• Duron Harmon, Tracy Walker, Will Harris, C.J. Moore, Miles Killebrew (5)

• Suspension: Jayron Kearse (three games) 

The Lions added veterans Harmon and Kearse over the offseason to provide leadership to a relatively young safety group that is highlighted by Walker, a third-year pro, and Harris, a second-year player. 

However, Kearse has since been suspended for three games, which leaves open the possibility of more playing time for both Moore and Killebrew. 

On another note -- and has been highlighted here before at SI All Lions -- Walker could be on the verge of a career season.  

If it happens, this position group could definitely be in store for an improved year. 

Specialists

• Matt Prater, Jack Fox, Don Muhlbach (3)

Prater and Muhlbach are surefire bets to make the team's 53-man roster out of training camp at kicker and long snapper, respectively. 

Meanwhile, I have Fox beating out Arryn Siposs for the starting punter gig, which was left vacant after Sam Martin signed with the Denver Broncos in March.

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