Lions roster review: Thoughts on all 45 of Detroit's offensive players (2024)

We’re a little less than a month out from the start of training camp, and the Detroit Lions are currently enjoying some much-needed time off.

Soon enough, they’ll regroup to prepare for a highly anticipated season. A team that finished 12-5 and reached the NFC Championship Game in 2023 believes it has a chance to be even better in 2024. Until then, though, we’ll be offering thoughts on each player — starting with the offense.

QB Jared Goff: QB1 with a new contract — life is good for Goff these days. He was a calming presence during the playoffs last season, a particularly important element for a young team that hadn’t been there before. He’ll look to take these Lions even further in 2024.

QB Hendon Hooker: Hooker is entering Year 2 in the NFL and his first full season as Detroit’s backup. The Lions are working to correct the 2023 third-round pick’s footwork to match the timing of their offense. That has led to some obvious growing pains, but the flashes were there this spring.

QB Nate Sudfeld: A year ago, the Lions kept only two QBs on the roster — Goff and Teddy Bridgewater. If that’s the approach again in 2024, Sudfeld likely would be the odd man out. However, given how QBs coach Mark Brunell speaks of Sudfeld (spoiler: highly), perhaps the Lions try to make the roster math work to keep him around.

RB Jahmyr Gibbs: By the end of last season, Gibbs looked like one of the best running backs in the NFL. The Lions believe there’s still more to tap into in terms of his receiving skills, but as is, Gibbs is a dynamic talent with the ball in his hands and should be even better as a sophom*ore.

RB David Montgomery: Montgomery and Gibbs form arguably the top running back duo in the league, and the former’s between-the-tackles style complements Gibbs’ speed and elusiveness in open space quite well. Expect another 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown season for Montgomery.

RB Craig Reynolds: Reynolds will have to hold off others for his RB3 job, but it’s hard to imagine the Lions without him. He’s tough, knowledgeable, contributes on special teams, is well-liked by players and staff alike and represents Detroit’s culture well. There should be a spot for him.

RB Sione Vaki: One of Detroit’s fourth-round picks this past April and arguably Reynolds’ biggest challenger, the versatile Vaki originally was considered a safety — but the Lions drafted him to play running back, and the early returns have been promising. He runs hard, has good hands and is a natural receiver. We’ll see how he develops in training camp.

RB Zonovan Knight: The Lions added Knight from the New York Jets last season, but he missed 12 games with a torn labrum. The good news: Knight was back in a limited capacity this spring. He’s one to watch when healthy.

RB Jermar Jefferson: With Gibbs out this spring, Jefferson got a ton of work with the second-team offense. It’s kind of remarkable that he continues to stick around. He’s a practice squad candidate, assuming he doesn’t make the team outright.

RB Jake Funk: Lions running backs coach Scottie Montgomery has known Funk for a while. He coached him in college at Maryland and again in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts, before Funk joined the Lions this offseason. Montgomery said he values Funk’s professionalism and views him as a quick study. He could be a nice piece on the practice squad.

WR Amon-Ra St. Brown: Detroit’s WR1 is fresh off a contract extension and more motivated than ever, under the impression he has to live up to that expensive deal. Not that he needed any more fuel — all he did last season was earn first-team All-Pro honors and his second Pro Bowl nod. Expect more of the same.

Catch every moment.

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— Detroit Lions (@Lions) June 13, 2024

WR Jameson Williams: This is a crucial year for Williams. It’s his third season, and he’s finally past the torn ACL and gambling suspension that slowed him his first two years. With Josh Reynolds off to Denver, Williams needs to be ready. The Lions are counting on him.

WR Antoine Green: Speaking of Reynolds’ departure, Williams isn’t the only option to make up for his production. Green, a 2023 seventh-round pick, has good speed and the Lions liked how he developed to end the season. He spent time repping with the first-team offense this spring.

WR Donovan Peoples-Jones: Another candidate to replace Reynolds is Peoples-Jones, whom the Lions traded for at last year’s deadline. With an 800-yard season under his belt (2022 with Cleveland) and the body of an X receiver, Peoples-Jones could be an intriguing fit next to St. Brown and Williams.

WR Kalif Raymond: The ever-reliable Raymond is back, and there might not be a more universally beloved player in the locker room. He contributes on offense and on special teams as a returner. The Lions adore him.

WR Maurice Alexander: The return game could be Alexander’s best shot at a roster spot. He was a standout returner in the USFL before getting a chance with the Lions, and the new kickoff rules could help get him a look.

WR Daurice Fountain: Fountain caught the attention of local media this spring — he was arguably Hooker’s No. 1 target with the second-team offense. He’s trending up.

WR Tre’Quan Smith: The Lions added Smith from the New Orleans Saints this offseason. He has 1,764 career receiving yards under his belt, but it might be hard to earn a roster spot.

WR Tom Kennedy: It was a bit of a quiet spring for Kennedy, but we all know he heats up in the preseason. Expect him to stick around on the practice squad if he doesn’t make the team.

WR Isaiah Williams: A standout at Illinois, Williams joined as a UDFA this spring. At just 5-foot-9 and 182 pounds, Williams’ size puts him at a disadvantage, but he was a productive college player and could factor in as a slot receiver.

WR Kaden Davis: A 2022 UDFA out of Northwest Missouri State, Davis has bounced around a few NFL teams and played for the Michigan Panthers in 2023. With the Lions this spring, he made a handful of acrobatic catches and seemed to have caught Ben Johnson’s attention. We’ll see if he can continue his momentum in training camp.

WR Jalon Calhoun:A smaller receiver with 4.64 speed, Calhoun wasn’t drafted this past April, but the Lions are giving him an opportunity.

TE Sam LaPorta: What does a player who broke the all-time rookie tight end receptions record do for an encore? We’re going to find out. One thing LaPorta has been working on is his route running — specifically, trying to eliminate tells. If it leads to him being even more dynamic, it’ll have been an offseason well spent.

TE Brock Wright: The Lions almost lost Wright to the 49ers this offseason, but ultimately chose to match the restricted free-agent offer San Francisco extended — meaning they will pay Wright $12 million over the next three seasons. He’s a valuable part of the Lions’ blocking scheme.

TE Shane Zylstra: A torn ACL ended Zylstra’s 2023 season before it began, and that was a real shame, because he caught everything thrown his way last training camp. Now healthy and eager to contribute, Zylstra looked good this spring and will compete for a roster spot.

TE James Mitchell: It’s Year 3 for Mitchell, and his NFL resume to date is light. LaPorta and Wright get most of the first-team reps, and Zylstra has picked up right where he left off as a solid receiving option. There’s still time for Mitchell, but he’ll have to carve out a role for himself.

TE Parker Hesse: Another Iowa Hawkeye, Hesse spent last season with the Atlanta Falcons and signed with the Lions as TE depth this spring. It will be hard for him to make the roster.

TE Sean McKeon: Lions fans might know McKeon from his time at Michigan. He entered the league as a UDFA in 2020, then spent his first four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys before joining the Lions this offseason. We’ll see if he’s a camp body or someone who can stick around.

RT Penei Sewell: One of the best players in the league and still only 23 years old, Sewell has an incredibly bright future. He was the last of Detroit’s big three offseason extensions, inking a four-year, $112 million deal. He’s earned every penny, with two Pro Bowl appearances and a first-team All-Pro nod this past season.

Coach Penei @peneisewell58 pic.twitter.com/C2OGJuigYa

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) June 13, 2024

RG Kevin Zeitler: He’s one of the most durable and reliable guards in the league, so the fact that the Lions were able to land Zeitler on a one-year, $6 million deal remains a steal. Welcome to life as a contender, Lions fans. Zeitler will replace former guard Jonah Jackson in the lineup and man right guard.

C Frank Ragnow: After some much-needed time to recover this offseason, Ragnow will be ready to go in 2024. With Jason Kelce now retired, Ragnow might be the game’s best center. He’s a luxury the Lions will never take for granted.

LG Graham Glasgow: In an era when guards are making more money than ever, the Lions were able to re-sign Glasgow to a three-year, $20 million contract. For reference, Jackson signed for an average of $17 million over three years. Glasgow is getting older, but he was productive in 2023 and will be playing between two of his closest friends — Ragnow and Taylor Decker.

LT Taylor Decker: Decker, the longest-tenured Lion, is entering the final year of his contract. It’s unclear what the future holds, but he’s been a steady, above-average tackle in his career. He missed time this spring recovering from foot surgery but will be ready to go for training camp.

G/T Colby Sorsdal: Detroit’s 2023 fifth-round pick had a challenging start to his career, including being forced into action at times. He looked much-improved in spring practices, with the Lions getting him some first-team reps and splitting him between guard and tackle. If he can do that in a reserve role, he’ll likely be one of the first options off the bench.

T Dan Skipper: Big Skip is back, and it looks like he’s Detroit OT3. Even though he’ll get into it in practice from time to time, he’s a guy the Lions like in the locker room. He was solid in his role last year.

G Kayode Awosika: Usually in the mix to start when an interior offensive lineman missed time, Awosika has been a reserve for Detroit each of the past two seasons. His staying power is a testament to the trust the coaching staff has in him, but he’ll have more competition this time around with Sorsdal getting another year under his belt and some rookies added.

G Christian Mahogany: A 2024 sixth-round pick many viewed as a third- or fourth-round talent, Mahogany could be a backup from Day 1. He’s experienced, plays bully ball in the run game and has a chip on his shoulder. Keep an eye on him down the road.

T/G Giovanni Manu: We’ve only spent a few weeks around Manu, but it’s easy to see what the Lions liked when they traded a 2025 third-rounder to add him. He’s massive with long arms, moves well for his size and has an all-business demeanor — think Jack Campbell, but on the offensive line. That’s a good package to start with, and the Lions will try to mold him into their tackle of the future.

C Michael Niese: Niese benefitted the most from Ragnow’s light offseason, serving almost exclusively as the Lions’ No. 1 center this spring. Glasgow likely will be the backup center during the season, but for now, Niese getting valuable reps doesn’t hurt his chances.

T Connor Galvin: Galvin returns for his second season with the Lions after a stint on the practice squad a year ago. He was able to get some quality reps this spring when others missed time and certainly looks the part. I’m curious to see what he looks like when the pads come on.

G Matt Farniok: A 2021 seventh-rounder out of Nebraska, Farniok was signed to the Lions’ practice squad on January 23 and then to a reserve/future contract a week later. He started two games for the Cowboys in 2022 but has mostly bounced around practice squads since then.

G Netane Muti:A 2020 sixth-round pick out of Fresno State by the Denver Broncos, Muti signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions in early February. He spent the 2023 season on the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad.

C/G Kingsley Eguakun: The Florida product was given a fifth-round grade by The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, but he went undrafted this past April. A center in college, Eguakun spent some time at guard during minicamp and OTAs. Perhaps a young, developmental option.

C Bryan Hudson:A center prospect out of Louisville, Hudson could be in the mix for a practice squad spot. He’ll have competition from Niese and other UDFAs the Lions signed, but he held his own in the brief glimpses we saw of him.

C/G Duke Clemens:The last of three UDFA interior linemen the Lions brought in, Clemens got plenty of reps this spring. We won’t know how any of these guys are truly viewed until the pads go on, but the Lions have some pieces they can stash and develop if they so choose.

(Top photo: Scott W. Grau / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)