In the week since CBSSports.com RapidReports released its first Lions roster projection, the team has added a trio of new players. Detroit claimed G Bill Nagy and DT Bobby Skinner off waviers, and signed free agent CB Isaac Madison. They replace CBs Drew Coleman and Don Carey and TE Nathan Overbay, who were waived/injured.
The roster changes haven't changed the projections much, but the play of some reserve players have broadened the roster conversation. Here's our second attempt at projecting which players in camp will still be in Detroit's locker room come Week 1:
QB -- In: (2) Matthew Stafford, Shaun Hill. Out: Kellen Moore, R.J. Archer. Analysis: Moore played better in Detroit's second preseason game, going 10 for 15 passing for 96 yards. Despite his improvement, he's still not valuable enough to warrant a roster spot on a team that didn't dress a third QB once last season. Archer has yet to throw a pass in game action. He's a “camp arm” player whose job is to reduce the workload of Detroit's other QBs.
RB -- In: (4) Kevin Smith, Keiland Williams, Stefan Logan, Joique Bell. Out: Stephfon Green, James Bryant (FB). PUP: Jahvid Best. Suspended: Mikel Leshoure. Analysis: The RB projection remains the same despite Logan's ankle injury and Leshoure's return to pratice. Leshoure's suspension creates a need for an additional RB on the roster, and Logan is expected to be healthy for the regular season. Green ran for a late TD against the Steelers in Detroit's second preseason game, but it's not enough to earn him a roster place.
WR -- In: (6) Ryan Broyles, Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, Dominique Curry, Titus Young, Patrick Edwards. Out: Maurice Stovall, Jarrett Dillard, Nate Hughes, Lance Long, Wallace Miles, Terrence Toliver. Analysis: Special teams contributions will likely decide who wins the final WR roster spots, and Curry has taken more reps on kick teams with every practice. Hughes' stock is improving, and a run of solid practices has him in the roster conversation. If he continues to impress, there could be another change to this projection after the third preseason game.
TE -- In (3): Brandon Pettigrew, Will Heller, Tony Scheffler. Out: Austin Wells, Alex Gottlieb. Analysis: There's still no competition here. The departure of Nathan Overbay is the only change to the unit.
OL -- In: (9) Dominic Raiola, Stephen Peterman, Rob Sims, Jeff Backus, Gosder Cherilus, Riley Reiff, Dylan Gandy, Corey Hilliard, Jason Fox. Out: Dan Gerberry, Pat Boyle, Jacques McClendon, J. C. Oram, Jonathan Scott, Rodney Austin. Injured: Bill Nagy Analysis: Detroit claimed Nagy off waivers, but he's still rehabbing his injured ankle. There's no way to evaluate his value until he practices. Austin has seen his reps increase, and is an outside candidate for a roster spot. If his role increases against Oakland Saturday, he could work his way on to the good side of the roster bubble.
DL -- In: (9) Cliff Avril, Lawrence Jackson, Ronnell Lewis, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Willie Young, Nick Fairley, Sammie Hill, Ndamukong Suh, Corey Williams. Out: Bobby Skinner, Everette Brown, Ugo Chinasa, Edmon McClam, Andre Fluellen, Tracy Robertson. Analysis: The only reason this projection will change is if the injury to Hill is long-term. Skinner was acquired to add depth to the roster during camp, but he's still unlikely to earn a roster spot.
LB -- In: (7) Justin Durant, Stephen Tulloch, DeAndre Levy, Travis Lewis, Ashlee Palmer, Tahir Whitehead, Doug Hogue. Out: Carmen Messina, Slade Norris. Analysis: There's no change to this position group, but that could change if Lewis' quad injury lingers. If that happens, look for Messina to make a push for a roster place.
DB -- In: (10) Bill Bentley, Chris Houston, Justin Miller, Jacob Lacey, Alphonso Smith, Erik Coleman, Louis Delmas, Ricardo Silva, Amari Spievey, John Wendling. Out: Jonte Green, Ross Weaver, Sean Jones, Reshard Langford, Isaac Madison. PUP: Chris Greenwood. Analysis: Green's lackluster performances have seen him slide down the depth chart, while Miller's strong play and special teams contributions have helped his stock rise. If this projection proves correct, Green is a good practice squad candidate.
Special teams -- In: (3) Jason Hanson, Ryan Donahue., Don Muhlbach. Out: Derek Dimke, Ben Graham. Analysis: Both Donahue and Graham bring positives to the punting competition. Graham's end-over-end kicks are difficult for return men to field cleanly, but he sometimes badly outkicks his coverage. Donahue struggles with distance consistency, but his hang time gives Detroit's gunners a better chance in pursuit. The biggest indication that Donahue is closer to winning the job is that he's been holding for Hanson.
Follow Lions reporter John Kreger on Twitter at @CBSSportsNFLDET and @JohnKreger.
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