As we head into the last week of the preseason, the Aug. 27 deadline to trim the roster to an initial 53 players is fast approaching. There are just a couple more opportunities in practice and in Saturday's preseason finale at Ford Field to impress. There are a number of position battles that will be tough to decide, and that's a good thing for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. It means the roster is talented and deep.
Here's a look at five position battles in particular that could come down to the wire:
1. EDGE RUSHER
Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport and Josh Paschal seem safe, though I thought it was interesting Paschal played late into Saturday's preseason matchup with the Chiefs.
James Houston's move exclusively to defensive end limits his usage a little bit, but there are worse things in this game to be really good at than rushing the passer.
After Houston, there's a bunch of players who have made their fair share of plays in camp and the preseason including Isaac Ukwu, Mitchell Agude and Mathieu Betts. The versatility to play both end and SAM linebacker might ultimately decide this competition. The SAM linebacker is a really important role in Aaron Glenn's defense. Who fits best after Derrick Barnes?
View photos from the Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs Preseason Week 2 game at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, August 17 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Head Coach Dan Campbell during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (80) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Aidan Hutchinson (97) and Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) and Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13), Detroit Lions safety C.J. Moore (38), Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Aaron Glenn during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (13) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson (21) and Detroit Lions linebacker Ben Niemann (51) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65), Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8), and Detroit Lions guard Kayode Awosika (74) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end James Mitchell (82) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Ifeatu Melifonwu (6) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Khalil Dorsey (30) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) and Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Sione Vaki (33) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8), Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75), and Detroit Lions center Kingsley Eguakun (65) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Nate Sudfeld (8) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) and Detroit Lions linebacker Ty Summers (25) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kaden Davis (88) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jake Funk (36) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ty Summers (25) and Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Mekhi Wingo (94) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Daurice Fountain (12) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Maurice Alexander (1) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions guard Jake Burton (67), Detroit Lions center Bryan Hudson (64), and Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Zonovan Knight (27) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy (85) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mathieu Betts (95) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions safety Loren Strickland (48) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Mitchell Agude (50) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions running back Jake Funk (36) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Ty Summers (25) and Detroit Lions linebacker Abraham Beauplan (59) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive lineman Josh Paschal (93) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (34) and Detroit Lions linebacker Abraham Beauplan (59) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Sean McKeon (86), Detroit Lions wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith (10), Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2), and Detroit Lions wide receiver Jalon Calhoun (80) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Essang Bassey (17) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaiah Williams (83) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) and Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates (43) and Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
Detroit Lions tight end Sean McKeon (86), Detroit Lions punter Jack Fox (3), Detroit Lions offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal (75), and Detroit Lions guard Jake Burton (67) during an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Aug. 17, 2024 in Kansas City, MO. (Jeff Nguyen/Detroit Lions via AP)
2. TIGHT END 3
It's unclear if the Lions plan on keeping three or four tight ends, but for reference they had three on the roster for their Week 1 game in Kansas City last season.
We know Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright are in, but it feels like everyone else is still fighting for a spot.
Parker Hesse has expanded his duties to fullback and that could give him a leg up. He plays a physical brand of football head coach Dan Campbell likes from the position.
Hesse, James Mitchell and Shane Zylstra could be battling for one or two spots, and this will be a big week for all three.
3. BACKUP QB
What will Campbell and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson opt to do here? Will they go with the veteran Nate Sudfeld, who was Jared Goff's backup in 2022? Or will they choose second-year signal caller Hendon Hooker, who is a little more raw, but has a ton of upside.
Both Sudfeld and Hooker made plays in Saturday's preseason contest. The two have rotated second-team offense reps throughout camp, but Sudfeld has started both preseason contests so far. Is Hooker ready for the job Week 1? Will the Lions opt for the trusted veteran? The answer to those questions might be the answer to whether the Lions keep two or three quarterbacks on the initial 53.
4. WIDE RECEIVER 4
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond are the top three receivers heading into the season, but who is No. 4? That's really a great question. Ask four different people and they might have four different answers. The leading candidates are Daurice Fountain, Donovan Peoples-Jones, Isaiah Williams and Kaden Davis.
Isaiah Williams has stood out in the preseason, but his size (5-10, 186) could be a factor. He's made his plays from the slot, but that's where St. Brown works. Can Williams play the Z? The Lions intend to find out this week and that could decide a lot.
Fountain and Peoples-Jones haven't done much in the preseason but have shown flashes in practice and have the experience and size (both 6-foot-2) the Lions would prefer at this spot. Davis is an interesting one to me. He just comes to work and makes plays, including the 61-yard touchdown in Kansas City. He's also got some size (6-1).
Also consider this: Over 1,000 players are going to become available from 31 other teams that have to make the same tough decisions the Lions do getting from 90 players to 53. What if there's an experienced receiver with some size the Lions liked in the draft process or in their pro scouting department? That's always an option too, and not just at this spot.
5. LONG SNAPPER
The Lions trust the incumbent Scott Daly and that's the best thing any coaching staff can say about a player at this position.
Hogan Hatten provides a versatile skillset that makes him a little bit more of a weapon on the punt coverage team. We've even seen him play some emergency linebacker. Can he get to a point snapping the ball where they trust him as much as Daly? That's really what will decide this competition.
"That's a real competition," Campbell said last week. "Daly has been able to snap consistently and under pressure, big games, different looks, handling the protection and the snap. So, that's the next step for (Hatten). He has to be able to prove that he can do that with a rush on him. Some of these hard situations are what we have to try to put him in. It is a real competition right now."
