As we look toward training camp, some Detroit Lions players are on the hot seat in terms of their role and potentially their roster spot. There's a case for defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike, with the latter idea firmly in mind, to be atop that list.
To be frank, with the quick move to cut defensive lineman Josh Paschal under very similar circumstances (missing all of last season, etc.), it's a little surprising Onwuzurike is still on the Lions' roster. He'll have a chance to show he's healthy during training camp, apart from any strict evaluation of his performance compared to those he's competing with.
In a look at 10 potential training camp cut candidates around the league who could be traded instead, FanSided's Wynston Wilcox named Onwuzurike.
"The Detroit Lions need the defensive lineman depth, but Levi Onwuzurike hasn’t really been that productive. With Tyliek Williams as a backup option, Onwuzurike could be cut and save the Lions $1.2 million in cap space. The Lions could explore trades as well. Onwuzurike is still young and can be a depth piece at minimum for a team and possible starter if a team gets hit with bad injury luck."
Levi Onwuzurike is a prime candidate for a preseason showcase
The Lions' general perceived lack of interior defensive line depth might save Onwuzurike from being cut. Head coach Dan Campbell wasn't willing to say a lot about his progress from the knee injury that costed him all of last season, other than he "likes" where the former second-round pick is at.
The fact remains that Onwuzurike has missed two entire seasons out of five so far in his career. He has only been fully healthy and a viable contributor in one of the remaining three seasons, 2024, when he had 1.5 sacks, 13 quarterback hits and was Pro Football Focus' 26th-highest graded defensive tackle.
The question is, such as possibilities may exist now or ever, what could the Lions even get for Onwuzurike in a trade? Getting something for him would be better than cutting him outright with nothing in return, but to what end?
No self-respecting team is going to offer anything better than a conditional Day 3 draft pick for Onwuzurike as things currently stand. And it's certainly possible those conditions, like making the 53-man roster, lasting on the 53-man roster for a certain amount of time or a certain number games played, don't get met.
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Onwuzurike's roster bubble status is undeniable, it's just a matter of the extent he's there based on any external, or ultimately internal, evaluation now or when the initial Lions' 53-man roster starts to really take shape.
The Lions would do well to, if possible, give Onwuzurike lots of action in preseason games. Doing so would allow them to see how he responds to game action health-wise, and possibly bolster any trade value he might have.
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