As the Detroit Lions hone their roster before the 2022 season, these four players could be surprise cuts.
As the 2021 season approached, the Detroit Lions showed their approach under Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell. Wide receiver Breshad Perriman, a notable free agent signing last offseason, was cut before Week 1. Even as the start of a rebuild, the Lions will operate on merit and earning it, not name, contract or anything else beyond proving your mettle on the practice field and in games.
If nothing else, even without big splashes in free agency, the Lions have added a good amount of competition to the mix this offseason. Heading into a season where a jump to 7-9 wins looks possible, the best players will make the final 53-man roster and those with potential will have a chance to otherwise stick on the practice squad.
Perriman was a surprising cut for the Lions as last year’s season opener approached, in a broad sense even as his performance to that point apparently was not measuring up. It’s unclear if this year will bring a similar move, but it’s definitely possible.
From here to when the 2022 season starts in September, here are four players who could be surprise cuts for the Detroit Lions.
4 potential surprise cuts for the Detroit Lions before the 2022 season
4. RB Jamaal Williams
I’ll start by saying the odds of Williams being cut are near zero–if not zero if Holmes were ever asked about it. Beyond what he contributes on the field, he has intangible value as a leader. He’s also a soundbite producer with the media, clearly comfortable in front of a microphone in a way some (if not many, or all) of his teammates might not be.
If the Lions were going to cut Williams entering the second year of his two-year deal, they probably would have done it by now. A recognizable veteran free agent signing or a noteworthy draft pick would have pushed that potential conversation, if it was ever entertained at all.
The Lions cutting Williams would not have much cap implication, with $1.625 million of his $4.375 million cap number left behind in dead money according to Over The Cap. His time unemployed would also probably be measured in hours.
But there is a world where Godwin Igwebuike keeps his roster spot based on his special teams contributions, Jermar Jefferson is kept around based on potential going into his second season and undrafted rookie Greg Bell earns strong consideration for a roster spot. And let’s not forget Craig Reynolds, who had a solid little run as the Lions’ lead back last season and is worthy of a roster spot until further notice.
The Lions cutting Williams would be a huge, huge shock. But since it’s not totally out of the realm of possibility, he starts this list.
3. DL Michael Brockers
Brockers was acquired in the second trade the Lions made with the Rams last offseason, on the idea he’d bring a veteran presence to a young team that needed one (he’s currently the only Lion who is over 30 years old). He did that, but on the field he was not very impactful (one sack, four tackles for loss, one quarterback hit, five pressures). Take into account his reduced snaps shares as the season went on, and younger players in search of opportunity (Levi Onwuzurike in particular) and there’s a recipe to be cut.
It’ll be way easier for the Lions to cut Brockers in 2023, from a cap perspective, when he’s entering the final year of his contract. But a post-June 1 cut this year lowers a dead money hit to below $6 million, so the move would not be out of the question if it comes to that point.
2. EDGE Julian Okwara
Finally mostly healthy last season (13 games played), Okwara showed his pass rushing potential (five sacks, nine quarterback hits and 14 pressures over 362 snaps). A third-round pick in 2020, the younger Okwara’s first season was mostly nil due to injuries.
Okwara (245 pounds) looks the part of a 3-4 outside linebacker with the skill set to match. How he fits as the Lions move toward using more four-man defensive fronts automatically looks iffy, unless he can add weight. Or, he could make the move to being more of an off-the-ball linebacker.
Then there’s a numbers game to navigate among Lions’ edge rushers (Aidan Hutchinson, Charles Harris, Josh Paschal, Romeo Okwara, James Houston?, Austin Bryant?).
Even if the Lions’ defensive coaches believe in his potential, Okwara could be on the outside looking it at some point. Any further struggles to stay healthy may seal his fate.
1. WR Kalif Raymond
Raymond got an opportunity with the Lions last year, and he made the most he could out of it (48 catches for 576 yards; 11.2 yards per punt return). As easily expected, he was re-signed this offseason.
Raymond’s role in Detroit’s offense is in line to naturally reduce this year, based on the additions of DJ Chark in free agency, Jameson Williams in the draft and Josh Reynolds being re-signed and around for a full season after being picked up midseason last year.
Which isn’t to say Raymond’s role on the team won’t have value, as a punt returner, possible kickoff returner and valuable depth if Williams is slower to recover from a torn ACL or other injuries hit the receiving corps.
But an interesting element has been added to the equation.
Undrafted rookie Kalil Pimpleton apparently was impressive during rookie minicamp, and his role over his final couple seasons at Central Michigan was notably multi-faceted. From a broad view he is set to push Raymond for a similar role as a return man/depth receiver/potential gadget player on offense, which would likely be confined to one 53-man roster spot.
Raymond signed a two-year deal to come back to the Lions, but it’s not particularly expensive as a whole or to get out of. Cutting him right now, or eventually before the season starts, would leave behind less than $2.9 million in dead money this year with no cap savings.
Raymond is used to competing for looks, as he never got a great chance to play before last year. So that part won’t be an issue for him. But Pimpleton may simply prove himself to be the better player over the coming months, and we know (or think we know) what that would mean for Raymond.