With cut day looming, the Lions still have several roster spots up for grabs -- "five or six," Dan Campbell said this week. Here are nine players with a lot on the line in Saturday's preseason finale against the Steelers. The roster has to be trimmed to 53 by next Tuesday.
QB Hendon Hooker
Hooker isn't playing for a roster spot; the Lions would lose him if they cut him. He is playing for the QB2 job, and last we heard from Dan Campbell, Nate Sudfeld has "the upper hand." That was before Wednesday's scrimmage when Hooker fumbled three times, twice on botched snaps. He appeared to pass Sudfeld with a strong showing in last week's preseason game, but the Lions still feel otherwise. Hooker needs to smooth out the ups and downs in his game for the team to trust him. Saturday is his last big chance to do that before the start of the season.
DE James Houston
Houston's spot on the roster should be safe. His role is still to be determined. The Lions have moved him back to defensive end to harness his pass-rushing skills after a failed run at SAM linebacker, but Houston needs to make more plays to find his way onto the field. Every practice and game that goes by without his presence being felt takes him further from his explosive rookie season. If that player -- 'Da Problem' -- is still in there, the Lions need to see it.
WR Isaiah Williams
The former quarterback at Illinois has a real chance to make the Lions' roster as an undrafted wide receiver. Williams has been Detroit's best receiver in the preseason, and another strong performance Saturday could push him over the top. He lacks the size the Lions are seeking at the position and makes most of his plays in the slot, but Williams can overcome those questions by continuing to come through when his number's called, especially if he makes a couple catches on the outside. He'll certainly have suitors if the Lions cut him loose.
WR Donovan Peoples-Jones
If only the Lions could combine Williams' production with Peoples-Jones' size. Then they'd have the receiver they're looking for behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond. That's what they were hoping for when they re-signed Peoples-Jones and let Josh Reynolds walk, but DPJ just hasn't done enough with his opportunities. He needs to show something against the Steelers to prove he's worthy of the job. The same could be said for Daurice Fountain. Even then, the Lions might turn to the waiver wire or the trade market for WR4.
OL Kingsley Eguakun
Another undrafted free agent rookie, Eguakun felt like a pretty good bet for a roster spot at the start of this week. And he still might be given his flexibility on the interior of the offensive line, which has allowed him to climb the depth chart this summer. But Eguakun was exposed filling in for guard Kevin Zeitler in Wednesday's scrimmage, albeit against the Lions' first-team defense. A bounceback on Saturday would aid his chances ahead of cut day.
“He’s a guy that has certainly caught our eye,” Campbell said this week. “He’s put the work in, he’s pretty polished for a young guy, he’s got good feet, he’s quick, he’s smart, he’s tough."
DE Isaac Ukwu
While the Lions have scaled back Houston's responsibilities, they've increased those of Ukwu, yet another undrafted free agent rookie. Ukwu has grown throughout camp and impressed in the preseason to the point that the Lions are giving him a look at SAM linebacker. He's been disruptive off the edge. After acknowledging the open roster spots this week, Campbell said unprompted, "I just bring up a guy like Ukwu, man."
"When he got in here in the spring, he was last on the depth chart. It was, ‘Well, where can this guy play? He’s not the biggest guy, he’s not really a SAM, is he a defensive end?’ And he’s just steadily gotten better and better and better. He plays much bigger than he is, he plays longer than his length says. Every time we give him an opportunity, he just shows up."
If he does it again Saturday, Ukwu could force the Lions to keep him on the 53.
TE James Mitchell
Rare is the Brad Holmes draft pick who's let go. Of his 29 picks over four years in Detroit, only seventh-rounder Chase Lucas plays elsewhere. And of his 22 picks in the first five rounds, only Mitchell -- a fifth-rounder in 2022 -- feels like he isn't a lock to make this year's roster. The competition at tight end is crowded behind Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright, with Mitchell battling Shane Zylstra and Parker Hesse for potentially one job. The latter two have been more noticeable in camp than Mitchell, who might need to make a statement Saturday to avoid joining Lucas on another roster.
K Jake Bates
Bates is in a battle with himself for the Lions' kicking job. They've given him the chance to win it in the wake of Michael Badgley's season-ending injury, and he feels close. His performance last week against the Chiefs went a long way, but also served as a reminder that Bates isn't a finished product. There will be veteran kickers available over the next couple weeks should the Lions feel they need to stabilize the position. With a clean performance Saturday -- in the stadium where he landed on the Lions' radar -- Bates can confirm that he's their guy.
S C.J. Moore
It sure feels like Brandon Joseph has jumped Moore on the depth chart at safety. Joseph may have already sealed a roster spot with his ball production. That could put Moore on the outs, despite his obvious special teams value. The Lions brought him back after his one-year gambling suspension because he means that much to Dave Fipp's unit, but they have lots of capable special teamers on hand. Moore isn't the roster lock he felt like when camp began, which could shine a spotlight on his performance against the Steelers.