5 Detroit Lions players who will not be back in 2023

4. CB Amani Oruwariye

Oruwariye’s drop-off after intercepting six passes and looking like a future Pro Bowler in 2021 has been quick and shocking. He was Pro Football Focus’ lowest-graded qualifying cornerback early in the season (and may still be now), amid penalties and struggles to cover much of anyone. He was benched in Week 5, and a back injury cost him a game in Week 2.

After playing just one defensive snap in Week 9, Oruwariye played one defensive snap again in Week 10 against the Chicago Bears–with an uptick to 14 special teams snaps.

Into last offseason, Oruwariye seemed like a shoo-in for a contract extension from the Lions as he entered the final year of his rookie contract. The contract situation has been dismissed as a factor in his poor play this season. Now the Lions are in position with their cornerback room to give him the role he has earned, rather than the one it feels like he should have based on his performance last year. Future benchings are in play if things stay that way over the rest of the season, since one defensive snap in a game might as well be zero.

Oruwariye’s stock may be diminished so much now, and looking to free agency, that he ends up coming back to Detroit on a cheap one-year deal come March. But the Lions can, and should, just let him go. They are preparing to not have him next year right now, by simply not playing him.