Lions evaluate quarterback, wide receiver depth as roster cut deadline approaches

Detroit head coach Dan Campbell said the team’s wide-receiver group is the deepest he has seen during his tenure, noting that each player has shown flashes of strong play. With the roster cutdown day less than two weeks away, the Lions are assessing several offensive positions.

At quarterback, the Lions are expected to keep veteran Jared Goff as the starter. Backup competition between Josh Dobbs, who received nine "in" votes from staff, and rookie Luke Altmyer, who received three, remains tight after both performed well in the preseason opener.

Running back Sione Vaki returned from injury and is projected to retain his spot, while Jacob Saylors and Jabari Small continue to battle for the fourth running-back role. Coach Campbell described the contest as "neck-and-neck" and indicated that performance could shift the depth chart quickly.

The wide-receiver depth chart includes assumed starters Amon-Ra Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa and Greg Dortch. Cedrick Wilson Jr. moved up with eight "in" votes, and special-teams contributor Tay Martin earned four votes after receiving a shout-out from Campbell for his versatility. Dominic Lovett’s vote total fell to three after a game with drops and a muffed punt.

Tight end Tyler Conklin secured eleven "in" votes, while Jackson Meeks saw his support decline, suggesting he may be the final tight end on the roster. Offensive tackle depth remains unchanged, with Penei Sewell, Blake Miller and Larry Borom assumed to stay on the roster.

On the interior line, backup center Seth McLaughlin received eleven votes after Cade Mays was placed on injured reserve, positioning him behind presumed starter Juice Scruggs. The staff plans to keep the same nine interior linemen currently listed.

Overall, the Lions’ staff is monitoring performance and health across the offensive unit as they finalize the roster before the league-mandated cutdown.