On the list: Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Ben Niemann
Missing parts: Mitchell Ajodi, Abraham Boplan, Joel Eyegbonoye, Ty Summers
Twenty years old: Nothing really surprising here. This has been the most stable group throughout the preseason and into camp. We expect great seasons from Campbell and Barnes, who has really settled into the starting SAM role. Niemann is a great special teams player. This group is the heartbeat of the Lions defense.
On the list: Carlton Davis III, Tyrion Arnold, Amick Robertson, Ennis Rackstraw Jr., Kendall Feldor, Khalil Dorsey, Brian Branch, Kirby Joseph, Ifeto Melifonwu, Brandon Joseph, Lauren Strickland
Reserve/Injured: CB Emmanuel Mosley
Missing parts: CJ Moore, Stephen Gilmore, Esang Bassey, Javelyn Guidry, Chelin Garnis, Rashad Wildgoose
Twenty years old: The Lions have done a great job here with all the new faces in the room and some changes to the scheme in place for Aaron Glenn’s defensive line. Detroit has completely revamped the cornerback room this offseason including moving Branch from cornerback to safety. This group is much more talented than last year’s unit coming out of camp and is much deeper as well. Strickland, an unranked rookie safety, made the cut as the Lions kept five safeties on the roster with Melifonwu dealing with an injury that has no timeline yet. This has the potential to be the most improved position group on the entire roster.
On the list: Jake Betts (C), Jack Fox (B), Hogan Hatten (LS)
Missing parts: Scott Daly (LS)
Twenty years old: Pitts had a bit of a rocky start to camp, but he settled into the kicking role well by the end of camp and was good in preseason games. His big legs give Campbell more options in the middle of the football field. Fox is one of the best kickers in the league. The Lions selected Hatten, who is more versatile at long-linebacker. He can play some midfield roles in tight situations and provide more of a cover man in kick coverage.
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