And with that, the preseason is over for the Detroit Lions, and decisions must be made.Cutdown day is set for Sunday at 6 p.m. ET. The Lions have until then to finalize their initial 53-man roster. It’s never an easy time for coaches around the league, but it’s the nature of the business.Which players helped their case versus the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday? Who did enough to earn a spot on our projected roster? Let’s discuss.Quarterbacks (2)Starter: Jared GoffReserve: Joshua DobbsCut: Luke AltmyerJosh Dobbs won this battle Saturday, in my opinion. He had an excellent performance, finishing 15 of 19 for 128 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 129.8. He was poised, handled some rough snaps from emergency center Mason Miller and outshined Altmyer. Great effort from Dobbs after some costly mistakes last week. He was always going to bring experience on the sideline, but he played within the structure of the offense and settled down. He should be the guy here.Top Plays from Lions @ ColtsRunning backs (4)Starter: Jahmyr GibbsReserves: Isiah Pacheco, Sione Vaki, Jacob SaylorsCut: Jabari Small, Trayveon Williams, Roydell WilliamsAdmittedly, this is a tough one. I believe the Lions will look to add a free-agent RB or scour the waiver wire for one. Pacheco is dealing with a back injury in addition to a sprained MCL. Coach Dan Campbell doesn’t know if he’ll be ready for Week 1. Vaki is still developing as a running back and has a history of injuries. Saylors has looked great this preseason. I’d give him a shot to be RB2 if Pacheco isn’t ready and the Lions don’t want to add from the outside.Wide receivers (5)Starters: Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaaReserves: Greg Dortch, Tay MartinCut: Dominic Lovett, Tarik Black, Malik Cunningham, Tom Kennedy, Lucky JacksonNo real changes from our previous roster projection. It’s unfortunate that Cedrick Wilson Jr. got hurt, because it felt like he had a chance of making it. It was down to Wilson, Martin and Lovett for me, and after the preseason and hearing coaches talk about this room, I’m going with Martin. He’s reliable on special teams and has made enough plays when called upon on offense, including a touchdown grab in Saturday’s finale.Tight ends (3)Starter: Sam LaPortaReserves: Brock Wright, Tyler ConklinCut: Jackson Meeks, Thomas Gordon, Zach Horton, Miles KitselmanThis might’ve been the hardest decision. Meeks made my previous roster projection. He was coming off an excellent game versus the Washington Commanders (led the team in receptions, receiving yards and forced a fumble on special teams). Not to mention LaPorta hadn’t practiced in a few days after suffering a hip injury. However, LaPorta returned to practice this week, and looks like himself again. I expect him to be ready to go in Week 1. Unfortunately, that changes things a bit.I think Meeks has done enough, but it’s hard to justify a fourth tight end who’s still developing. Maybe if the Lions go lighter at linebacker, defensive line or the offensive line, they can find a way to roster Meeks. But there’s a strong chance he makes it through waivers and can stick around on the practice squad.Offensive line (9)Starters (right to left): Blake Miller, Tate Ratledge, Juice Scruggs, Christian Mahogany, Penei SewellReserves: Ben Bartch, Larry Borom, Miles Frazier, Seth McLaughlinIR to return: Cade MaysNFI: Giovanni ManuCut: Mason Miller, Melvin Priestly, Michael Niese, Devin Cochran, Colby Sorsdal, Gus HartwigThe wild card here is McLaughlin. I had him making the roster previously, but I’m not sure that’s the case anymore. McLaughlin was in concussion protocol in the final week of camp and did not practice in the days leading up to the game. Already down Mays (wrist), Niese (spotted on crutches last week) and Scruggs (resting as a presumed starter), McLaughlin didn’t play Saturday. Mason Miller handled center duties, alongside Hartwig. As of now, their options are Scruggs, Ratledge (right guard) and Miller, who had a rough day snapping.Because the center position requires a higher knowledge of the offense, I felt compelled to keep McLaughlin around. That said, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Lions look outside the organization for an extra lineman.Defensive line (10)Starters: Aidan Hutchinson, Tyleik Williams, Alim McNeill, Tyler LacyReserves: D.J. Wonnum, Derrick Moore, Ahmed Hassanein, Levi Onwuzurike, Skyler Gill-Howard, Chris SmithIR: Payton TurnerCut: Ben Stille, Mekhi Wingo, Anthony Lucas, Tyre West, Eric O’Neill, Myles AdamsLast week, Stille earned my 10th and final spot, but Smith got the start today over Stille. Could be a sign of things to come. Because he’s been here for years and has made the roster in the past, I’m giving it to Smith. Stille could stick around on the practice squad. O’Neill has been very good this preseason — worth keeping him as well. Really like the depth here.Skyler Gill-Howard made another play Saturday — a common sight this preseason for the Lions’ defense. (Robert Goddin / Imagn Images)Linebacker (6)Starters: Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Devin WhiteReserves: Malcolm Rodriguez, Trevor Nowaske, Jimmy RolderIR: Damone ClarkCut: Joe Bachie, Erick Hunter, Troy Reeder, Amen OgbongbemigaLinebacker will be interesting. The key here is Rolder. If he’s ready to go, the Lions don’t need to list him as an IR-to-return candidate and can simply roster him — bringing this total to six. If not, they could stash him and give his spot to someone else. Campbell said last week he expects Rolder to be ready for the opener. That changes things. I’m moving Rolder from IR-to-return to the 53-man roster, bringing the total to six. The Lions should try to keep Bachie on the practice squad. He’s good enough to make the roster.Cornerbacks (8)Starters: D.J. Reed, Rock Ya-Sin, Roger McCreary (nickel)Reserves: Christian Izien, Nick Whiteside, Ennis Rakestraw Jr., Keith Abney II (nickel), Khalil DorseyCut: Aamaris Brown, Ryan Cooper Jr., Ekow Boye-Doe, Eric Scott Jr.If the Lions go heavier at cornerback, it’ll look like this. Izien was a projected starter for me until Campbell revealed he’s dealing with an injury that might keep him out early in the season. Campbell said he doesn’t know if the Lions will have Izien for the opener or not. If that’s the case, it all but guarantees a spot for McCreary, who got the start at nickel Saturday. Abney has a chance to make it interesting, but I think the Lions will opt for experience to start the season.Safeties (3)Starters: Chuck Clark, Avonte MaddoxReserves: Thomas HarperPUP: Kerby Joseph, Brian BranchCut: Dan Jackson, Jason Taylor IISafety is less of a need if Branch is ready by the end of September. Even if he’s still shaking off the rust, he can help this defense. Joseph is more of a wild card, but if he’s on a similar timeline as Branch, he could return by late September/early October. Clark and Maddox are smart veterans who should be able to hold down the fort until the starters return. Harper started games for this unit last year and provides depth. Izien can also move from nickel to safety in a pinch.Specialists (3)Starters: Jack Fox (punter), Jake Bates (kicker), Hogan Hatten (long snapper)No change here. Bates had a rough preseason finale. Have to hope that’s not going to linger into the season, but this trio is locked in. He’s usually better when the lights are on, anyway.