5 Dark Horse Candidates to Make Detroit Lions' 53-Man Roster

5 Dark Horse Candidates to Make Detroit Lions' 53-Man Roster

By Dan Kasper

July 10, 2015

5 Dark Horse Candidates to Make Detroit Lions' 53-Man Roster

Lions Helmet 070915 — Every training camp and preseason, there are some players across the NFL that nobody gives a chance to fulfill their dreams of making an NFL team. There are the few though that end up impressing teams so much, they defeat the odds and make the team.

The Lions are one of those teams that have some players who could defeat those long odds of making the roster. Here are the top 5 dark horse candidates who could make the roster.

Every training camp and preseason, there are some players across the NFL that nobody gives a chance to fulfill their dreams of making an NFL team. There are the few though that end up impressing teams so much, they defeat the odds and make the team.

The Lions are one of those teams that have some players who could defeat those long odds of making the roster. Here are the top 5 dark horse candidates who could make the roster.

5. Zach Zenner

zach zenner 070915

5. Zach Zenner

zach zenner 070915 — When Zach Zenner was looking for a team to sign with after going undrafted, he wanted to go to a team that would give him a fair shot. The Lions will do that and Zenner may have a shot to make a team that is desperately looking to improve their running game. Zenner is a big and fast runner who can also catch the ball out of the backfield. Don’t overlook this small college player, as Zenner has a real shot to crack the roster.

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When Zach Zenner was looking for a team to sign with after going undrafted, he wanted to go to a team that would give him a fair shot. The Lions will do that and Zenner may have a shot to make a team that is desperately looking to improve their running game. Zenner is a big and fast runner who can also catch the ball out of the backfield. Don’t overlook this small college player, as Zenner has a real shot to crack the roster.

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4. Andrew Peacock

Andrew Peacock 070915

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4. Andrew Peacock

Andrew Peacock 070915 — Andrew Peacock spent his first NFL season on the Lions' practice squad last year, but has a real shot to make the team this year. He has great hands and is a solid route runner. From some accounts, Peacock has really impressed the team in minicamp and OTAs so far. The Lions are set with Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, but after that it could be up in the air. Peacock might be an option at the slot position for the Lions.

Andrew Peacock spent his first NFL season on the Lions' practice squad last year, but has a real shot to make the team this year. He has great hands and is a solid route runner. From some accounts, Peacock has really impressed the team in minicamp and OTAs so far. The Lions are set with Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, but after that it could be up in the air. Peacock might be an option at the slot position for the Lions.

3. Corey Robinson

corey robinson 070915

3. Corey Robinson

corey robinson 070915 — The Lions need to improve at the offensive line and they may have gotten some good depth when they drafted Corey Robinson in the seventh round. Robinson is huge and possess some very long arms. He’s a player who has gotten better every year in college. Robinson still needs to improve in some areas to have a long career in the NFL, but for a team looking to get better at the offensive line, Robinson might be too intriguing to cut.

The Lions need to improve at the offensive line and they may have gotten some good depth when they drafted Corey Robinson in the seventh round. Robinson is huge and possess some very long arms. He’s a player who has gotten better every year in college. Robinson still needs to improve in some areas to have a long career in the NFL, but for a team looking to get better at the offensive line, Robinson might be too intriguing to cut.

2. Quandre Diggs

Quandre Diggs 070915

2. Quandre Diggs

Quandre Diggs 070915 — The Lions' secondary took a big jump in improvement last year, but they still have some questions with their cornerback depth. To provide some competition within the secondary, the Lions drafted Quandre Diggs in the sixth round. Diggs is smaller, standing only at 5-foot-9, but he is a very smart player with great instincts and isn't afraid to be physical. Diggs could make this team as a slot corner.

The Lions' secondary took a big jump in improvement last year, but they still have some questions with their cornerback depth. To provide some competition within the secondary, the Lions drafted Quandre Diggs in the sixth round. Diggs is smaller, standing only at 5-foot-9, but he is a very smart player with great instincts and isn't afraid to be physical. Diggs could make this team as a slot corner.

1. Isaiah Johnson

Isaiah Johnson 070915

1. Isaiah Johnson

Isaiah Johnson 070915 — Isaiah Johnson is an intriguing option for the Lions. He is Georgia Tech’s all-time leader in tackles and has the ideal size to be a physical safety in the NFL. Johnson does struggle in coverage and will need to improve that area to make it to the NFL. He is an intelligent player who obviously isn’t afraid to hit somebody. Johnson has been impressing the coaches in the offseason and is one of those undrafted rookies to watch.

Isaiah Johnson is an intriguing option for the Lions. He is Georgia Tech’s all-time leader in tackles and has the ideal size to be a physical safety in the NFL. Johnson does struggle in coverage and will need to improve that area to make it to the NFL. He is an intelligent player who obviously isn’t afraid to hit somebody. Johnson has been impressing the coaches in the offseason and is one of those undrafted rookies to watch.

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