Detroit Lions: For some, roster bubble is about to pop
By Ash Thompson
Defensive End
Ezekiel Ansah, Cornelius Washington and Anthony Zettel are locks to make the 53 man roster. Ansah is the team’s best pass rusher, and without him they will have a great deal of difficulty getting to quarterbacks. Washington has played well against the Colts, and poorly against the Patriots, but the entire defense was ill prepared for the Patriots opening salvos. Zettell has shown versatility, but not high level performance. He would be the starter at either end position in the event of an injury.
On the Detroit Lions roster bubble are Pat O’Connor, Alex Barrett, and Jeremiah Valoaga, Armonty Bryant, and Caushaud Lyons. All three rookies flashed ability against early weak competition. They have played well against the players in front of them which is all that could be asked. A high level performance tonight would virtually lock in any of the three.
Armonty Bryant played extremely well for the Lions but has yet another suspension looming. a player that is never available is worthless, but the Lions can stash Bryant for four games by keeping him on the initial roster, and pick up a replacement player from the waiver wire. Caushaud Lyons will see his first game action for the Lions tonight. Lyons is an ultra athlete who has been miscast in bad scheme fits and struggled to make rosters. The Lions will look for any glimmer of hope that he can reach his potential. He is a strong candidate to be cut in favor of a suspended player before being re-signed shortly thereafter.
Defensive Tackle
Haloti Ngata, A’Shawn Robinson, and Akeem Spence will be the Detroit Lions primary defensive tackle rotation in 2017. Ngata will likely be used in run heavy scenarios, and Spence in passing situations. Robinson would be a good preseason candidate to lead the defensive line in snaps. In his second season he has shown pass rush ability that was unexpected, and maintained his almost supernatural level of situational awareness of a quarterback’s intended passing lane.
On the Detroit Lions roster bubble at defensive tackle are Jeremiah Ledbetter and Khyri Thornton. Last season the Lions kept five defensive tackles on the roster. The season ending injury of Jordan Hill against the Patriots ensures these will be numbers four and five.
The only threats to their roster spots come from outside sources. Trade rumors for players like Sheldon Richardson and Marcell Dareus have been bandied about the league all offseason. The time between Thursday and Saturday could see some unconventional players become available. Strong performances by the players that the Lions are stuck with might convinve Bob Quinn not to be looking too hard.