We have finally made it, starting today there will be a Detroit Lions game on our TVs every week (Other than the bye week) until at least January. While most of the starters are set for this team, there are some spots on the roster that players will be competing for in this game. The biggest question heading into this game is who will make it as the depth pieces, so let’s count down the top players who can show out this game in an attempt to make the roster.
One- Starling Thomas V, Cornerback
Since the start of camp, the undrafted free agent has been turning heads with his play. He was extremely underlooked during the draft process since he missed the 2020 season with a knee injury, even though during his time with UAB he was a lockdown corner. Already he has shown that it was the right choice for the Lions to take a risk on him after the draft, so much so Detroit Listed him as a second-string corner on the team’s first unofficial depth chart. If Thomas shows in this game what he has been showing in camp, he has an extremely good chance at making the roster.
Two- Dylan Drummond, Wide Reciever
Even before training camp started, Drummond was drawing some hype from fans and media. Though some of that hype may have been due to the fact he played college football at Eastern Michigan, he has shown that the hype wasn’t unwarranted. Out of every player in camp, including starters, Drummond has been one of the most impressive players on the field. Since he was placed as a third-stringer on the first unofficial depth chart, he is destined to see a lot of playing time during pre-season to prove that he is worthy of a roster spot over players like Trinity Benson.
Three- Brodric Martin, Defensive Tackle
The number one thing the Lions were missing last year was interior run defense, so they aggressively attempted to trade up into the third round to acquire Martin. So far in training camp, Martin has shown to be what we expected him to be, not a great pass rusher but a fantastic run stuffer. Even with this addition the Lions still don’t know who will be starting alongside Alim McNeil, and who will be depth pieces. In this game, we could see Brodric Martin emerge as the other starting defensive tackle or at least be a good backup for run-defense situations.
Four- Brian Branch, Defensive Back
Brian Branch has been arguably a top-three player throughout Detroit’s camp. It feels like every highlight coming out from camp is a clip of Brian Branch locking up a different receiver. His tape from Alabama showed top-20 pick-worthy talent, but because he ran a bad 40-yard dash teams let him fall all the way down to the middle of the second round. So while there’s not much to prove, Brian Branch could show to be an instant starter for the Lions if he keeps up what he’s been doing in camp.
Five- Lions’ Kicker Battle
While yes this isn’t one single player, this may be the most interesting and important position battle on this team heading into the regular season. On one hand, you have Riley Patterson, who the Lions traded a late-round pick for, and who also had a pretty good season with Jacksonville last year. Then, on the other hand, you have Parker Romo who is a kicker the Lions signed out of the XFL, and he has been outperforming Patterson throughout training camp. These upcoming games could be the determining factor for who makes the roster and who gets cut.
