DETROIT – The preseason is over. Cut day is Tuesday. And soon the Detroit Lions roster for 2024 will be ready.

But first a final squad forecast.

This was the hardest roster planning I’ve ever had to do. The Lions are going to part with some good players. That’s what happens when you put together a competitive roster. Difficult decisions ahead, but a good problem to have.

As a reminder, the NFL allows teams to designate two players from injured reserve to return there on the day of release. This would allow teams to place players with long-term injuries who are expected to return near the end of the year on injured reserve without first adding them to the 53-man roster. This rule was proposed by the Lions.

Quarterbacks (3)

Jared Goff, Hendon Hooker, Nate Sudfeld

Notable Cuts: Jake Fromm

It feels like a roster with three quarterbacks is anything but a formality. Dan Campbell explained it pretty well the other day.

“You have to be confident that the guy, whoever it is, can keep the ship afloat,” Campbell said of the backup job. “And what we know about Hooker is that Hooker is a young, developing quarterback and he needs reps and time. I know that. And Nate has the upper hand right now because he’s played more. He’s been around more, he’s seen more, he’s just — and that would tell you you have a good chance of keeping three. Am I saying that’s 100 percent certain right now? No. But that’s what you’re looking at.”

If there’s one new development since the preseason, it’s that Fromm may have worked his way onto the practice squad. Campbell was originally signed as a preseason safety when Hooker was in concussion protocol. He was impressed with Fromm’s knowledge of the offense and even his performance in the final preseason game (6 of 8 for 89 yards in limited playing time). Keep an eye on him.

Running backs (4)

Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Craig Reynolds, Sione Vaki

Notable cuts: Jermar Jefferson, Zonovan Knight

Jefferson had a very strong summer. If he doesn’t make the team, he’ll be one of the tougher sends. Knight has flashed as well. I’m just not sure there’s room on the roster for five running backs. Reynolds and Vaki will play a lot of special teams, which is basically the reason for keeping a fifth anyway. If Jefferson or Knight can stay on the practice squad, the Lions will probably be thrilled.

Wide Receivers (4)

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Caliph Raymond, Isaiah Williams

Notable cuts: Donovan Peoples-Jones, Daurice Fountain, Kaden Davis

This is one of those “trust the process” roster decisions. The Lions will get to five receivers at some point. That could be when the initial 53-man roster is announced, or shortly after. From what I’ve seen, I’m not sure any receiver outside the top three — other than rookie UDFA Isaiah Williams — has done enough to make the roster. He was the most consistent player in the preseason and has been just as reliable behind the scenes in camp. The only argument for him not making the roster is that he’s redundant as a smaller slot receiver/returner with Raymond here. But he’s done enough to earn a spot on a roster anywhere in this league. I can’t say that for anyone else.

The Lions aren’t going to start the season with just four receivers. I really believe the X-receiver the team is looking for is currently on another roster. If they keep a fifth on the original roster, Peoples-Jones is probably the favorite. But I’m not sure he’s done enough, and it probably depends on what’s out there. We’ll see.

Offensive Line (9)

Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, Frank Ragnow, Kevin Zeitler, Penei Sewell, Colby Sorsdal, Dan Skipper, Giovanni Manu, Kayode Awosika

*NFI: Christian Mahogany

Notable editors: Michael Niese, Kingsley Eguakun

The Lions have considered a few different options for one of the final spots on the offensive line, and it appears that it will come down to Awosika, Niese and Eguakun. Niese has gotten plenty of work on the first team offensive line between spring and summer when Ragnow or Zeitler were out. Eguakun was last used this week, but failed the eye test in the team’s closed practice game. Awosika’s experience is the deciding factor here. In this scenario, Niese and Eguakun are not on the practice squad.

Tight Ends (3)

Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, Shane Zylstra

Notable cuts: James Mitchell, Parker Hesse

This position is the most uncertain. There’s a world where the Lions keep four tight ends. There’s a world where they keep three, and one where former fifth-round pick James Mitchell doesn’t make the team. I did that here, but I don’t have a good feeling about it. Mitchell hasn’t been better than the top three tight ends, and even Hesse brings some value as a fullback. I could see him making the team if the front office wants to go through with that development, but it’s certainly a difficult decision. What happens at the safeties could also be a deciding factor.

Defensive Tackle (6)

Alim McNeill, DJ Reader, Levi Onwuzurike, Kyle Peko, Brodric Martin, Mekhi Wingo

Notable Cuts: Chris Smith

I think we’re looking at one of the strongest positions on the team here, folks. I love the depth Detroit has built. McNeill looks ready for a Pro Bowl season. Reader, if healthy, will make others around him better. Onwuzurike has been a man on a mission this offseason. Peko is just a rock-solid veteran who does the dirty work and is the backup nose tackle right now. Martin remains an intriguing development prospect, even if he’s not ready for a regular role yet. Wingo can get lost in the run game at times, but has shown some power as an interior forward. A little bit of everything here.

Smith has received a lot of praise from the coaching staff, which is worth noting. But it would be difficult to keep seven defensive tackles.

Edge (5)

Aidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport, Josh Paschal, James Houston, Mitchell Agude

*IR: John Cominsky

Notable Editing: Isaac Ukwu, Mathieu Betts

A little lighter than you’d like, but the injury to Cominsky changed the picture a bit here. The top three are safe (expect Onwuzurike to play some edge too). Houston is more of a one-trick pony these days as the staff has taken linebacker duties away from SAM, but that one trick is a good one. I’ve got him in, though it can be difficult to figure out what the staff thinks of him. I don’t think they like his freelance tendencies at times. I’m tipping Agude over Ukwu — who had an excellent preseason. It’s a tough decision, but one made because of Campbell’s quote this week.

“I see growth,” Campbell said. “We like Mitch. Mitch is another guy that just works his butt off, he gives it everything he’s got and he’s got some rushing skills. He’s strong, quick on the edge. And look, we made him the SAM linebacker last week, so we kind of made that change. ‘Let’s put him at SAM and put Houston more at D-end.’ So we dropped those two. And it’s not necessarily the perfect position for Mitch, but he’s made the most of it and tried to make it work and that’s to his credit. But he still has enough of it to play the D-end position and really excel at what he does best, so he’s doing a good job. We like Mitch.”

Linebackers (6)

Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin, Ben Niemann

Notable Cuts: Ty Summers

My first roster was five linebackers, but now I’m going with six. Niemann made some defensive plays over the summer and is a valuable special teams player, similar to former Lions linebacker Anthony Pittman. He didn’t play in the finals, which could be a sign he’s in. The rest of the names here definitely are. A well-stocked roster.

Cornerbacks (5)

Carlton Davis III, Terrion Arnold, Amik Robertson, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Khalil Dorsey

*IR: Emmanuel Moseley

Notable cuts: Kindle Vildor, Steven Gilmore

I wouldn’t rule out both Vildor and Dorsey going under 53 – that was an alternative I had here. I like Vildor more than most and think he could make a roster elsewhere. But Dorsey seems like a no-brainer and I needed to get the numbers elsewhere. That would give the Lions five cornerbacks who could play outside if needed. Robertson should be the starting nickel, but remember – Branch can move back in case of injury. Rakestraw could also play in the slot. The depth is there and the hope is Moseley can return at some point in the second half of the season. That would lessen the need for Vildor anyway.

Fuses (5)

Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Ifeatu Melifonwu, Brandon Joseph, CJ Moore

Notable cuts: Loren Strickland

There was a surprise in the security debate on Saturday. Campbell was asked about the status of Melifonwu, who was out for some time last week. His answer was somewhat reserved.

“He’s been out for a while,” Campbell said. “We feel like it’s not long-term yet. It’s still a while away, so I’m not so sure about that. … I don’t know when we’ll get him back or if he’ll even come back, what the timeline is.”

Injuries are nothing new for Melifonwu and may just be a part of the game at this point. Detroit’s projected starting safeties are Branch and Kerby Joseph, with Melifonwu expected to serve as a high-level third safety and a weapon in the sub-package. But if he’s out, that could tempt the Lions to keep five safeties. Brandon Joseph appears to be the next man up if Melifonwu isn’t ready to start the season. CJ Moore is a reliable special teamer, so he would be tough to cut, too.

In this scenario, if the Lions sign a fifth receiver from another team, it could come at the expense of one of those safeties. But for now, both are in.

Specialists (3)

Jack Fox, Jake Bates, Scott Daly

Notable cuts: Hogan Hatten

The only battle here is between Daly and Hatten. I’m on the incumbent’s side, but you don’t usually have long snapper contests in two consecutive years. For me, it’s a coin toss.

(Top photo of James Mitchell: Paul Sancya / AP Photo)