Training camp is where expectations either come true or fall flat.
Each year, questions arise about which players will and will not make the initial 53-man roster. The 2025 Detroit Lions are no exception. Though the team has a fair share of roster locks, there are plenty of names on the proverbial bubble whose stock will rise and fall as the season approaches. As our Bubble Watch series highlights, there are many players that are complete longshots—either due to performance or a stacked depth chart
ahead of them, we do not see them making the 53. Similarly, there are players that we deem as unanimous inclusions.
Yet these unanimous votes of confidence mere opinions from us with no direct involvement in the Lions’ plans or insight. In 2024, 91 percent of our staff thought Shane Zylstra would make the roster, yet he missed the final cut, forced the linger on the practice squad until November. On defense, everyone thought Kyle Peko would make the 53, yet he too was released. However, this was more of a technicality, as his veteran status made him a no-risk cut and practice squad signee in order to navigate some early-season injuries. He made the 53-man roster in spirit—did this make our Bubble Watch right or wrong? You be the judge.
As training camp rolls along, which names viewed as safe could fall out of favor come cut down day?
Today’s Question of the Day is:
Which Detroit Lions player could be a surprise cut in 2025?
My answer: Ahmed Hassanein.
Hassanein is a fascinating developmental project, but that may not suffice when it comes to making the initial roster. Back in 2022, the Lions waived a similarly raw pass rusher with high upside in the form of James Houston, and Hassanein could follow a similar trajectory if he gets outshined in training camp.
Though the top-end talent for the Lions defensive line is questionable aside from Aidan Hutchinson, they do have a competitive stable of linemen rounding out the depth chart. Hassanein is directly competing with the likes of Mitchell Agude, Nate Lynn, Al-Quadin Muhammad, Isaac Ukwu, and undrafted rookie Keith Cooper Jr. for potentially two roster spots. Hassanein and Muhammad likely have the initial edge, but each of the remaining names on that list have had positive moments in training camp—their stock could get further boosted with strong preseason performances. If the Lions add a late free agent pass rusher like Za’Darius Smith or Matthew Judon, that would further muddy the water.
The easiest solution would be to keep an additional pass rusher, but it would have to come at the cost of a different position. Would that result in one less offensive lineman, such as Kingsley Eguakun or Kayode Awosika? Could a linebacker like Zach Cunningham or Trevor Nowaske miss the cut as a result of keeping an extra edge? How about secondary help like Rock Ya-Sin or Morice Norris? Each of these positions face similarly difficult questions as edge when it comes to the numbers game.
Are there any surprise names that could miss the cut in 2025? Let us know in the comments below.
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