The NFL Draft is a team’s best opportunity to add talent. However, the drafting of said talent could also throw a few roster spots into jeopardy.
At this time of year, projecting the depth chart for Week 1 is a nigh impossible task, but once you factor in the obvious starters and sure-fire depth pieces of the Detroit Lions, you can start to visualize which players could be at risk come training camp. Some of these backups may be favorites for a roster spot now, but with the draft less than a week away, we could see some names moved onto the roster bubble.
Today’s Question of the Day is:
Which bubble player could lose their roster spot after the draft?
My answer: Dan Skipper.
Skipper has been a staple of the Lions depth chart for many years, and he has grown himself a cult-like following in the community. However, the draft could threaten his roster spot.
Skipper started three games for the Lions last year in relief of Taylor Decker to middling results, earning himself PFF grades of 58.7, 53.3, and 58.4 in those starts. He has provided value as a sixth offensive lineman, but that type of production is, frankly, easily replaceable (though you would be hard pressed to find an offensive lineman with an 8-yard touchdown catch and run on his resume). At this point in his career, he is a low-ceiling veteran with a fairly low floor as well.
The Lions have multiple tackle options even before the draft. The hope is that Giovanni Manu usurps his spot as OT5 in 2025, and while Manu is still a raw prospect, it could be a great starting point for him to develop into a potential starting tackle. Colby Sorsdal is in a similar boat, having come from a small school with minimal pedigree. 2024 was his first professional season at tackle, so while his development is a bit further behind than many would have hoped, he still has time and talent to grow. If the Lions are looking for a backup tackle with a higher ceiling, they already have two in-house options. Elsewhere, if the Lions want a veteran, they re-signed Jamarco Jones—he could easily challenge Skipper for a roster spot.
If Detroit opts to add an offensive lineman or two in the NFL Draft, there could be a number crunch up front. Three players are locked-in as starters: Penei Sewell, Taylor Decker, and Frank Ragnow. At least one of Christian Mahogany and Graham Glasgow will be a starting guard, and both will surely make the roster. Manu is likely safe given his draft status—he was always viewed as a long-term project. Assuming the Lions keep at least two depth interior linemen, that brings the number of “IN” linemen to eight, not even counting Skipper, Sorsdal, or Jones. The expectation is that the Lions will select a guard/center in the upcoming draft, but the team still values depth pieces like Kayode Awosika, Michael Niese, Netane Muti, and Kingsley Eguakun—they could very well keep a few of these names plus a rookie. If the Lions add a rookie tackle as well, it could be a logjam along the offensive line.
Last season, the Lions shuffled between 10 and 11 offensive linemen on their roster (more than the average NFL team), but they typically had three of them inactive on game day. If you add a few rookies to the mix, it will be difficult to keep all of the names from last year’s roster. If Skipper wants to make the team, he needs to not only outperform his tackle competition, but his offensive line competition in general.
Which bubble players could be at risk come draft day? Let us know in the comments below.
