Today is the day every general manager and head coach around the NFL hates. It's roster cut-down day, and Detroit has pared their roster down to an initial 53.
It's important to note this is an initial roster because more moves could be on the horizon throughout the week as players become available around the league.
"I mentioned the other day, tough time of year," Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Monday. "The appreciation we have for these guys that laid it on the line, gave everything they had. A number of these guys, the lost art of when your body doesn't feel good, you've got the bumps and bruises and the just – for those guys that can continue to just push, those guys – it means a lot, it really does.
"Because that's what this game is, it's still a physical game and you have to be able to put that stuff behind you and still produce. So, tough 48 hours coming up, but really appreciate these guys."
Detroit can begin building their 16-man practice squad starting Wednesday.
Here is my breakdown of the initial 53:
(Note: The Lions still have one spot remaining)
QUARTERBACK (2)
On the roster: Jared Goff, Hendon Hooker
Missing cut: Nate Sudfeld, Jake Fromm
Twentyman: The Lions opt to go with two quarterbacks on the initial 53 which allows them to squeeze out another roster spot somewhere else that could have more impact in the long run. Campbell wants to continue to see steady development from Hooker, and giving him the backup/scout team reps throughout the regular season is a way to ensure that. I wouldn't be surprised if Sudfeld or Fromm is brought back on the practice squad.
RUNNING BACK (4)
On the roster: David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki
Missing cut: Jermar Jefferson, Zonovan Knight, Jake Funk
Twentyman: It's one of the best running back rooms in football with depth and versatility. We know Vaki is going to be a core special teamer from Day 1, but can he work his way into a role on offense, potentially on third down, sooner rather than later? Montgomery and Gibbs were close to each running for 1,000 yards last year and hitting those marks is a goal for both this season.
WIDE RECEIVER (4)
On the roster: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Kalif Raymond, Isaiah Williams
Missing cut: Donovan Peoples-Jones, Daurice Fountain, Kaden Davis, Maurice Alexander, Tom Kennedy, Jalon Calhoun
Twentyman: I'm guessing there was a lot of discussion regarding the final spot here and it certainly doesn't seem like the Lions are done adding to the roster at receiver with just four players at the position after the first wave of cuts. I expect Holmes to scour the waiver wire and still add via roster cuts from around the league. In the end, Fountain and Peoples-Jones just didn't make plays consistently enough to earn a spot. Isaiah Williams earned his inclusion as a playmaker throughout camp and the preseason.
TIGHT END (3)
On the roster: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Parker Hesse
Missing cut: James Mitchell, Shane Zylstra, Sean McKeon
Twentyman: This was the most experienced and talented group of tight ends the Lions have had in camp in my tenure with the team. It's a really good one-two punch between LaPorta and Wright. Hesse's versatility likely got him the nod over Mitchell. Hesse can play some fullback and is a plus blocker as a tight end. One or two of the players not making the cut could be asked back to the practice squad.
OFFENSIVE LINE (10)
On the roster: Penei Sewell, Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Graham Glasgow, Kevin Zeitler, Dan Skipper, Colby Sorsdal, Giovanni Manu, Kayode Awosika, Michael Niese
Missing cut: Kingsley Eguakun, Bryan Hudson, Jake Burton, Jamarco Jones, Duke Clemens
Reserve/Non-football illness list: Christian Mahogany.
Twentyman: We all know who the top five are. Skipper, Awosika and Sorsdal were key depth players last season that the coaching staff trust. Niese had a good camp and adds even more depth at a position the Lions view as vital to their success in 2024. Manu still has a lot of developing to do but the Lions are vested in his future and development after taking him in the fourth round of this year's NFL Draft.
DEFENSIVE LINE (9)
On the roster: Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, DJ Reader, Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike, Josh Paschal, Mekhi Wingo, John Cominsky, James Houston
Missing cut: Isaac Ukwu, Kyle Peko, Mathieu Betts, Chris Smith, Pat O'Connor
Reserve/Injured: Brodric Martin
Waived/Injured: David Bada
Twentyman: That last spot on the edge was probably a tough decision. In the end, the Lions couldn't ignore the raw talent Houston has as a pure pass rusher. He was never a doubt for me. He's not a really versatile player, but there are worse things to be really good at than rushing the quarterback and the Lions couldn't deny that. An IR designation to return could still be in the works for Cominsky as he rehabs a knee injury. I'm guessing there will be a number of these players who didn't make the cut who will be asked back to the practice squad. The initial numbers are a little light but overall it's a talented and deep defensive line group.
LINEBACKERS (6)
On the roster: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Ben Niemann
Missing cut: Mitchell Agude, Abraham Beauplan, Joel Iyiegbuniwe, Ty Summers
Twentyman: Nothing really surprising here. This has been the position group with the most stability all offseason and into camp. Look for breakout seasons from Campbell and Barnes, who has really settled into the starting SAM role. Niemann is a terrific special teamer. This group is the heartbeat of the Lions' defense.
DEFENSIVE BACK (11)
On the roster: Carlton Davis III, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Kindle Vildor, Khalil Dorsey, Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Brandon Joseph, Loren Strickland
Reserve/Injured: CB Emmanuel Moseley
Missing cut: C.J. Moore, Steven Gilmore, Essang Bassey, Javelin Guidry, Chelen Garnes, Rachad Wildgoose
Twentyman: The Lions went a little heavy here with all the new faces in the room and some of the scheme changes set for the back end of Aaron Glenn's defense. Detroit completely revamped their cornerback room this offseason including the move of Branch from nickel cornerback to safety. This group is much more talented than last year's unit coming out of camp and it's much deeper too. Strickland, an undrafted rookie safety, made the cut as the Lions kept five safeties on the roster with Melifonwu dealing with an injury that doesn't have a defined timeline as of yet. This has the chance to be the most improved position group on the entire roster.
SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
On the roster: Jake Bates (K), Jack Fox (P), Hogan Hatten (LS)
Missing cut: Scott Daly (LS)
Twentyman: It was a little bit of a shaky start to camp for Bates, but he settled into the kicking role nicely by the end of camp and was good in the preseason games. His big leg gives Campbell more options around the middle of the football field. Fox is one of the best punters in the league. The Lions opted for the more versatile Hatten at long snapper. He can play some linebacker in a pinch and offers more as a cover man in punt coverage.
