Which defensive linemen make the final 53?

[Icege]

It's safe to say that Brian Burns, Derrick Brown, Da'Quan Jones, Morgan Fox, Yetur Gross-Matos, and Marquis Haynes are locks. That leaves 3 - 4 spots left in the DL group for the final roster. That's up for grabs between:

Bravvion Roy - 2020 6th Rd pick. Looked pretty good for a 6th round rookie towards the end of last season. Not so much this preseason.

Daviyon Nixon - 2021 5th Rd pick. Has been lining up at DT and DE. Looks like the team is hoping for him to fill Obada's role. Had a great practice vs. the Ravens but hasn't shown up in preseason.

Phil Hoskins - 2021 7th Rd pick. Has impressed in preseason against the 3s, and has shown the same production vs. the 2s. Consistently collapses the pocket and could very well have worked his way on to the final 53.

Christian Miller - 2019 4th Rd pick. Has been getting plenty of preseason snaps where he's shown the ability to get pressures, QB hits, TFLs, etc. Unfortunately, seems to be most effective vs. the run when he's in the backfield already rather than holding up at the point of attack. Could sneak in as a rotational pass rusher that can also drop back into coverage à la Reddick/Luvu.

Kendall Donnerson - One of the four practice squad journeymen competing. Had a sack and had a couple of flashes. Might have done enough to work their way on to the practice squad.

Frank Herron - Has been getting plenty of snaps vs. the 2s & 3s. Has had a few plays here and there.

Caraun Reid - NFL journeyman that was once a 4th round pick iirc. Had an injury issue during the first preseason game.

Walter Palmore - Former Seahawk brought in by Fitterer. Got themselves a penalty in their first action, but later got a couple of pressures.

 

What say you, Huddle? Who else makes the final 53? Who makes the practice squad, if anyone?

Currently, I'm leaning towards Hoskins and Nixon making the 53 with either Roy or Miller also making it or one of the latter two being practice squad bound.

[Seltzer]

Roy, Nixon, and Hoskins make it IMO.  I would like to keep Miller but the emergence of Frankie Luvu leaves him on the outside looking in on the numbers game.  

Think Miller would be a candidate for the PS if he clears waivers (which I doubt).  Honestly don't know enough about the other guys to make a determination one way or the other about the PS, but they're not making the roster.

[Tommy Jone]

8 minutes ago, Seltzer said:

Roy, Nixon, and Hoskins make it IMO.  I would like to keep Miller but the emergence of Frankie Luvu leaves him on the outside looking in on the numbers game.  

Think Miller would be a candidate for the PS if he clears waivers (which I doubt).  Honestly don't know enough about the other guys to make a determination one way or the other about the PS, but they're not making the roster.

I'm with this.  Roy, Nixon, and Hoskins (in that order, even).

[Cdparr7]

DE: Burns, Haynes

DT: Brown, Nixon

DT: Jones, Roy

DE: Fox, Gross-Matos, Miller

Hoskins goes to practice squad

Edited August 23, 2021 by Cdparr7

[Captroop]

17 minutes ago, Cdparr7 said:

DE: Burns, Haynes

DT: Brown, Nixon

DT: Jones, Roy

DE: Fox, Gross-Matos, Miller

Hoskins goes to practice squad

I wouldn't. He's shown enough flashes, and I think enough teams are hurting for D Line help that I'm not sure he'd make it through waivers.

[TheoJay10]

Roy Nixon Hoskins for sure. Anyone else is going to make it based on flexibility and preseason contributions. Hell maybe even someone we like gets cut and we get a nice surprise. 

[Seltzer]

8 minutes ago, Ace420 said:

I would much rather keep Hoskins over Roy or Miller.

Hoskins is a big man who can pressure the qb and I think is big enough to help as a run stopper on running downs. 

I haven't been impressed with Roy this preseason and I agree with OP that we can't keep Miller because he is only a pass rush specialist and is behind Reddick and Luvu who are both much better at OLB.

Hoskins has definitely shown enough to justify a roster spot IMO, and I would take him over Miller. 

Roy deserves another year IMO.  He was developing into a decent run stopper and can play the nose in a 3-4 alignment.  We also need some experience on the line beyond rookies.

I do believe Hoskins has a higher ceiling than Roy though and would not be surprised to see him pass Roy later on.

[Seltzer]

1 hour ago, Captroop said:

I wouldn't. He's shown enough flashes, and I think enough teams are hurting for D Line help that I'm not sure he'd make it through waivers.

I'd be shocked if Hoskins or Miller didn't get claimed... consequence of being much deeper on the DLine than we have been in years.

Maybe Fitterer can work a trade of Miller for another more traditional LB or OLine development prospect

[Seltzer]

Actually saw where someone mentioned trading Miller for a kicker, which is not a bad idea at all