Top 5 Possible Detroit Lions Cap Casualties
By Justin Simon
July 28, 2012; Allen Park, MI, USA; Detroit Lions tackle
(78) during training camp at the Detroit Lions training facility. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Corey Hilliard
Cap Charge: $1,900,000
Cap Savings: $1,650,000
It’s going to be a long shot for Corey Hilliard to make this roster. He’s not good enough to start and he’s too expensive to play swing tackle. Hilliard has been able to stick on the roster in the past in-part because of his relative value and the fact that Jim Schwartz often sided with veteran depth over raw talent. It’s unclear whether the new coaching staff will feel the same way.
Possible Replacement: LaAdrian Waddle, Cornelius Lucas, or Michael Williams
Corey Hilliard also has age going against him. The 29 year old veteran is going to have to fight off a battle from young guys like LaAdrian Waddle, Cornelius Lucas, and Michael Williams. All of these players offer more in terms of talent and development. The Lions also have more invested in the young players than they have in Hilliard. Williams was a seventh round pick and both Waddle and Lucas were a targets for the Lions in the draft even with Hilliard under contract. That tells me Hilliard may well be on the outside looking in despite working with the first team throughout OTAs.