5 Detroit Lions cut candidates going into the summer

3. RB Zonovan Knight

Knight was a very interesting addition to the Lions' running back depth chart after the Jets cut him late last preseason. If not for a shoulder injury in October that ended his season, he may have eventually overtaken Craig Reynolds as the No. 3 running back.

Now, Knight inds himself in what could be a hotly contested position battle. Reynolds is well-regarded by the coaching staff for all he brings to the table, and it was clear rookie Sione Vaki was highly coveted before the Lions traded into the fourth round of April's draft to get him. General manager Brad Holmes was immediately clear that Vaki is viewed first as a running back, then secondarily a special teamer, then perhaps a safety on the defensive side of the ball.

The Lions may decide to carry four running backs into the season, up from three on the initial 53-man roster last year. Vaki is a lock to make it, barring a significant injury, and the equity Reynolds has built may mean he'll have to be decisively beaten out by Knight to lose his roster spot.

Knight may get that done, and show himself to be a far better player than Reynolds as the Lions always operate a meritocracy.

But it'll be hard for the Lions to ignore what they know about Reynolds if the battle between he and Knight for one roster spot is close. So "Bam" may ultimately, simply, be the odd-man out.