Detroit Lions: Pre-training camp Offense roster predictions
By Zack Moran
Training camp is upon us and I dive in the Detroit Lions offense and see who can make the opening game roster and who has the potential for surprises and steal a spot on the roster.
The Detroit Lions training camp is right around the corner. As of right now, the roster seems to be set going into training camp. I decided to take my fist stab predicting the offense roster pre-training camp and a sleeper option to keep your eyes on at each of the positions. The defense will come at a later date.
QB: Matthew Stafford, Jake Rudock
I went with Rudock over Matt Cassel for the backup QB position because Rudock has youth on his side and has more experience in this system. Cassel is familiar with Patricia and the scheme that will be ran and he has a strong veteran presence. This is one of the camp battles I am keeping a close eye on cause it go either way; but itll be one or the other. There are more positions of need than keeping a third quarterback.
RB: Ameer Abdullah, LeGarrette Blount, Kerryon Johnson, Theo Riddick, Nick Bellore
Blount and Johnson are pretty much locks for the roster at this point. Riddick is one of the best receiving backs in the game, an excellent pass protector, and an asset to the offense. Abdullah because he can provide insurance in case of injuries, he could also help on special teams, and he is on a cheap contract. The Lions shown they want to incorporate the fullback position by drafting Nick Bawden. Bawden went down with an injury, but Bellore converted to fullback permanently and gets a spot on the roster.
Sleeper: Dwayne Washington. He very athletic and has a lot of potential. If he is able to put everything together, he could be a threat to make the roster over Abdullah.
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WR: Marvin Jones, Golden Tate, Kenny Golladay, T.J Jones, Jace Billingsley
Jones, Tate, and Golladay are going to be the starting receiver’s game after game. I think T.J Jones will make the roster due to experience in the system and he has shown he can carve out a role as the fourth receiver or take over just in case of injuries. The fifth receiver was a tough one for me, but I went with Billingsley. With his familiarity with the system and possible New England style from Coach Patricia, I think he can find a home in the receiver corps as a slot. Keep your eye on this one because there are a lot some exciting undrafted receivers that could easily take Jones’ and Billingsley’s place.
Sleeper: Teo Redding. He caught a lot of eyes during minicamp and OTAs with he consistent big catches and stand out play on special teams. He has a steep hill to climb as an undrafted free agent; but if T.J Jones hasn’t healed up from his shoulder surgery or Billlingsley isn’t cutting it, watch out for Redding.
TE: Michael Roberts, Luke Willson, Levine Toilolo
The Lions lost a lot of production from the tight end position this year, so they had a lot of work to do. I don’t think the tight ends will be used heavily in the passing game and probably be a rotation of the three and no set starter. Roberts has the potential to be an all in one tight end with receiving and blocking duties. Willson will probably be used in a more receiving capacity. Toilolo will be used more as a blocking tight end.
Sleeper: Hakeem Valles. Valles is still a raw prospect when it comes to tight end. The Lions see something in him to keep around on the practice squad. He also earned a call-up for the last game of last season. If he can open eyes during training camp, he can possibly earn a roster spot.
OL: Taylor Decker, Rick Wagner, Frank Ragnow, T.J Lang, Graham Glasgow, Tyrell Crosby, Joe Dahl, Kenny Wiggins, Corey Robinson
Decker, Wagner, Ragnow, Lang, and Glasgow is going to be the starting offensive line. No ifs or buts about that. Crosby and Dahl are versatile enough to play any position along the offensive line, other than center. As shown by last year through all the injuries, it’s nice to have that insurance with versatile personnel. I slotted Wiggins in this spot because of the contract he received and his versatility along the line. I chose Robinson because of system familiarity and has shown he can be a serviceable backup tackle; but he easily lose out if he doesn’t produce during training camp.
Sleeper: Brian Mihalik. Mihalik preformed admirably last season after the Greg Robinson experiment failed. If he shows he take over the back up tackle from the often injured Corey Robinson, he can make this roster.
Next: Detroit Lions: 2018 NFL supplemental draft has intrigue
The training camp battles to watch are as follows: Cassel vs. Rudock at quarterback, Mihalik vs. Robinson at offensive tackle, and Billingsley vs. Redding at wide receiver. The Lions offense should be one of the bst units in the NFL.