Author: Paula Pasche

After four preseason games, the final cuts are due at 4 p.m. on Saturday to reduce the Detroit Lions’ roster to 53 men.

This was the first year the NFL had eliminated earlier cuts, although the Lions had released a few guys earlier in the week including Tim Wright, Keshawn Martin and Cyrus Kouandijo. The early cuts gave the veterans a chance to sign with another team.

On Thursday they traded guard Laken Tomlinson. On Friday they released running back Matt Asiata and waived guard Connor Bozick and defensive end Giorgio Newberry.

Depth at a few positions will provide GM Bob Quinn with some tough decisions. Running back Tion Green had a good showing on Thursday night but can he crack the roster? If not, the rookie would be an ideal practice squad candidate.

At wide receiver Jared Abbrederis and Jace Billingsley have made their cases at wide receiver.

Remember after the cuts are made to 53, it’s likely more changes will be made before the season opener on Sept. 10 against the Arizona Cardinals. Expect that Quinn will be looking for more help on the defensive line.

Here is my projected 53-man roster:

QBs (2)

Matthew Stafford

Jake Rudock

WRs (5)

Golden Tate

Marvin Jones

Kenny Golladay

Jace Billingsley

TJ Jones

RBs (4)

Ameer Abdullah

Theo Riddicck

Zach Zenner

Dwayne Washingtom

TIGHT ENDS (4)

Eric Ebron

Darren Fells

Cole Wick

Michael Roberts (rookie)

OFFENSIVE LINE (9)

G T.J. Lang

G Graham Glasgow

G Brandon Thomas

G/C Joe Dahl

C Travis Swanson

T Rick Wagner

T Greg Robinson

T Cornelius Lucas

T Corey Robinson

PUP: Taylor Decker

DEFENSIVE LINE (9)

DE Ziggy Ansah

DE Anthony Zettel

DE Jeremiah Valoaga (rookie)

DE Cornelius Washington

DE Alex Barrett (rookie)

DT Haloti Ngata

DT A’Shawn Robinson

DT Akeem Spence

DT Jeremiah Ledbetter (rookie)

SUSPENDED: Armonty Bryant, Khyri Thornton

LINEBACKER (6)

Jarrad Davis (rookie)

Tahir Whitehead

Antwione Williams

Steve Longa

Paul Worrilow

Jalen Reeves-Maybin (rookie)

DEFENSIVE BACKS (11)

S Glover Quin

S Don Carey

S Miles Killebrew

S Tavon Wilson

S Alex Carter

CB Darius Slay

CB Johnson Bademosi

CB Quandre Diggs

CB Nevin Lawson

CB Teez Tabor (rookie)

CB Jamal Agnew (rookie)

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)

K Matt Prater

P Kasey Redfern

LS Don Muhlbach

NFI: P Sam Martin

It just makes sense that the Lion traded guard Laken Tomlinson to the San Francisco 49ers for a fifth-round pick today.

Tomlinson started 10 games in 2016, the last four at right guard due to injuries on the line. He was at left guard for the first five games and then was switched to right guard in Week 6.

Here are five reasons why it was a good move:

1. The former first-round pick was likely to be cut on Saturday when the 53-man rosters are due. This way at least the team gets something instead of nothing.

2. Yes, he was a first-round pick (2015 out of Duke), but he was drafted by former Lions GM Martin Mayhew. Believe me, it would have been a little tougher to trade him if Bob Quinn had drafted him, although Quinn still might have done it. Some people say drafting first-round picks is easy. Tomlinson is evidence to the contrary.

3. Mayhew is currently a senior personnel executive with the 49ers. Obviously he still thinks Tomlinson is an NFL-caliber player. We will see if he survives the 49ers’ cuts.

4. The writing was on the wall when Tomlinson, who had started at left guard as a rookie, was benched for rookie Graham Glasgow after five games in 2016. That said it all. It also let the players know that coach Jim Caldwell and his gang do not care what round you are drafted in, the best players will be on the field.

5. It’s likely Glasgow again will start at left guard. Joe Dahl should be active on Sundays because he can back up at guard, center and, in a pinch, at tackle. Dahl has played in just six regular season NFL games with no starts, but obviously the coaches have confidence in him. There was no reason for the Lions to keep Tomlinson if he wasn’t going to be active on game days. They only keep seven offensive linemen active for games including one backup tackle.

The Lions have tough decisions to make on Saturday to whittle the roster down to 53 men. Many of the roster spots are inked in while a few others could depend on how certain players perform in Thursday night’s preseason game at the Buffalo Bills.

In the final preseason game a year ago, defensive end Kerry Hyder earned a roster spot with three sacks in the 31-0 win over the Bills at Ford Field.

“There are a lot of guys that have made tremendous strides and really play well in that last game that make your team. Kerry Hyder was one them in his year that he came out and did some great things for us, but that fourth game, there’s a number of guys that you can point to,’’ coach Jim Caldwell said this week. “So, I think it’s important that the more guys that we have to look at and still evaluate, the better the competition, and that being the case, it makes it better for the coaches and the staff as well.’’

Unfortunately, Hyder tore his Achilles in the first preseason game this year and is out for the season.

Don’t expect most starters to get playing time.

Here are five things to watch:

1. Quarterback Jake Rudock is expected to start and play most of the game. Rudock had a good game last week against the Patriots (10-13, 113 yards, 1 touchdown) and would like to keep it going. “Every game is a new game, that’s the first thing. I want to get a first down and then another. You get enough of those eventually you’re in the end zone,’’ Rudock said. “It’s about doing that, hopefully finishing in the red zone, you always to come away with points.’’ Rudock isn’t fighting for a job. He is clearly the No. 2 quarterback. Brad Kaaya could see some mop-up time in the second half. The rookie is not even close to battling Rudock for the No. 2 spot.

2. It could be a good game to get another look at running backs not named Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick. Those two should be on the sidelines covered in bubble wrap. You could see more of Dwayne Washington, Matt Asiata, Tion Green and maybe Zach Zenner. Although wouldn’t be shocked if Zenner doesn’t play much. He’s a lock to make the roster.

3. Last year Caldwell only kept four wide receivers on the 53-man roster. He could still have decisions to make there if he keeps four or five. Again, Golden Tate and Marvin Jones are unlikely to see action. Maybe Kenny Golladay too. Without question those three are on the roster. Jace Billingsley, Jared Abbrederis and TJ Jones could get plenty of playing time against the Bills’ defense.

4. Eric Ebron did not play in the first three games due to injury but has practiced this week. He could get in there to knock off a little rust. Still decisions to be made at tight end. Darren Fells is a keeper. Not sure about Cole Wick, rookie Michael Roberts and Khari Lee. Roberts could be a practice squad candidate.

5. The defensive line is still Question Mark City. GM Bob Quinn expects Ziggy Ansah to be ready for Week One, but he’s not expected to suit up on Thursday. Look for more playing time for rookie defensive tackle Jeremiah Ledbetter and tackle Derrick Lott who was signed this week. At end keep an eye on three rookies — Alex Barrett, Pat O’Connor and Jeremiah Valoaga.