Which Detroit Lions players on the roster bubble have realistic chances to make the roster?
We are still several weeks away from the first round of Pride of Detroit’s Bubble Watch, but that does not mean we have to wait to speculate on some important roster battles.
The sure-fire starters and obvious depth pieces are easy to project, as are the long-shots facing a significant uphill battle. Yet sandwiched between those two extremes are the bubble players, players whose roster spot could come and go at a moment’s notice. These players will be fighting every day to make a good impression and showcase they are worthy of a spot on the Lions’ 53-man roster.
Every year, there are players that make the team that surprised many. Just last year, Michael Niese was a consensus “OUT” in our final Bubble Watch. Not only did he make the initial roster, and not only did he stay on the roster for the entire year, he was active for each and every game of the 2025 season.
Could we see a similar surprise story in 2025?
Today’s Question of the Day is:
Which roster bubble player is your dark horse to make the team?
My answer: Netane Muti.
When news of the Frank Ragnow retirement broke, the immediate reaction was centered around, well, center—who would replace him, and how would the fallout affect the other guard positions? With Graham Glasgow having NFL experience at center and rookie Tate Ratledge getting early looks at center in camp, it seems like that one of those names will win the job come September. That still leaves the left and right guard spots open for business, with Christian Mahogany and rookie Miles Frazier competing with one of Glasgow and Ratledge.
If the Lions run with the likely trio of Glasgow, Ratledge, and Mahogany along the interior, that would leave Frazier in competition for the top reserve spot. Factoring in starting tackles Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker, as well as reserves Dan Skipper and Giovanni Manu, that brings the offensive line up to eight players—not a lot of room for additional depth.
There is room for Kingsley Eguakun or newly-signed Trystan Colon to win a spot as the top reserve center, yet I also think there is ample opportunity for a guard like Muti to stake a claim on the roster. I do not think the Lions want to go into the regular season with the inexperienced Frazier as the top guard backup. Skipper has played guard in a pinch, but it is far from an ideal situation. If they want a veteran, the Lions have two in-house options: Muti and Kayode Awosika.
Both players were on the second-team offensive line in OTAs, with Muti at left guard and Awosika at right, likely indicating a similar level on the depth chart. Awosika has been with the Lions since 2022, that should surely give him the edge over Muti, right?
That long tenure with the Lions is a double-edged sword. While the Lions know what they have in Awosika, it is not overly impressive either. When called upon in the starting lineup, Awosika was consistently the weak link, even when playing next to Pro Bowlers. He started two games for the Lions in 2024, but his three penalties in Week 7 were seemingly enough to tip the scales out of his favor. He returned to backup duties and was, surprisingly, immediately jumped by Mahogany on the depth chart. Awosika was a frequent inactive from then onward.
Muti is an unknown, which is itself enticing and concerning. However, the noise out of Allen Park surrounding Muti has been promising. He is back to full health after missing all of 2024 with a training camp shoulder injury. He was making strides prior to his injury, and from coaches and players singing his praise, you’d be hard pressed not to view him as a real threat for a roster spot. He brings the road grading run blocking that the Lions love, and that could be his avenue to the reserve lineup.
Which roster bubble players could surprise us in 2025? Let us know in the comments below.
