With the 2019 NFL Draft firmly in the rear view mirror and the off season workouts on the horizon I though this would be a good time to make some post draft roster predictions. I know that free agency is an ongoing event and there are always ways to take advantage of cut day to fill some roster holes. Nevertheless, looking at the way the roster looks following the draft I can make some somewhat educated predictions as to where this roster is going. I intend to do more in-depth offense and defense focused posts in the future during the long time between organized team activities and training camp but for now I am focused on roster predictions as opposed to position predictions.
Offense (25 Players)
While the offense may have seamed like an after thought coming out of free agency it was front and center in this year's draft with the selection of T.J. Hockenson, tight end from Iowa. The shift that this pick causes in the tight end squad not only increases the quality of the depth but gives the Detroit Lions the ability to run two tight end sets a lot more often (which I expect to become the base offense at some point this season). The drafting of Travis Fulghram in the sixth round give the team a long term developmental player like Kenny Golladay (and perhaps even an eventual replacement for Marvin Jones if needed.) The addition of two offensive linemen from the undrafted free agent pool gives the team better depth on the O-Line and some more competition for the starting right guard spot. I expect the sixth round running back Ty Johnson and seventh round tight end Isaac Nauta to wind up on the practice squad. Johnson could win a roster spot via the kick or punt return job and if the team moves on from Micheal Roberts that would open the door for Nauta to make the roster. I have Cook at the backup QB spot but I could also see Tom Savage take that job as well.
Offensive Line
Starters: Taylor Decker - Frank Ragnow - Graham Glasgow -Kenny Wiggins - Rick Wagner
Depth: Ryan Pope - Beau Benzschawel - Joe Dahl - Oday Aboushi - Tyrell Crosby
Tight ends
Starters: Jessie James - T.J. Hockenson
Depth: Micheal Roberts
Wide Receivers
Starters: Kenny Golladay - Marvin Jones - Danny Amendola
Depth: Tommylee Lewis - Travis Fulgham
Running Backs (Full Back)
Starters: Kerryon Johnson - C.J. Anderson - (Nick Bawden)
Depth: Zach Zenner - Theo Riddick
Quarterbacks
Starter: Matthew Stafford
Depth Connor Cook
Defense (25 Players)
It is safe to say that the defense got the Lion's share of the free agency money this year but they were not ignored in this year's draft class either. The Lions made an odd seaming pick in the second round with Jahlani Tavai , linebacker from Hawaii. Tavai is a do it all linebacker and is being primed to take over for Christian Jones and JRM as the third linebacker on the field for the starting defense at some point in the season. Will Harris will likely be used the same way Killebrew was in 2016 in a dime package as a box safety. Austin Bryant will be a rotational piece on the defensive line and will likely be used like Ziggy was in obvious passing situations. Amani Oruwariye has a chance of winning the starting outside corner spot either out of the gate or a some point in the season. PJ Johnson is likely a long term developmental prospect/ eventual replacement for Snacks Harrison at nose tackle. With the changes made as a result of this draft class we will likely have seen the last of Jalen Reeves Maybin and Tavon Wilson as the team looks to get younger and bigger on defense.
Defensive Line
Starters: Da'Shawn Hand - A'Shawn Robinson - Damon Harrison - Trey Flowers
Depth: Romeo Okwara - John Atkins - PJ Johnson - Austin Bryant
Line Backers
Starters: Devon Kennard - Jarrad Davis -Jahlani Tavai
Depth: Christian Jones - Steve Longa - Miles Killebrew
Corner Backs
Starters: Darius Slay - Justin Coleman - Rashaan Melvin
Depth: Teez Tabor - Jamal Agnew - Amani Oruwariye
Safeties
Starters: Quandre Diggs - Tracy Walker
Depth: Will Harris - Andrew Adams - Charles Washington
Special Teams (3 Players)
Punter: Sam Martin
Kicker: Matt Prater
Long Snapper: Don Muhlbach
Kick Returner: Tommylee Lewis
Punt Returner: Jamal Agnew
Conclusion
The Lions address most of their needs between free agency and the draft in the 2019 off season (The off season improvement really began in the middle of last season with the trade for Damon Harrison). The two biggest needs for the Detroit Football Lions is an Obvious start at both Right Guard and Outside Corner opposite of Darius Slay. In both of those instances though the team has at least three players who can legitimately compete for those starting positions. The tight end squad turns form a weakness to a position of strength and the Depth issue I saw on the Defensive line looks like it has been filled quite nicely. I will be doing more in-depth analysis posts during the long summer off season taking a look at where I think the team is going on both offense and defense.
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