3 Detroit Lions who could end up on the trade block before Week 1
2. RB Zonovan Knight
The Lions took an interesting flier on Knight when the New York Jets cut him late last preseason. He was on the practice squad until David Montgomery was injured early in the season, and he was almost lost to another team before they put him on the active roster. Then a shoulder injury ended his 2023 season early, but the Lions re-signed him this offseason.
The Lions have four running backs they're sure to carry on the 53-man roster: Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, Sione Vaki and Craig Reynolds. That also means the latter two probably won't see a lot of action against the Steelers in the preseason finale, if any, primarily to protect their health.
Knight has gotten a fair amount of work in both preseason games thus far (14 carries, two catches on three targets). But he's also battling with Jermar Jefferson for the proverbial RB5 spot, and it's not out of the question the Lions wind up keeping five running backs on the 53. If Knight is cut, the odds he would make it through waivers and be able to come back on the practice squad feel slim.
Knight had a productive stretch with the Jets as a rookie in 2022 after Breece Hall was sidelined by a torn ACL. Over his final two years in college at N.C. State, he had three kickoff return touchdowns while averaging nearly 31 yards per return. Running backs may be devalued on the whole, but Knight has utility that carries value as the NFL tries to bring kickoff returns back into the game.
On Tuesday Campbell said there will be some players who'll get an opportunity to showcase themselves for other teams against the Steelers, in case they don't make the cut with the Lions.
Campbell says he wants to get guys exposure so that if they don't make it here, they can make it somewhere else. #Culture
— Mike Payton (@AtoZ_Payton) August 20, 2024
Knight is an obvious candidate to get the kind of exposure Campbell wants to give guys in the preseason finale. But rather than cut him and get nothing for him, it's not out of the question that he becomes a trade asset as teams make a call.
Note: Craig Reynolds suffered a lower body injury during Wednesday's practice, which is worth keeping an eye on and could alter the equation here. But for now, Knight is a potential trade chip.