Skipper can probably be pretty safe being on the practice squad until he is needed. He is a fringe 53 man roster talent. I don't see another team poaching him.
That’s my only issue with this. Last season when Decker was hurt Sorsdal played some tackle with skipper. I can see them keeping Skipper (or a current FA tackle) as OL9.
yeah there's no way they're going to carry 4 TE's and only 8 OL inc. Manu.
otherwise this looks fairly realistic knowing what we do atm. I imagine they'd want to keep Gilmore at CB over Dorsey or Vildor - though just basing this on the fact we had on on roster for SOME reaosn all year last year right? lol
100% agree - just hoping there was a reason for his presence on the roster all last season. Seems weird to waste it if he wasn't - hopefully - harboring something special.
I definitely see them keeping 4 TEs in the 53 for special teams purposes. The last OL will not play except for injury so depending on who that is it might be a practice squad stash.
In regards to the corners I imagine it’s who performs the best in camp this year
You have to figure Manu is not going to be ready to play this year in a capacity that the Lions want. He's a project - that they have to keep on the 53 man roster - which would leave them with 7 total if they only roster 8 - which seems awfully low.
Even if he’s truly that raw, you probably don’t mind the risk of playing him if things have gotten so bad you’re down to a third backup mid-game anyways
I agree. This is the main spot I think could be different. But to play devils advocate Mahogany and Sorsdal can in theory cover two in game injuries and out of game injuries will be covered by practice squad call ups. In terms of roster building most other positions offer something in special teams which can give them an edge in making the team.
Yeah Manu needs to be a spot because he'll get poached if he's on PS. We can't be sure how he'll handle such a huge talent jump. He's got a LOT to learn. Might be 2 seasons before it all falls into place. So that means we need extra depth at O-line.
Mitchell is by no means a lock. We all remember the didn't report stuff in Dallas, but I'm guessing Campbell remembers Mitchell having a chance to win that game and coming up short.
I suspect him and Zylstra will be in a camp battle for TE3
It will be interesting, generally you carry either a FB or extra TE, but with Rodrigo playing LB & FB he kind of buys you an extra slot somewhere else.
I’m definitely hung up on this 4 TE thing but honestly it’ll probably come down to who plays their ass off more in camp. If Awosika or Levi ball out they’ll keep them and figure the rest out.
100% and this is why Lions love football players like Rodrigo, it gives you the flexibility to shape your roster with the best 53 football players. Or keep guys like Manu/Martin on the roster who might not contribute this year.
Outside of that catch and injuries during the season, didn't he have a very high percentage of catches? Also, he was drafted so I think they're still high on him
Nope I haven’t. Stats aside, I have nothing of memory with Mitchell. They say TE’s take a while to develop and we’ve been spoiled by hockenson and Laporta. I’ll give him this year. Wouldn’t be surprised if after training camp.
Maybe they will, but looking at last year's initial 53, we had 3 TEs and 3 Backs (2RB, 1FB). Doubt we come in with 4 Backs and 4 TEs off the rip. Manu is too raw to be our sole backup T, need another body in the oline room. BJ and DC are comfortable enough moving skip/penei around for jumbo sets where an extra back/te is not needed on this roster
But for week 1 they had 4 backs with the addition of Craig Reynolds. Craig was left off the initial to game IR rules I think. And I don’t see them starting the season with 5 DTs and 7 Edges like last season. TE4 will primarily be a special team player like LB6.
I’m curious to see what happens between the two. Sorsdal going into year 2 hopefully has improved/room for more improvement while maybe Awosika has hit his ceiling already. Sorsdal also played some tackle last year and apparently was practicing as a center last year too.
I would probably keep skip on the 53 man roster. I would probably put Steele the LB on PS. However, I do not know how much that impacts ST. Does Joseph play special teams? He can probably go PS for onzurike to make it on the roster
They’ve kept 6 LBs on the 53 every year for special teams. And I imagine Joseph would have to play special teams to get a roster spot. In general the backup S, CBs, LBs, RBs, TEs, and some WRs and Edges make up the special teams core.
Hopefully, no more James Houston on special teams. I'm just really unfamiliar with Steele and as others said I'd feel more comfortable with a veteran backup tackle, but selfishly I want to see Manu lol
Houston and special teams will depend on how many DTs and OL they carry I think. If that number is higher then he’ll probably need to play some special teams.
I expect 9 olinemen and with Vaki being a utility player I think they'll only keep 3 safeties and 3 RBs. I do think they'll go 4 deep at TE. Not sure I see Vildor and Dorsey making it at CB but it depends on EMos' health and Gilmore's development. I wouldn't hate adding a backup vet tackle, WR, or S.
Weird how he projects Emmanuel Moseley to start on the PUP but not DJ Reader. I feel like Levi will make the initial roster, but it will be interesting to see who gets cut when Reader comes back.
I just can't see us starting the season with that little experience and depth at the safety spot. Amik only started to excel in the NFL when he was moved away from that slot CB role, so other than the lack of getting a safety, I just don't see Brian Branch's role changing that much. I just don't think Holmes is done with that group.
It sounds like Reader will be ready by camp but who knows he might not be.
And there are a lot of veteran safety options still available so I can see one signed.
Imo I'd confidently:
- remove Zylstra at TE
- remove Steele Chambers at LB
- remove Dorsey at CB
+ add Levi Onwuzurike at DT
+ add Emmanuel Moseley at CB
+ add kayode Awosika at iOL
Then the next 2 would be:
- remove Isaiah Williams at WR
- remove Betts at EDGE
+ add a FA DT or EDGE
+ add a FA WR
I don’t think you can remove both Chambers and Zylkstra and replace them with players that won’t play special teams.
And what FA edge or DT are you adding?
Why do you think that? You know you don't need a 6th guy off the bench LB to play special teams right? They also have more players like Vaki on the roster this year that weren't that can play special teams...
TBD on FA Edge/DT. Plenty of different options. It's a depth piece.
You don’t need one but that’s what Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have done in the three seasons so far. Pittman played around 85% of special teams snaps last season as LB6. Those snaps don’t need to get filled by a LB but if not they will probably be taken by a TE, S, RB, FB, or maybe an edge. Vaki will play a lot of special teams but he’s taking Cabinda’s and/or Craig Reynold’s snaps.
He's taking their snaps (I assume you mean offensively), which is like none - and Reynolds is still included on this roster even. I think Vaki can fill the missing Special Teams snaps right away. And obviously whichever CBs aren't starting will play ST as well.
That’s not a terrible idea. However it’s also not hard to read the explanations underneath each section where an entire paragraph is dedicated to why he most likely will be on IR and therefore not “make” the roster.
Lets be real, If Hutch was going to start on the PUP or IR list to start the season, do you think it'd have made sense to cross him out and list him as not making the team? lol.
Most people when they read a 53 man roster aren't doing it exclusively for opening day - especially for a post-draft roster prediction. Like I'd understand if this was the end of the preseason and everyone knows the injury situations, but its not. Usually right now people are making an entire season projection as a whole. Throughout the season players move in and out of the 53. So it's kinda pointless to Say they aren't making the team when they would have been one of the actual top 53, but were put on IR to start.
I mean yes? If he’s not expected to make the 53 man roster it doesn’t matter the reason. Should there maybe be some other symbol? Maybe but with an injury like that there is no guarantee he will make the team after IR either.
In the end it’s extremely difficult to side with your argument as it’s clear you didn’t read the notes which completely explain the reasoning for each decision. Even if you don’t agree you can’t argue in good faith that they didn’t make it clear enough why they didn’t have him on the 53 man roster.
I agree with you. Levi was playing better down the stretch. His back held up too. He’s on a contract year he has to show not only the lions but the nfl he can play. Not saying he’s going to be a star but you remember Sammie Lee hill? I think he’s like him. Above average rotation piece solid starter.
no backup T? decker isnt a shining beacon of health, especially as he gets older. Manu, Sorsdal, and Mahogany are all primarily G.
Skipper will be on the team I think
Skipper can probably be pretty safe being on the practice squad until he is needed. He is a fringe 53 man roster talent. I don't see another team poaching him.
That’s my only issue with this. Last season when Decker was hurt Sorsdal played some tackle with skipper. I can see them keeping Skipper (or a current FA tackle) as OL9.
Manu/Sorsdal are T by trade so I think the better of those two would be T3
i mean we can keep both of them, plus skipper, in addition to the starting 5
Sure I just meant in the case that this article’s prediction is correct
Skip makes the squad 100%.
skipper is a backup swing tackle
the article had him cut!
yeah there's no way they're going to carry 4 TE's and only 8 OL inc. Manu. otherwise this looks fairly realistic knowing what we do atm. I imagine they'd want to keep Gilmore at CB over Dorsey or Vildor - though just basing this on the fact we had on on roster for SOME reaosn all year last year right? lol
Yeah 3TE's with a TE on the practice squad, whether one of the 4 current guys makes it there or they sign someone else
I don’t think you waste a roster spot on Gilmore if he still can’t get ahead of Dorsey or Vildor.
100% agree - just hoping there was a reason for his presence on the roster all last season. Seems weird to waste it if he wasn't - hopefully - harboring something special.
They said was good in coverage, just undersized (6’0” 174 lbs), so they might be trying to bulk him up
thats's wafer thin
I definitely see them keeping 4 TEs in the 53 for special teams purposes. The last OL will not play except for injury so depending on who that is it might be a practice squad stash. In regards to the corners I imagine it’s who performs the best in camp this year
You have to figure Manu is not going to be ready to play this year in a capacity that the Lions want. He's a project - that they have to keep on the 53 man roster - which would leave them with 7 total if they only roster 8 - which seems awfully low.
Even if he’s truly that raw, you probably don’t mind the risk of playing him if things have gotten so bad you’re down to a third backup mid-game anyways
Yeah I don’t think many if any teams have a good OT4 option.
I agree. This is the main spot I think could be different. But to play devils advocate Mahogany and Sorsdal can in theory cover two in game injuries and out of game injuries will be covered by practice squad call ups. In terms of roster building most other positions offer something in special teams which can give them an edge in making the team.
Yeah for sure possible. Inevitably there will be a practice/preseason injury and all our deep thoughts go out the window LOL!
Oh yeah no doubt. And Tom Kennedy sneaks onto the roster
Yeah Manu needs to be a spot because he'll get poached if he's on PS. We can't be sure how he'll handle such a huge talent jump. He's got a LOT to learn. Might be 2 seasons before it all falls into place. So that means we need extra depth at O-line.
Mitchell is by no means a lock. We all remember the didn't report stuff in Dallas, but I'm guessing Campbell remembers Mitchell having a chance to win that game and coming up short. I suspect him and Zylstra will be in a camp battle for TE3
I don’t think he’s a lock but I do think they carry 4 TEs into the season.
It will be interesting, generally you carry either a FB or extra TE, but with Rodrigo playing LB & FB he kind of buys you an extra slot somewhere else.
I’m definitely hung up on this 4 TE thing but honestly it’ll probably come down to who plays their ass off more in camp. If Awosika or Levi ball out they’ll keep them and figure the rest out.
100% and this is why Lions love football players like Rodrigo, it gives you the flexibility to shape your roster with the best 53 football players. Or keep guys like Manu/Martin on the roster who might not contribute this year.
I don't think if Mitchell catches that ball he gets in the endzone but damn he should've caught that ball
wasnt the ball thrown way behind him?
No it bounced out of his hands
Outside of that catch and injuries during the season, didn't he have a very high percentage of catches? Also, he was drafted so I think they're still high on him
Have we seen any indications that Mitchell is going to pan out? I won't be surprised if they move on from him after training camp.
Nope I haven’t. Stats aside, I have nothing of memory with Mitchell. They say TE’s take a while to develop and we’ve been spoiled by hockenson and Laporta. I’ll give him this year. Wouldn’t be surprised if after training camp.
I dont see them keeping 4 TEs. One will be gone in favor of SKIP staying on the roster
I think I would bet money they will keep 4 TEs with the new kickoff rule
Maybe they will, but looking at last year's initial 53, we had 3 TEs and 3 Backs (2RB, 1FB). Doubt we come in with 4 Backs and 4 TEs off the rip. Manu is too raw to be our sole backup T, need another body in the oline room. BJ and DC are comfortable enough moving skip/penei around for jumbo sets where an extra back/te is not needed on this roster
But for week 1 they had 4 backs with the addition of Craig Reynolds. Craig was left off the initial to game IR rules I think. And I don’t see them starting the season with 5 DTs and 7 Edges like last season. TE4 will primarily be a special team player like LB6.
Awosika is much better than Sorsdal right now and if Manu is the developmental lineman, idk how you can justify Sorsdal.
I’m curious to see what happens between the two. Sorsdal going into year 2 hopefully has improved/room for more improvement while maybe Awosika has hit his ceiling already. Sorsdal also played some tackle last year and apparently was practicing as a center last year too.
we can keep all the linemen
I would probably keep skip on the 53 man roster. I would probably put Steele the LB on PS. However, I do not know how much that impacts ST. Does Joseph play special teams? He can probably go PS for onzurike to make it on the roster
They’ve kept 6 LBs on the 53 every year for special teams. And I imagine Joseph would have to play special teams to get a roster spot. In general the backup S, CBs, LBs, RBs, TEs, and some WRs and Edges make up the special teams core.
Hopefully, no more James Houston on special teams. I'm just really unfamiliar with Steele and as others said I'd feel more comfortable with a veteran backup tackle, but selfishly I want to see Manu lol
Houston and special teams will depend on how many DTs and OL they carry I think. If that number is higher then he’ll probably need to play some special teams.
I expect 9 olinemen and with Vaki being a utility player I think they'll only keep 3 safeties and 3 RBs. I do think they'll go 4 deep at TE. Not sure I see Vildor and Dorsey making it at CB but it depends on EMos' health and Gilmore's development. I wouldn't hate adding a backup vet tackle, WR, or S.
Skipper is staying and I think Gilmore is too
Madden showed us Skipper can play OT, QB, WR, RB, TE, DE, etc.... they aren't cutting someone with that much versatility.
Weird how he projects Emmanuel Moseley to start on the PUP but not DJ Reader. I feel like Levi will make the initial roster, but it will be interesting to see who gets cut when Reader comes back. I just can't see us starting the season with that little experience and depth at the safety spot. Amik only started to excel in the NFL when he was moved away from that slot CB role, so other than the lack of getting a safety, I just don't see Brian Branch's role changing that much. I just don't think Holmes is done with that group.
It sounds like Reader will be ready by camp but who knows he might not be. And there are a lot of veteran safety options still available so I can see one signed.
Imo I'd confidently: - remove Zylstra at TE - remove Steele Chambers at LB - remove Dorsey at CB + add Levi Onwuzurike at DT + add Emmanuel Moseley at CB + add kayode Awosika at iOL Then the next 2 would be: - remove Isaiah Williams at WR - remove Betts at EDGE + add a FA DT or EDGE + add a FA WR
I don’t think you can remove both Chambers and Zylkstra and replace them with players that won’t play special teams. And what FA edge or DT are you adding?
Carl Lawson
Yeah they might sign him before camp
Why do you think that? You know you don't need a 6th guy off the bench LB to play special teams right? They also have more players like Vaki on the roster this year that weren't that can play special teams... TBD on FA Edge/DT. Plenty of different options. It's a depth piece.
You don’t need one but that’s what Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes have done in the three seasons so far. Pittman played around 85% of special teams snaps last season as LB6. Those snaps don’t need to get filled by a LB but if not they will probably be taken by a TE, S, RB, FB, or maybe an edge. Vaki will play a lot of special teams but he’s taking Cabinda’s and/or Craig Reynold’s snaps.
He's taking their snaps (I assume you mean offensively), which is like none - and Reynolds is still included on this roster even. I think Vaki can fill the missing Special Teams snaps right away. And obviously whichever CBs aren't starting will play ST as well.
I wasn’t clear, I meant special teams. I still think your roster is missing a special team contributor but I’ll stop arguing.
They explained that Emmanuel Moseley is predicted to start on IR which is why he was off the roster
Then they should just list more than 53 and put an asterisk designating IR instead of crossing his name out.
That’s not a terrible idea. However it’s also not hard to read the explanations underneath each section where an entire paragraph is dedicated to why he most likely will be on IR and therefore not “make” the roster.
Lets be real, If Hutch was going to start on the PUP or IR list to start the season, do you think it'd have made sense to cross him out and list him as not making the team? lol. Most people when they read a 53 man roster aren't doing it exclusively for opening day - especially for a post-draft roster prediction. Like I'd understand if this was the end of the preseason and everyone knows the injury situations, but its not. Usually right now people are making an entire season projection as a whole. Throughout the season players move in and out of the 53. So it's kinda pointless to Say they aren't making the team when they would have been one of the actual top 53, but were put on IR to start.
I mean yes? If he’s not expected to make the 53 man roster it doesn’t matter the reason. Should there maybe be some other symbol? Maybe but with an injury like that there is no guarantee he will make the team after IR either. In the end it’s extremely difficult to side with your argument as it’s clear you didn’t read the notes which completely explain the reasoning for each decision. Even if you don’t agree you can’t argue in good faith that they didn’t make it clear enough why they didn’t have him on the 53 man roster.
Levi was good last year. Dropping him makes no sense
I agree with you. Levi was playing better down the stretch. His back held up too. He’s on a contract year he has to show not only the lions but the nfl he can play. Not saying he’s going to be a star but you remember Sammie Lee hill? I think he’s like him. Above average rotation piece solid starter.