Lions' 53-man roster full of surprises
Allen Park – The Detroit Lions’ final roster is full of surprises.
The team kept six linebackers, but not 2016 fifth-round draft pick Antwione Williams, who entered the offseason the leading option to start at strong side linebacker.
The logjam at cornerback, where seven were worthy of jobs, was cleared up when the Lions sent special teams standout Johnson Bademosi to the New England Patriots in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick.
Tion Green’s electric preseason finale -- which included a 74-yard touchdown on a screen pass -- was enough of an exclamation point that Detroit will carry five running backs into Week 1.
Two other undrafted rookies made it at defensive end, where Alex Barrett and Jeremiah Valoaga edged out seventh-round pick Pat O’Connor for jobs.
And popular slot option Jace Billingsley was edged out by Jared Abbrederis, a more-versatile veteran, after both failed to impress in the preseason finale on Friday.
In total, the Lions cut 22 players Saturday afternoon. The team also officially moved defensive tackle Khyri Thornton and defensive end Armonty Bryant to the suspended list, punter Sam Martin (ankle) to the non-football injury list and offensive tackle Taylor Decker (shoulder) to the physically unable to perform list.
Decker and Martin aren’t eligible to return to the lineup until Week 7, at the earliest.
More: Rogers: Preseason pays off for many Lions on cut day
On offense, the Lions kept two quarterbacks, five running backs, five receivers, three tight ends and nine offensive linemen.
On defense, nine defensive linemen, six linebackers, six cornerbacks and five safeties made the squad.
All waived players will be on waivers until noon on Sunday. Waiver claims will be awarded based on last season’s record. After the claiming window expires, teams can begin to assemble their 10-man practice squads.
Here’s a full breakdown of the final roster:
QUARTERBACKS:
In: Matthew Stafford, Jake Rudock
Out: Brad Kaaya
RUNNING BACKS:
In: Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, Zach Zenner, Dwayne Washington, Tion Green
Out: Matt Asiata
WIDE RECEIVERS:
In: Marvin Jones, Golden Tate, TJ Jones, Kenny Golladay, Jared Abbrederis
Out: Jace Billingsley, Michael Rector, Dontez Ford, Noel Thomas
TIGHT ENDS:
In: Eric Ebron, Darren Fells, Michael Roberts
Out: Cole Wick, Khari Lee, Robert Tonyan, Scott Orndoff
OFFENSIVE LINE:
In: Greg Robinson, Graham Glasgow, Travis Swanson, T.J. Lang, Rick Wagner, Cornelius Lucas, Corey Robinson, Brandon Thomas, Joe Dahl
Out: Leo Koloamatangi, Storm Norton, Nick Becton,
DEFENSIVE LINE:
In: Ziggy Ansah, Cornelius Washington, Anthony Zettel, Jeremiah Valoaga, Alex Barrett, Haloti Ngata, A’Shawn Robinson, Akeem Spence, Jeremiah Ledbetter
Out: Ego Ferguson, Pat O’Connor, Caushaud Lyons, Derrick Lott
LINEBACKERS:
In: Jarrad Davis, Tahir Whitehead, Paul Worrilow, Steve Longa, Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Nick Bellore
Out: Antwione Williams, Thurston Armbrister
CORNERBACKS:
In: Darius Slay, Nevin Lawson, Quandre Diggs, D.J. Hayden, Jamal Agnew, Teez Tabor
Out: Johnson Bademosi (traded), Adairius Barnes, Josh Thornton
SAFETIES:
In: Glover Quin, Tavon Wilson, Miles Killebrew, Don Carey, Charles Washington
Out: Alex Carter, Roland Milligan
MORE COVERAGE
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Extended playing time not a negative for Lions' Williams, Bademosi