Getting right down to it, the Detroit Lions don't have a lot of roster spots fully up for grabs as the second set of full-team OTAs beckons this week (Wednesday through Friday). That's just part of having one of the best rosters in the NFL, and it's certainly better than having to give roster spots to a set of lesser-talented players who simply win position battles as the lesser of two ugly-looking evils. And the Lions were in a spot like that not too long ago.
Those who are battling for a roster spot or a role can't have any let up right now. Even non-padded practices in May are important, to show up and seize whatever opportunities there are to show out. A fairly long list of players who were out or limited during the first set of OTAs for the Lions may continue this week, as May winds down and the calendar flips to June, and provide opportunities for others to shine.
These five Lions stand as top candidates to be cut heading into the summer.
5 Detroit Lions' cut candidates heading into the summer
5. OG Kayode Awosika
The additions of Giovanni Manu and Christian Mahogany in April's draft naturally pushed Awosika down the Lions' depth chart at guard. He started four games at left guard in place of an injured Jonah Jackson, including the NFC Championship Game, and he was not particularly good. In the previous playoff game against Tampa Bay, after Jackson left it injured, Awosika allowed seven pressures on 28 pass blocking snaps (according to Next Gen Stats). According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed five pressures on 24 "true pass sets" in the NFC Championship Game against the 49ers.
Colby Sorsdal could be put in the same boat as Awosika, but he seems to have developmental upside and potential position versatility Awosika simply doesn't.
In a broad sense, offensive line depth is an issue for the Lions. Awosika didn't show himself to be a viable fill-in when called upon last year, so he's an easy candidate to be cut.