Detroit Lions Training Camp Predictions: Defensive Players in the Roster Bubble

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On Monday, we break down which attacking players will enter Detroit Lions training camp in the roster bubble, and made predictions about who will make the roster and who will see their bubble burst at the end of preseason.

Now is the time to focus on the defensive side of the ball. Offensively, the Lions’ starting lineup is relatively set in stone, and many of the training camp battles seem pretty clear cut at this point. The defensive side of the ball couldn’t be more different. Not only are several starting jobs up for grabs, but Detroit will have to make some tough decisions in depth. The fact that so many of these defensive players are versatile positional players only further complicates the situation.

But our staff went to great lengths to predict which players who enter training camp in the defensive roster bubble will end up making the 53-man roster.

Welcome to Defense Bubble Watch: Week 1.

Bubble Watch: Defense/ST, Week 1

Player Jeremy Reisman ryan matthew mike payton hamza alex reindeer Erik Schlitt John Whitecar perfect chris jerry mallory TOTAL
Player Jeremy Reisman ryan matthew mike payton hamza alex reindeer Erik Schlitt John Whitecar perfect chris jerry mallory TOTAL
DT Jason Cornell IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN 9
DT Bruce Hector OUTSIDE IN OUTSIDE IN OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE IN 3
DT Demetrio Taylor OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE 0
DT Isaiah Buggs OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE 0
EDGE/LB Jarrad Davis IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN 9
EDGE James Houston OUTSIDE IN IN IN IN IN OUTSIDE OUTSIDE IN 6
EDGE Austin Bryant OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE 0
EDGE John Cominsky OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE 0
LB Malcolm Rodriguez IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN 9
LB Josh Woods OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE 0
LB Shaun Dion Hamilton OUTSIDE OUTSIDE IN IN OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE IN IN 4
LB Anthony Pittman IN IN OUTSIDE IN IN OUTSIDE IN IN IN 7
CB AJ Parker IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN 9
CB Mike Hughes IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN 9
C.B. Chase Lucas IN OUTSIDE IN OUTSIDE IN IN IN IN IN 7
C.B. Bobby Price OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE IN 1
CB Mark Gilbert OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE 0
S C J Moore IN OUTSIDE IN IN IN IN IN OUTSIDE OUTSIDE 6
s brady breeze OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE 0
S Ju Ju Hughes OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE 0
K Austin Seibert IN OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE IN IN IN 4
K Riley Patterson OUTSIDE OUTSIDE IN IN IN IN OUTSIDE OUTSIDE OUTSIDE 4

defensive tackle

Read our preview of the DT training camp battle here

  • Jason Cornell – 9 “IN” votes
  • Bruce Hector — 3 “IN” votes
  • Demetrius Taylor—0
  • Isaiah Buggs—0

Presumed In: Michael Brockers, Alim McNeill, Levi Onwuzurike

The Lions will likely only carry four defensive tackles considering the versatility of their room of rim defenders, meaning there can really only be one spot available here in training camp. After performing well in offseason activities this spring, Jason Cornell is the unanimous DT4 according to our staff. That said, some believe Bruce Hector will work his way up the roster after playing some time in injury relief late last year.

edge defender

Read our preview of the EDGE boot camp battle here

  • Jarrad Davis (LB) – 9
  • James Houston—6
  • austin bryant — 0
  • John Cominsky—0

Alleged In: Charles Harris, Aidan Hutchinson, Julian Okwara, Josh Paschal (PUP)
Presumed Out: Romeo Okwara (PUP), Eric Banks, Natrez Patrick (NFI)

Note: These predictions were made before Natrez Patrick and Josh Paschal were listed on the NFI and PUP lists, respectively.

Injuries at this position entering camp have muddied the water, but it’s also likely opened up the opportunity for some of these safety players to make their case early in camp. Without Romeo Okwara, Natrez Patrick or Josh Paschal to start, James Houston, Austin Bryant and John Cominsky will get plenty of reps. Don’t be surprised to see one, or a few, of them bubble-bubble during the first two weeks.

As of now, however, the staff is divided over the fate of sixth-round rookie James Houston, who seemed headed toward a more hybrid EDGE/LB role before Detroit opted for reduce linebacker duties. With a more focused approach, Houston has a great opportunity to show that their unstoppable run from Jackson State translates to the next level.

Interestingly, Jarrad Davis is unanimous. Unlike Houston, he’ll likely move that hybrid role into camp, and we’ve seen Davis show flashes at both positions. More importantly, though, Davis is a perfect fit for the culture here, and he’ll likely contribute at least on special teams.

linebacker

Read our preview of the LB training camp battle here

  • Malcolm Rodriguez—9
  • Antonio Pittman—7
  • Josh Woods—0

Presumed In: Alex Anzalone, Chris Board, Derrick Barnes
Presumed out: N/A

POD staff is buying all of Malcolm Rodriguez’s shares. Despite being a sixth-round pick, he made a big impression at rookie minicamp. At this point, he may not be on the roster bubble, but with so little overdraft at this position, you can’t be too sure.

We’re a little less sure about Pittman. He, too, received a lot of praise in the spring and returns to the team after posting the most special plays for the Lions in 2021.

Shaun Dion Hamilton is still, in theory, a very solid depth. He made it through the last training camp, only to suffer a season-ending injury before the regular season even got around. A repeat performance this year (minus the injury) could catapult him into the starting lineup.

cornerback

Read our preview of the CB Boot Camp battle here

  • A.J. Parker—9
  • Mike Hughes—9
  • Chase Lucas—7
  • bobby price — 1
  • Mark Gilbert—0

Presumed In: Amani Oruwariye, Jeff Okudah, Will Harris, Ifatu Melifonwu
Presumed Out: Saivion Smith, Cedric Boswell
Not included due to unclear injury status: Jerry Jacobs (PUP)

Jerry Jacobs was considered a “presumptive” before news broke Sunday that he will start training camp at PUP. You’ll most likely see it in next week’s Bubble Watch.

Beyond that, Detroit’s nickel corner battle is fascinating. AJ Parker, Mike Hughes and Chase Lucas are all contenders, and most of the staff has decided that all three bring something worth keeping on the roster. Parker played bravely last season as a starter, and given this strong coaching staff, it’s reasonable to expect him to be even better this year. Mike Hughes was very solid at running back for the Chiefs last season and also brings versatility to play outside. Chase Lucas is as smart as you’d expect from a 25-year-old rookie, and he could make an immediate contribution on special teams.

The question here is what will the Lions do deep in the outside corner? At this point, we’re assuming Will Harris as the primary backup considering he played the position relatively well both at the end of last season and in the spring. But is Ifatu Melifonwu an outside corner, safety, or situational penny? If he stays in the corner, it will be very difficult for the likes of Bobby Price, Mark Gilbert and the UDFA to break the roster.

This position is in constant flux, and we could see some drastic changes here once the Lions actually get out on the field and reveal some of their intentions.

Safety

Read our preview of the Battle of Training Camp S here

  • CJ Moore—6
  • Breeze Brady—0
  • juju hughes — 0

Presumed In: Tracy Walker, DeShon Elliott, Kerby Joseph
Presumed out: N/A

As a cornerback, we have to wait for things to shake up in camp to see who is Really competing for depth here, but the perspective is certainly clearer here. Tracy Walker and DeShon Elliott are the undisputed starters at the moment, and third-round rookie Kerby Joseph is safe from roster cuts. But will the Lions rely on Harris and Melifonwu for additional depth, or will they have room for CJ Moore, who can contribute on special teams and provide adequate play at defensive depth? Right now, most still have Moore, but he’s certainly not a lock.

Kicker

Read our ST Boot Camp battle preview here

  • Austin Seibert—4
  • Riley Patterson—4

Right now, the staff is completely split down the middle between the kicker who started the 2021 season (Seibert) and the one who finished the season (Patterson). Both played well during the season but showed a worrying lack of consistency in the spring. If that continues, I guess it’s entirely possible the Lions again decide to leave their two kickers behind on the roster in training camp. like they did last year (and as Ryan Mathews already predicts).

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