Establishing the 53: Roster Stack, summer edition

Examining the Detroit Lions roster, by stacking the players into levels based on value to the team.

By using a Roster Stack — predicting roles by grouping players by their expected value to the team — to examine the Detroit Lions roster we can get a look at the current front-runners for the 53-man roster as well as how things may change with different approaches to roster construction.

This version of the Lions Roster Stack will break down the roster into seven sections: 1) Impact players, 2) Core players, 3) Projected starters, 4) Role players, 5) Final 12 spots, 6) In the hunt, and 7) Have work to do.

Impact players

These are the players who if removed from the roster, would greatly impact the team’s overall performance.

QB1 Matthew Stafford
WR-Z Kenny Golladay
LT Taylor Decker
C Frank Ragnow
DDE Trey Flowers
CB1A Jeff Okudah
JOKER Tracy Walker

We all saw what happened when Stafford was removed from the Lions in 2019, and while the impact won’t likely be as great if one of the other players in this section goes down, losing any of these players would be a major set back for the team’s 2020 hopes.

Core Players

These players make up the foundation of the team and have a significant weekly role on the roster.

RB1A Kerryon Johnson
RB1B D’Andre Swift
WR-X Marvin Jones
Slot1 Danny Amendola
TE1 T.J. Hockenson
RT Halapoulivaati Vaitai
DT1A Da’Shawn Hand
NT1 Danny Shelton
JACK1 Julian Okwara
WILL1 Jamie Collins
MIKE1 Jahlani Tavai
CB1B Desmond Trufant
NB1 Justin Coleman
S-H1 Duron Harmon
K Matt Prater
LS Don Muhlbach

While Johnson and Swift are expected to platoon starting duties, the only other player on this list that is not a true starter is third-round pick Julian Okwara — even though he appears to be the top true JACK option on the roster.

Projected starters

The players in this section will either win a starting role or find a home as a reserve/role player and likely have an inside shot at the Lions 53-man roster.

OG Joe Dahl
OG Jonah Jackson
DT1B Nick Williams
MIKE2 Jarrad Davis
3rd S Will Harris

Dahl and Davis are returning starters but after additions made to the roster this offseason, it’s fair to wonder if their starting spots are in question. Jackson was the most significant interior offensive line addition this offseason and he appears to have an inside track for a starting role. Last year, Harris was groomed to take over the third safety role but should receive competition from Jayron Kearse for the role. There’s an argument to be made that Williams deserves to up a section, but until we see his role in camp, it’s difficult to project him as anything but a rotational starter with Hand.

Role players

These players should feel comfortable with their role on the team based on their skill sets and the current level of competition from the other players at their position group.

QB2 Chase Daniel
RB3 Bo Scarbrough
WR4 Marvin Hall
WR5 Quintez Cephus
TE2 Jesse James
OT3 Tyrell Crosby
OG3 Logan Stenberg
DDE2 Romeo Okwara
JACK2 Austin Bryant
WILL2 Christian Jones
CB3 Amani Oruwariye
S4 Jayron Kearse

Some role players are safer than others but the majority of players listed here have received an investment — either financially or draft stock — from the team. It’s worth noting that Scarbrough, Hall, Okwara, and Kearse are all in the final year of their contract with the Lions.

Final 13 spots

Based on my predicted current roster structure there should be 13 remaining spots on the Lions 53-man roster. The players in this section are the current leaders for those final spots but will be challenged by the players in the next two sections as things are far from settled.

RB4 Ty Johnson
RB/KR Jason Huntley
WR/RET/NB Jamal Agnew
TE/H-B Isaac Nauta
IOL/RT Kenny Wiggins
IOL6 Beau Benzschawel
NT2 John Penisini
DT3 Kevin Strong
LB/Sp.T Jalen Reeves-Maybin
CB/Gunner Mike Ford
NB/Gunner Tony McRae
FS/Gunner C.J. Moore
P Jack Fox

In my  “Establishing the 53” articles I explained in more detail why I selected each of the players listed above. Those articles are in the “explanation” link after each player for easier access to those pieces:

In the Hunt

The players in this group will need some help in order to find their way onto the 53-man roster. They could either benefit from the Lions constructing the roster differently or they could beat one player ahead of them to move up a section.

QB3 David Blough
FB Nick Bawden
WR5 Geronimo Allison
WR5 Chris Lacy
WR5 Travis Fulgham
TE4 Hunter Bryant
IOL Oday Aboushi
RT Dan Skipper
NT2 John Atkins
DT3 Jashon Cornell
LB5 Reggie Ragland
LB/Sp.T Miles Killebrew
LB/Sp.T Elijah Lee
CB/Gunner Darryl Roberts
CB/Gunner Dee Virgin
P Aaryn Siposs

The “Establishing the 53” series of articles listed in the above section explain in more detail why these players are still in the hunt for a roster spot.

Have work to do

These players found a spot on the 90-man roster due to their previous accomplishments but based on the other additions to the roster, they will have some work to do in the preseason if they hope to beat the odds and make the 53-man team.

RB Wes Hills
FB Luke Sellers
WR Geremy Davis
Slot Tom Kennedy
Slot Victor Bolden
TE Matt Sokol
RG Joshua Garnett
IOL Russell Bodine
OG Caleb Benenoch
OT Matt Nelson
DL Frank Herron
DE Olive Sagapolu
DE Jonathan Wynn
LB Jason Cabinda
LB Anthony Pittman
LB Christian Sam
CB Michael Jackson
S Jalen Elliott
S Jeremiah Dinson
S Bobby Price
LS Steve Wirtel

There are always players who surprise when they get to camp and while the players in this section have a lot of work to do, they can’t be ruled out at this time.

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