4 potential surprise cuts for the Detroit Lions

4. CB Will Harris

It feels like Harris is inked into a spot on the 53-man roster, since he has been bumped down the pecking order in a now-loaded Lions' secondary. If he ends up playing a lot of defensive snaps this year, anywhere close to like he did the last two years (he led the team in defensive snap in 2021, and played two-thirds of the defensive snaps over the 15 games he played last year), things will have gone way off the rails with injuries. Now lined up to be a core special teamer, that's a more ideal role.

Then we have Dan Campbell's comments from early in training camp, citing Harris as a true pro who allows him to "sleep good at night." It's clear this coaching staff values Harris highly, but that value rooted in intangibles, experience and nominal versatility more than his actual talent level. Simply, despite finding a better home as a slot corner after starting his career as a safety, opposing offenses will put a bullseye on him if he's on the field.

Undrafted free agents Starling Thomas and Steven Gilmore are pushing for roster spots at cornerback for the Lions, and second-year man Chase Lucas is making a late push of his own. Khalil Dorsey has emerged as a late darkhorse too.

Harris could have a faint bit of trade value as final cuts approach. But if the Lions part with him, a cut that would land as surprising for many is probably more likely.