As preseason in the NFL winds down, players on the fringe of being cut are beginning to hear footsteps. Teams will need to have their 53-man rosters set by 6 p.m. on August 30, once every preseason game has concluded. Some players don't need to do anything, but others, like defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo, need to perform to keep their jersey.
Wingo was a 6th round pick (189th overall) in the 2024 draft out of LSU. During his time with the Lions, he has recorded 12 total tackles (3 solo, 9 assisted) in 13 games played. The Missouri native was in street clothes for all but two games last season, and despite showing signs of potential in the finale against the Chicago Bears, he hasn't carried it over into the summer.
Lions' Mekhi Wingo and Skyler Gill-Howard battling for final defensive tackle spot
Wingo hasn't made much noise during training camp, but the same cannot be said for rookie Skyler Gill-Howard. Lions head coach Dan Campbell recently praised Gill-Howard for his tenacity.
"I like his growth, and he's got a motor. He's relentless, he's a competitor," Campbell said. "I like the fact that he's got a little chip on his shoulder. He's got something to prove, and I think he feels like he belongs, which he should. That's all you can ask for, you know, it's not too big for him."
Someone who seemingly already has their spot secured is rookie defensive tackle Chris Smith. After playing at Harvard and Notre Dame in college and going undrafted in the 2023 draft, Smith signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions in 2024. He later appeared in five games and recorded two tackles. He might already have a roster spot locked up, but Smith said he's keeping his eye on the ball.
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"Until camp's over, I'm never going to be complacent in that," Smith said. "Just continue to attack every day and just keep my head down and not worry about the end goal, just worry about the days in front of me."
As for Wingo, it feels like he needs an incredible game on Saturday against the Indianapolis Colts to survive cut day. He should see a solid amount of playing time, but it will come down to what he does with it.
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