3 veterans who won't be on the Detroit Lions roster come Week 1

1. RB Craig Reynolds

Reynolds is a nice story, and he's easy to root for. When the Lions needed him to be their lead back in 2021, he stepped up solidly. But the competition for the No. 3 running back spot is lined up to be a good one, with undrafted rookie Mohamed Ibrahim something of a favorite for many. The Lions reportedly gave the former Gopher $100,000 guaranteed to bring him in immediately after he went undrafted, which speaks directly to getting every chance to make the roster.

Colton Pouncy of The Athletic (subscription required) recently pointed to 2021 seventh-round pick Jermar Jefferson as someone to watch in the battle for the No. 3 running back spot. Jefferson did not suit up for any games last year, but Pouncy added sentiment from head coach Dan Campbell that it wasn't due to a lack of trying--it just couldn't be made to work.

If Ibrahim asserts himself as the Lions' No. 3 back during camp and preseason games, as should be expected at this point, then it's between Reynolds and Jefferson for the No. 4 spot on the depth chart. Reynolds played 105 special teams snaps last year, so that would help him in that battle. But if Campbell still wants to find a way to have Jefferson on the active roster, it stands to reason that effort will not fail this time around.

With fullback Jason Cabinda in the fold until shown otherwise, and assuming everyone is healthy when camp closes and preseason games are done, it's hard to see the Lions keeping a total of six running backs on the final 53. Reynolds, through no major fault of his own necessarily, seems most likely to simply be the odd-man out and he can ideally find a better opportunity elsewhere.