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The 33 new Detroit Lions training camp who were not with the team at any point in the 2022 season
The Detroit Lions have an impressive young core of talent as a base coming off the 9-8 finish in 2022. GM Brad Holmes and his staff have added many more pieces to the Lions puzzle.
Here are all the new names and players in Detroit Lions training camp who were not with the team at any point in the 2022 season.
The Detroit Lions 90-man roster by jersey number for the preseason opener vs. the Falcons
The first look at the 2022 Detroit Lions in action comes Friday night at Ford Field in the preseason opener against the visiting Atlanta Falcons. It’s a chance to check out the team in the second season of the Dan Campbell coaching era.
Even through the first few weeks of training camp, the Lions have seen quite a few players come and go. To help identify who you’re watching in the game on Friday night, or just for some personal reference, here are the players currently on the 90-man roster for the exhibition opener. Note that not all players will play and several remain on either the PUP or NFI lists.
The Detroit Lions current 90-man roster by jersey number
The second year of the Brad Holmes/Dan Campbell version of the Lions is dawning in Detroit. As is the case with all NFL teams, there is considerable turnover from the first year. It can be difficult to keep track of who is still around, who has moved on and what jersey number those who are back are sporting for 2022.
Several Lions players have changed their jersey numbers from 2021. And some have yet to make any on-field appearances as Lions after being signed in free agency.
As of May 22nd, here is the updated Detroit Lions 90-man roster by jersey number.
The Lions will need to make some cuts in order to sign any more free agents to the full 90-man roster
The Detroit Lions will host their rookie minicamp next weekend, from May 14 through 16. If the team finds some tryout players or camp invites they like, they’re going to need some room on the roster to sign them.
Detroit had 78 players under contract entering last weekend’s draft. The Lions then made eight picks in the 2022 NFL draft, pushing the committed roster spots to 86 of the 90-man limit. Shortly after the draft, the Lions inked four undrafted rookies to contracts worth at least $100,000.
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That’s the 90-man roster. For now…
One of the focuses of the early offseason from GM Brad Holmes and his front office was bringing back a flurry of returning players. Some are safely on the roster. Guys like S Tracy Walker, QB Tim Boyle, WR Josh Reynolds, LB Alex Anzalone, reserve offensive lineman Evan Brown and EDGE Charles Harris aren’t going anywhere. But several other players brought back from 2021 could be ex-Lions sooner than later.
Prominent amongst that group are the exclusive rights free agents and players earning the league minimum who haven’t established themselves on the depth chart. Those players are in real danger of being pushed off the team in favor of undrafted rookies or young players looking to make a name in the upcoming rookie minicamp and offseason activities.
Some of those players saw the Lions draft players who slot in above them on the depth chart. Adding Aidan Hutchinson in the first round and Zach Paschal in the second makes it tough for depth defensive linemen like Jessie Lemonier and Rashod Berry to stick around.
The most likely cuts come at linebacker. There are 10 off-ball linebackers on the team after drafting Malcolm Rodriguez and James Houston (who might also play EDGE). For a team that will have just one or two on the field most of the time, that’s untenable roster clutter.
The LBs on the spot: Jarrad Davis, Anthony Pittman, Tavante Beckett and Josh Woods. And it might not be an undrafted or tryout LB to push them off. The team is much thinner on the offensive line and in the secondary.
Another place where the Lions have more players than they could ever use is at kicker. There are three — Riley Patterson, Austin Seibert and Aldrick Rosas. It’s hard to see the team carry more than two of those into the mandatory minicamp in June.
The NFL owners have officially approved three roster cutdowns from 90 players this summer to 53 ahead of the start of the regular season.
The NFL owners have officially approved a 90-man roster to begin training camps this summer up from the 80 players teams elected to start with in light of the coronavirus pandemic last year.
But even more interesting, however, is the approval for three separate roster cutdowns ahead of the start of the regular season.
The three cutdown dates will be as follows, per Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network:
All three cutdown dates will take place on Tuesdays following each of the three preseason games. Because of the new structure, the paring down to just 53 players will take place four days earlier than usual.
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ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that NFL rosters will likely be under 90-players when training camps open at the end of this month.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that “in an effort to combat COVID-19”, NFL teams are likely to carry less than the minimum 90-players when training camps open at the end of this month.
Shefter noted that “one source is predicting 80 per team, another 75, but no one is expecting 90” — the NFL and NFLPA are still debating the matter.
Even though the preseason has already been reduced to two games, the supplemental draft canceled, and plans to limit fan attendance by tarping off seating already in place, there is still a litany of decisions that need to be made. Other topics on the table this week are expanded practice squads, splitting roster during camp to limit the number of people in facilities, and if training camp will start on time.
Currently, the Detroit Lions, and the rest of the NFL, are scheduled to open training camp at the end of the month on July 28th, and if that date holds, they would have to make decisions to let 10-15 players go from their current roster over the next three and a half weeks.
Due to the current executive order signed by Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, fans are not currently allowed to attend training camp practices but the media will have access, so make sure you stay up to date with all the Lions coverage here at Lions Wire.
Here is an updated look at the Detroit Lions 90-man comprehensive depth chart following the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Detroit Lions currently have 90-players on their active roster and with (a modified) Spring camp underway, it’s a great time to do a roster check and see where things stand after the 2020 NFL Draft.
Note: you will see some players listed more than once as they have multiple roles and starters will be listed in bold.
The Detroit Lions announced they have agreed to terms with seven undrafted free agents, bringing their roster to the maximum 90-players.
The Detroit Lions announced they have agreed to terms with seven undrafted free agents, and after releasing four players on Monday, the team’s roster sits at the maximum 90-players.
For a more detailed breakdown of all seven new Lions, be sure to check out our 2020 Lions UDFA tracker, and below is a shorter overview of the class with some fun details from the Lions.
Hunter is a move tight end who will complement the Lions tight end room. He was Pro Football Focus’ No. 1 tight end prospect in this class, the Athletic’s Dane Brugler sixth-best, and has a legitimate shot at securing the TE 3 or 4 role on the Lions roster.
The @Lions have agreed to terms with @UW_Football TE @blackbeast88.
Bryant was a First-Team All-Pac-12 selection in 2019 and 1-of-3 finalists for the Mackey Award, given to the NCAA's top tight end. pic.twitter.com/i8NODaRaAu
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) April 28, 2020
An Australian punter who can do some amazing things with a football. After the release of Matt Wile, it appears, Siposs will compete with Jack Fox for punting duties this offseason.
The @Lions have agreed to terms with @AuburnFootball P @Sippa02.
Born in Australia, Siposs played Aussie Rules Football and had a stint with the @AFL's @stkildafc before joining the @AuburnTigers in 2018. pic.twitter.com/KbRJCHETUQ
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) April 28, 2020
Elliot’s ball skills point to him potentially being a single-high safety in the Lions scheme, and if he can show more range, he will have a chance to challenge C.J. Moore for the fifth safety role.
The @Lions have agreed to terms with @NDFootball S @Jae_Uno_.
Elliott was a 2019 team captain and finished his career with 39-straight starts.
He and Lions DE @julian_okwara were both part of @NotreDame's 2016 recruiting class and team captains in 2019. pic.twitter.com/D53VHvG1pX
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) April 28, 2020
Dinson is a slot corner/safety tweener whose coverage and tackling skills could earn him a spot on the backend of the roster. He will likely compete with Will Harris and Jayron Kearse in the slot.
The @Lions have agreed to terms with @AuburnFootball S @New_EraJD3.
A 2019 team captain, Dinson led the @AuburnTigers with 88 tackles in 2019. pic.twitter.com/kKzfOsRLgH
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) April 28, 2020
From the highlights I was able to obtain and watch, Price has a very similar body type and play style to Tracy Walker and could be a developmental project at the JOKER safety position.
The @Lions have agreed to terms with @NSUSpartans S Bobby Price.
In addition to football, Price participated in the team's track & field program.
In 2019, he won the @MEACSports long jump title with a jump of 25 feet, 10.25 inches, qualifying him to the NCAAs. pic.twitter.com/hGMY8ueNcq
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) April 28, 2020
A pure fullback option who can contribute on special teams, he was rarely used on offense for more than blocking purposes. He will push Nick Bawden for a role on the roster.
The @Lions have agreed to terms with @GoJacksFB FB @LSELLERS36.
Sellers served as a team captain in 2019 and earned Second-Team All-Missouri Valley Conference. pic.twitter.com/c2Sgxjjezp
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) April 28, 2020
Wirtel was the long snapper for the Matt Patricia North squad at the Senior Bowl and was almost universally regarded as the second-best long snapper in this draft class — the first, Blake Ferguson, was drafted in the sixth round by the Miami Dolphins.
The @Lions have agreed to terms with @CycloneFB LS @StevenWirtel.
Wirtel was a two-time First-Team Academic All-Big 12 selection.
His brother, John, was also a long snapper at Kansas and signed with the Chicago Bears following the 2019 @NFL Draft. pic.twitter.com/2xXsBXIwGj
— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) April 28, 2020
With 81 players under contract — or agreed to terms with — and nine draft picks in their possession, the Detroit Lions roster is potentially maxed out. Meaning if they want to sign any undrafted free agents after the draft, they will have to start cutting players off of their active roster to make room.
Whether it’s a roster adjustment during these uncertain times or part of a pre-planned offseason strategy, the Detroit Lions are just over a week away from the NFL draft and their 90-man roster appears to be maxed out.
With 81 players having contracts in place and nine draft picks in their possession, the Lions don’t have any room to add any undrafted free agents. Meaning if they want to sign any UDFAs after the draft, they will have to start cutting players off of their active roster to make room.
Typically, general manager Bob Quinn has entered the draft with double-digit open spots on the 90-man roster — he had 12 open roster spots in 2016, 14 in 2017, 14 in 2018, and 11 in 2019 — but this year he has zero.
This doesn’t mean the Lions won’t pursue any UDFA’s, they always do as part of their team-building strategy, but it could mean they will be more selective in the offers they make.
Quinn does have some room on the roster to maneuver if he needs to clear space. Here’s a look at the number of players the Lions currently have at each position:
| Quarterback | 3 |
| Running back | 6 |
| Wide receiver | 11 |
| Tight end | 5 |
| Offensive tackle | 5 |
| Interior offensive line | 9 |
| Interior defensive line | 7 |
| EDGE rusher | 4 |
| Off-the-ball Linebacker | 12 |
| Corner | 9 |
| Safety | 5 |
| Kicker | 1 |
| Punter | 2 |
| Long Snapper | 2 |
Off-the-ball linebacker, punter, and long snapper stand out as overloaded positions that could be altered, and for every player drafted, that position group could also see adjustments.
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The Lions will surely bring in UDFAs, but will it still be the double-digit amount we have seen under Quinn in the past? We will find out in 10 days.
