3 Lions on the initial 53-man roster who won't last the season in Detroit

3. CB Will Harris

Harris occupies a place in the hearts of the Lions' coaching staff. Here's what head coach Dan Campbell said about him near the start of training camp.

"I love Will Harris. I do, and -- because he is. He’s a pro. He’s a pro. He’s a vet,” “You don’t have to worry about Will.

“Will’s going to be where he’s supposed to be when he’s supposed to be there. He’s a four-corps guy for us. He’s played safety. He can play nickel. He can play outside corner. And he’s just steady and reliable. He’s dependable, man. He’s always going to be there for you and that’s one of the biggest reasons that help -- guys like him help you sleep good at night.”""

Harris also seems to have a place in the hearts of some Lions' fans, as it they don't like him very much. He struggled as a safety to start his career, before finding a more comfortable home at cornerback over the last season-plus. That said, a remodeled secondary will rightfully reduce his defensive role this season (as long as most people are healthy).

Pro Football Focus grades can be tricky as a full evaluation tool, and Harris was the Lions' highest-graded corner by PFF last year (faint praise, yes). But they eye test often isn't very kind to him, obscuring the good plays he does make. When he's on the field defensively, a bullseye is and will now surely be even more on him as a path to success.

Harris ideal as an extra cornerback, with versatility and special teams utility. But if the Lions' coaches take a critical and unbiased evaluation of the impact he actually makes this season, his status on the roster could become tenuous.