DETROIT – The Detroit Lions made their final preseason cuts on Tuesday, trimming the roster down to 53 players.
There wasn’t a whole lot of mystery. The starters had all largely been determined before the start of preseason games, and only a handful of positions had legitimate battles for roster spots.
But there were still some notable decisions when the final roster came out.
Hendon Hooker vs. Nate Sudfeld
All preseason, the Hendon Hooker vs. Nate Sudfeld battle dominated headlines, but in the end, the Lions had an easy decision.
Sudfeld struggled in the first two preseason games, and Hooker did enough against the Steelers on Sunday to cement his spot as the backup.
I’m glad the Lions didn’t keep three quarterbacks, at least with these options. They need every available roster spot. But there’s still a chance they try to add a veteran.
Donovan Peoples-Jones
The Lions traded for Donovan Peoples-Jones last year and then re-signed him during the offseason. He entered the preseason with the expectation that he would make the roster.
But the production wasn’t there. Peoples-Jones had just two catches on nine targets, finishing well behind other roster candidates.
Isaiah Williams
For every player who gets cut, there’s someone unexpected who makes the roster. Part of the reason Peoples-Jones didn’t get much action in the preseason is because Williams was hogging the football.
He led the team with 11 catches while also handling the majority of kick and punt return duties.
Don’t expect Williams to get buried on the depth chart, either. The Lions only kept four receivers (though they’re reportedly adding Tim Patrick), so everyone has to contribute.
Tight ends
It was a little surprising to see Parker Hesse get the third tight end spot over Shane Zylstra and James Mitchell -- two guys who have been around for a couple of years.
But the Lions clearly wanted to take the best blocker behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright, and Hesse gives them that element.
Isaac Ukwu
It’s a bummer that Ukwu couldn’t squeeze his way onto the roster after being one of the standout players of the preseason.
Ukwu made three sacks in three games and was consistently disruptive in the backfield. But that last strong performance by James Houston against the Steelers might have been the difference.
Kyle Peko
I was surprised to see Kyle Peko on the cut list. It seemed like he was held out of preseason games because he was on the right side of the bubble.
He might be a name to keep an eye on, still.
Brandon Joseph and Loren Strickland
If you asked me at the start of the preseason, I would have guessed C.J. Moore and Steven Gilmore had the inside track to make the roster over Brandon Joseph and Loren Strickland.
But Joseph and Strickland were playmakers this month, and the Lions have enough depth at this position to take a couple of shots.
There are 11 defensive backs on the 53-man, so Joseph and Strickland will likely see most of their early playing time on special teams.
