Lions 53-man roster projection: Who's in, out after preseason finale?

The Detroit Lions' preseason slate has come and gone.

Here's our final shot at projecting how the 53-man roster will look when final cuts are announced on Sunday, Aug. 30, at 6 p.m., following the team's 25-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.

▶ In: Jared Goff, Josh Dobbs

▶ Out: Luke Altmyer

Dobbs hadn't done much to impress prior to Saturday's game against Indianapolis, but he made a whale of a final impression against the Colts, completing 15 of 19 passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns. After keeping Altmyer over the veteran in recent projections, the choice became clear in Saturday's win.

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▶ In: Isiah Pacheco, Jacob Saylors, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sione Vaki

▶ Out: Jabari Small, Roydell Williams, Trayveon Williams

With no real clarity on the immediate outlook for Pacheco, we're keeping him on the roster, but he's certainly a candidate to be given one of the team's two IR-to-return designations. Vaki's ability on special teams makes him a lock, and Saylors has been the best depth back throughout training camp and the preseason, finishing strong on Saturday with 17 carries for 100 yards.

▶ In: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Greg Dortch, Isaac TeSlaa, Tom Kennedy

▶ Out: Dominic Lovett, Lucky Jackson, Malik Cunningham, Tarik Black, Tay Martin

I really struggled with the fifth receiver on Detroit's roster. I have typically left Kennedy off because I think they can easily get him back on the practice squad and elevate/sign him as needed. But he's probably the most reliable receiver left in the group after Cedrick Wilson Jr. suffered a knee injury last week, and Kennedy can contribute in the return game.

But it also wouldn't shock me if somebody else took the fifth spot. Jackson would be the hot name after catching four passes for 94 yards against the Colts; Martin (four catches, 16 yards, one touchdown) has also drawn rave reviews from Campbell for his ability to contribute in a variety of ways, including on special teams.

▶ In: Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Tyler Conklin

▶ Out: Jackson Meeks, Thomas Gordon, Zach Horton

I really wanted to find a way to get Meeks on the roster. He had an impressive preseason after transitioning to the position, proving himself a reliable target in the passing game. But with all three of the top tight ends healthy, I couldn't find a place for him.

More: Jackson Meeks a pivotal piece in Lions' preseason win over Commanders

▶ In: Blake Miller, Penei Sewell, Larry Borom, Christian Mahogany, Tate Ratledge, Ben Bartch, Miles Frazier, Juice Scruggs

▶ Out: Mason Miller, Melvin Priestly, Michael Niese, Gus Hartwig, Colby Sorsdal, Devin Cochran, Seth McLaughlin

▶ IR to return: Cade Mays

▶ Stays on Non-Football Injury (NFI) list: Giovanni Manu

McLaughlin was my only tough decision. The Lions are one injury to Scruggs away from having to put Ratledge at center, which is something I think they — and Ratledge — would like to avoid. But we haven't seen McLaughlin at practice lately because of a concussion, and he didn't play in the preseason finale. Given concerns about McLaughlin's size, I think there's a chance the Lions could look elsewhere for their backup center as teams make cuts around the league.

▶ In: Aidan Hutchinson, DJ Wonnum, Derrick Moore, Ahmed Hassanein, Tyler Lacy, Alim McNeill, Chris Smith, Levi Onwuzurike, Skyler Gill-Howard, Tyleik Williams, Ben Stille

▶ Out: Anthony Lucas, Eric O'Neill, Mekhi Wingo, Myles Adams, Tyre West

Campbell essentially said early in the week that there is an abundance of bubble players on the defensive line who he could see making this roster, so why not lean into it? It's one of the best positions to have great depth at, considering they can all contribute in a rotation.

▶ In: Jack Campbell, Devin White, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Trevor Nowaske, Joe Bachie

▶ Out: Amen Ogbongbemiga, Erick Hunter, Troy Reeder

▶ IR to return: Jimmy Rolder

Rolder could certainly avoid injured reserve to start the season. Campbell said previously he could potentially see him practicing sooner rather than later. But hamstring injuries can be a bugger, and the Lions won't be rushing a rookie linebacker onto the field after he missed all of training camp. This feels like a way to get an extra guy on the roster, unless Detroit ultimately decides to use its second IR-to-return spot on Pacheco.

▶ In: D.J. Reed, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Rock Ya-Sin, Keith Abney II, Khalil Dorsey, Nick Whiteside, Roger McCreary, Christian Izien

▶ Out: Aamaris Brown, Bump Cooper Jr., Ekow Boye-Doe, Eric Scott Jr.

This might be too many cornerbacks, but Izien's status for Week 1 is up in the air, and a number of these guys have gotten reps at the shorthanded safety position. If I had to pick players who could potentially be on the chopping block, I'd pick Whiteside, whose camp performance trailed off as time went on, and McCreary, who's had his fair share of ups and downs.

▶ In: Avonte Maddox, Chuck Clark, Thomas Harper

▶ Out: Dan Jackson, Jason Taylor II

▶ Stays on Physically Unable to Perform (PUP): Kerby Joseph, Brian Branch

We'll find out shortly if Branch and/or Joseph are going to be forced to miss the first four games of the season, but given that they haven't practiced, we're going to bet on them starting the season on PUP. Maddox, Clark and Harper are the clear front-runners to win jobs, with Clark and Maddox looking like your starting duo to begin the season.

▶ In: Kicker Jake Bates, punter Jack Fox, long snapper Hogan Hatten

▶ Out: None

Bates missed a pair of extra points in the team's win over the Colts, but has generally been reliable during the regular season. All three of these players are locks.

nbianchi@detroitnews.com

@nolanbianchi

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Lions 53-man roster projection: Who's in, out after preseason finale?