Detroit Lions: Predicting the final 53-man roster for the 2021 season
By Bob Heyrman
Detroit Lions: Defensive line/ Edge rushers (10)
- Trey Flowers
- Romeo Okwara
- Michael Brokers
- Da’Shawn Hand
- Julian Okwara
- Austin Bryant
- Alim McNeill
- Nick Williams
- Levi Onwuzurike
- Kevin Strong
This was the hardest group for me to sift through. I really wanted to keep John Penisini, but Kevin Strong certainly performed well enough and deserves a spot on the Detroit Lions 53-man roster.
The other decision I continued to waver with was the often injured Austin Bryant or Charles Harris. If Harris is the desired player, I’m fine with it, but I predict Bryant due to his overall ceiling.
Harris is likely a better option today, but with some sound coaching and on-field development, Bryant could become a force coming off the edge for the Lions in the future; he just needs to find a way to remain healthy.
Detroit Lions: Linebacker (4)
- Derrick Barnes
- Jamie Collins
- Alex Anzalone
- Jalen Reeves-Maybin
This seems very straightforward because it is. Derrick Barnes appears to be a star in the making, Jamie Collins is still a sound linebacker expected to lead the group.
Anzalone was brought in from New Orleans, where Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn coached. They know what they are getting from the depth, coverage linebacker, and Jalen Reeves-Maybin can fill in on defense in a pinch but excels on special teams.
Also, I would have loved to keep Anthony Pittman, but at whose expense? And good riddance to Jahlani Tavai.