4 Lions players who don't deserve to be back next season, and 2 who do

Based on how the season has gone so far, which players need to stick around, and which need to go?

Detroit Lions, Josh Reynolds
Detroit Lions, Josh Reynolds | Nic Antaya/GettyImages
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1. Josh Reynolds, WR

At the moment, Josh Reynolds is pacing for the best overall season of his career in terms of yards per reception, touchdowns and potentially receiving yards, as well. As the no. 2 or no. 3 option for most of the season behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta, Reynolds has given this offense a big lift at times.

His connection with Jared Goff is so apparent, too. As an impending free agent, the Lions should keep this group mostly intact by retaining Reynolds. Offensively, they have been so good and, assuming they'll lose offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to a promotion elsewhere, they should keep the majority of their top personnel together on the field.

2. Craig Reynolds, RB

Funny enough, we have another Reynolds here, with running back Craig Reynolds. With all of the attention on David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs this season, Craig Reynolds continues to operate as a steady no. 3 back for this Lions team. In his third year with Detroit, Reynolds has done everything asked of him. It's hard to believe his first career rushing touchdown came earlier this year, but Reynolds finally made his way into the end zone in that win over Carolina.

And, anytime the team is in a pinch due to injury, Reynolds steps up and runs well. He has also been a capable pass catcher, too. Impressively enough, Reynolds has caught 21 of 23 targets during his time with the Lions. He is an easy guy to bring back on a team-friendly deal. The team loves him. Fans love him. Reynolds is as good of a depth running back as there is in football.

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