Detroit Lions: For some, roster bubble is about to pop
By Ash Thompson
Offensive Tackle
With Taylor Decker on the physically unable to perform list, the Lions tackles who are definitely on the roster are Greg Robinson, Rick Wagner, and Cornelius Lucas. Robinson was brought in specifically to cover for the missing Decker. With Cyrus Kouandjio having been cut earlier this week it is clear that Robinson will fill that role. Wagner was a highly sought after free agent, and will start at right tackle. Lucas has been the only other Lions tackle that looked like they belonged in the league.
On the Detroit Lions roster bubble at offensive tackle is Storm Norton. Norton has not looked particularly good or bad in the preseason. He has been primarily working with the third team offense, with occasional jaunts up the depth chart due to injuries. Norton is not facing any competition on the Lions roster, but in stead facing the hundred or so offensive tackles that the Lions will have an opportunity to pick up before the season starts.
Corey Robinson is on the PUP list in addition to Decker. With a good performance against better competition tonight, Norton could convince the team he is good enough to last until at least Robinson and Decker return.
Guard
The Lions will keep Graham Glasgow and T. J. Lang on the roster. Glasgow will be the team’s starting left guard until Decker returns, when Robinson may or may not take that job. Much will be determined by how well Glasgow performs. Lang was brought in to fill the void left by Larry Warford, who left in free agency. There have been minor health concerns, but if Lang is on the field, he will give the team Pro Bowl-caliber play.
On the Detroit Lions roster bubble at guard is Joe Dahl. Dahl made the team largely on potential last season. He played less poorly than expected when pressed in to game action in 2016. The 2017 preseason has been a nightmare for Dahl. He has spent time at tackle, guard and center with the team hoping to make him a jack of all trades backup. On the field, that has been a catastrophe, with Dahl looking confused and playing badly.
Following the trade of Laken Tomlinson, the only way I could see Dahl not making the team is if a relatively young player who has already shown that he can do what the team wants Dahl to do becomes available. Those players do not usually get cut though.
Center
Travis Swanson will make the team. He is the team’s incumbant starter, and there was a massive dropoff in the line’s performance without him for the last few games of 2016. Much of the analysis of the 2016 late season fade misses the absence of Swanson entirely. I would say that in his loss in was nearly as important as Matthew Stafford’s injured finger.
On the Detroit Lions roster bubble at center is Leo Koloamatangi. The Lions have been using Joe Dahl at center, and their other in-house option is this undrafted free agent. Koloamatangi has outplayed Dahl in all situations, and if the Lions do keep a dedicated center backup it should be him. With Graham Glasgow on the roster, and the likely first option to replace Swanson in the event of an injury, Koloamatangi is more likely to find the practice squad than the 53 man roster. A great performance could change that.