Some quick thoughts on every move from the first wave of Detroit Lions roster cuts.
On Monday, the Detroit Lions started their cutdown from 90 players to 53. While none of the moves made are official yet—Detroit did not appear on the transaction wire for Monday—they did notify several players of their intentions. In total, 12 moves are currently known about. While none were particularly shocking, let’s break down what each one means for the rest of the roster.
Lions to place CB Emmanuel Moseley on IR-to-return
Moseley tore his pectoral muscle three weeks ago during joint practices with the Giants. Coach Dan Campbell indicated that they were hoping he’d have a chance to return this season, and this illustrates that the Lions’ feelings have not changed. Detroit is utilizing a new roster rule here that allows teams to place a total of two players on IR on the day of cutdowns, while still keeping them eligible to return. John Cominsky is expected to be the other player to use this new rule, although that has not yet been confirmed.
Lions to place rookie G Christian Mahogany on reserve/non-football illness
Mahogany has missed all of training camp with an unspecified illness. While he’s back in the building and training to get his body back in football shape, the Lions opted to save a roster spot by putting him on the regular season NFI. This means he’ll miss the first four games of the season. Unfortunately, during that time he will not be able to get his first practices in, but there’s no hurry with his development, and once those four weeks expire, he can get on the field for a three-week acclimation period without taking up a roster spot.
Lions waive WR Kaden Davis
Davis was one of the most interesting stories in camp. He won a spot on the team after impressing during a rookie minicamp tryout, and at one point, he had worked his way up the depth chart, getting time with the first-team offense. However, his star quickly faded, and he spent most of his time with the second and third teams. He made enough plays, though, to make a serious case for the practice squad should he clear waivers.
Lions cut WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
After Antoine Green suffered a concussion and was placed on IR, the path was cleared for Peoples-Jones to win a roster spot and a significant role on the Lions’ offense. Unfortunately, things never appeared to click for him. Despite the head start of being traded for in the middle of last season, Peoples-Jones never meshed into the offense and produced just two catches on nine targets in the preseason.
Will the Lions be without an X-receiver on their initial 53-man roster and be in the market? Or could this open up a spot for someone like Daurice Fountain, who impressed early in camp but struggled late? Fountain was tweeting cryptic things on Monday night .
Lions waive TE Shane Zylstra
A mild surprise, as I had Zylstra in over 2020 fifth-round pick James Mitchell. In my opinion, Zylstra outplayed Mitchell in camp and the preseason, but this appears to be a sign that Detroit still likes the developmental potential in Mitchell, which is completely understandable.
While this is almost certainly good news for Mitchell, I’m curious if the Lions will keep Parker Hesse as a fourth tight end/fullback/special teamer or just go with Mitchell, Sam LaPorta, and Brock Wright.
Lions waive RB Zonovan Knight
Knight belongs in the NFL, in my opinion, but it was an impossibly steep hill to climb in Detroit. The Lions’ top four backs are set with Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds, and Sione Vaki. And if the Lions opt to keep a fifth, Jermar Jefferson remains the most likely candidate.
Lions waive iOL Bryan Hudson
Hudson was one of three undrafted rookie centers the Lions added this offseason, and he was quickly overshadowed by the other two: Kingsley Eguakun and Duke Clemons. It remains to be seen whether any of the three make the final roster, but at least one should slip to the practice squad to continue their development.
Lions waive CB Rachad Wildgoose
Wildgoose was only added last week to give Detroit depth for the final preseason game. He had no realistic chance to make the roster but played well enough in the game to earn a post-game shoutout from Campbell. Maybe that’s enough to land on a practice squad elsewhere.
Agude was a pleasant surprise in camp, occasionally working with the first-team defense early and making plays in the preseason—including blowing up two screens against the Chiefs. Given that Detroit was testing him out at the SAM linebacker position, I would not be surprised to see him back on the practice squad.
Now it appears James Houston and Isaac Ukwu will battle for the EDGE4 spot, although Detroit could certainly make room for them both.
Lions release LB Ty Summers
Summers, a mid-training camp addition, got a ton of playing time in the preseason because Detroit opted to rest their top four linebackers. There truly was only one linebacker job up for grabs and Summers made a nice run at it, particularly with 1.5 sacks in the preseason finale.
Summers is a veteran, so he’s free to sign with any team once his release is official. He could return to Detroit’s practice squad, although that is a deep linebacker room.
Lions release DL Pat O’Connor
I thought O’Connor was a sneaky standout in the preseason , and it appears the Lions agree. According to Aaron Wilson, the Lions plan to re-sign O’Connor to the practice squad . A veteran defensive lineman with range to play the 5- and 3-technique roles, he could fill a depth void following Cominsky’s injury.
Lions waive LS Scott Daly
No battle was tighter than long snapper, and while I predicted the Lions to keep Hogan Hatten, it was admittedly a shot in the dark. That said, Hatten was a weapon in punt coverage, often being the first man down to meet the returner. Campbell noted several times how intrigued they were by his athleticism.
“One of the reasons we wanted to bring Hogan in was, he was intriguing in his coverage ability,” Campbell said. “He did play linebacker in college. So, he runs pretty good, and he kind of has an awareness on the football.”
That clearly translated onto the field, and he was consistent enough as a snapper to win the job.
In my opinion, Daly didn’t lose this job as much as Hatten won it. Daly can—and should—be a long snapper in this league. He has come a long way since his early inconsistencies.