Roster cuts are approaching, and not every Lion has done enough to secure a spot. These four players are running out of time to prove they belong on Detroit’s 53-man roster.
Through training camp and the first preseason game, some players are making a name for themselves, while others are slowly looking like they could be on their way out the door.
With the preseason winding down and only a handful of training camp practices remaining, these four players will need to step up if they want to secure a spot on the Detroit Lions’ 53-man roster.
Michael Niese
Niese is currently listed as the backup center behind Cade Mays on the Lions’ unofficial depth chart. However, his performance against the Cincinnati Bengals left plenty to be desired.
Niese had two bad snaps that resulted in fumbles, creating concerns about his consistency at one of the most important positions on the offensive line.
Niese could benefit from Mays’ wrist injury, which is expected to keep him out for an extended period, but he still has plenty of work to do to solidify his roster spot. Seth McLaughlin is also competing for playing time and will be looking to make the most of his opportunities.
Miles Frazier
Frazier, a 2025 fifth-round pick, has struggled at times to establish himself on the offensive line. His first preseason game of the year didn’t help his case, as he was flagged for two holding penalties.
Frazier currently sits behind Juice Scruggs and Christian Mahogany at the left guard competition making his path to the 53-man roster increasingly difficult.
He’ll need to make a strong impression during the final preseason game and remaining practices if he wants to change the current trajectory. Right now, Frazier looks like one of the players on the outside looking in.
Tom Kennedy
There’s nothing inherently wrong with Tom Kennedy. He’s one of the hardest-working players on the Lions and has developed a reputation for being able to contribute in several different areas.
The problem is that Kennedy does a lot of things well without necessarily having one elite trait that separates him from the competition.
Detroit already knows what Kennedy brings to the table, and with several younger receivers competing for roster spots, the Lions could decide to move in a different direction.
Kennedy currently sits behind several receivers on the unofficial depth chart, including Amon-Ra St. Brown and Greg Dortch in the slot. He’ll need to make some big plays over the final stretch of the preseason to keep his roster hopes alive.
Dan Jackson
Jackson was a 2025 seventh-round pick out of Georgia who missed his entire rookie season. Unfortunately for him, Detroit has a crowded safety room with several players the coaching staff appears to like.
Players such as Chuck Clark, Avonte Maddox and Thomas Harper are currently ahead of Jackson on the unofficial depth chart. Eventually, Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph are also expected to return, making the competition even tougher.
Jackson played just 24 snaps in the Lions’ preseason opener and received a 55.8 PFF grade. With Detroit potentially having limited room for an extra safety, Jackson will need to make a strong impression quickly.
With time running out, these players need to make the most of their remaining practices and preseason opportunities. Otherwise, they could find themselves on the wrong side of the roster bubble when Detroit makes its final cuts.
