If you were to project a Detroit Lions' 53-man roster right now, 2-3 weeks before training camp, you could write 40-something names in ink and you probably wouldn't be wrong come final cuts in late-August.
The Lions of course now have the talent level to lock in most of their 53-man roster spots in that fashion. There will be some natural battles for starting jobs and roles in training camp and the preseason, but even the losers of some of those battles will stick on the roster.
That being said, there are some players who just won't make the cut and some have been added at some point in this offseason. These three recently added players, perhaps going back to very early in the offseason, are easily cut candidates as we look ahead right now.
3 recently added players who are already cut candidates for the Detroit Lions
3. WR Tre'Quan Smith
Smith will be the only veteran wide receiver the Lions add this offseason, barring something unforeseen. He was signed to a futures deal in early February, as the clear biggest name of that group of signings. He played in just one game for the Denver Broncos last season, but he spent his first five NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
That time in New Orleans of course produced his tie to the Lions. Head coach Dan Campbell was the Saints' tight ends coach over Smith's first three seasons, when he had most of his best receiving production. His size and speed combo makes him a deep dark horse to earn a bigger offensive role than anyone foresees right now, and even though he's never done it there seems to be room for someone to win the kick returner job.
But Smith will have a tough battle to earn one of the last wide receiver spots on the Lions' 53-man roster, against players who are well-liked (Tom Kennedy) or more intriguing (Antoine Green, Isaiah Williams). It's possible his spot on the 90-man roster isn't his for very long once training camp starts.
2. LB Ben Niemann
Niemann was added to the Lions' roster about a month ago (June 10), with undrafted rookie linebacker Steele Chambers waived in the corresponding move.
Niemann brings experience with him (86 games over six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos), which could be important to the Lions after they lost linebacker and core special teamer Anthony Pittman in free agency this offseason.
Niemann may have also come with a couple endorsements. Broncos head coach (and Dan Campbell mentor) Sean Payton may have spoke well of him. Niemann also spent last preseason with the Tennessee Titans, where new Lions' defensive line coach Terrell Williams was.
The Lions have five linebackers who are locks for the 53-man roster barring a serious injury, or maybe a trade in at least one case (Alex Anzalone, Jack Campbell, Derrick Barnes, Malcolm Rodriguez, Jalen Reeves-Maybin). The question becomes if a sixth linebacker is kept on the 53-man roster, which has tentacles in how other position groups shake out when final cuts come.
Niemann's chances to win a spot on the Lions' 53-man roster have never seemed particularly good. Ultimately, if things go the expected way, he could be cut sooner instead of later to give him a better chance to latch on somewhere else.
1. PK Jake Bates
Let's address the uncomfortable elephant in the room.
Some of the shine came off Bates over the course of the UFL season with the Michigan Panthers, but his leg strength was clear. The Lions followed through on easy to prescribe interest and signed him to a two-year deal when the UFL season was over, as he had interest from multiple other teams.
During a recent podcast appearance with John Maakaron of SI.com, Bates cited why he signed with the Lions and hit many of the notes you'd expect (good experience with Detroit football fans, the culture in the building at Allen Park).
Ultimately, for the second straight offseason, and no offense to Bates, the Lions don't appear serious about actually pushing or replacing Michael Badgley. In a broader sense, rooted in Dan Campbell's fourth down aggressiveness (which there's nothing wrong with), this regime doesn't seem to care who their kicker is. Badgley's rough track record on long range field goals outdoors may have had some impact on fourth down strategy in the NFC Championship Game, and still there's not been a serious effort to replace him.
Ideally, Bates will get an equal shot to win the Lions' kicking job with no proverbial thumbs on the scale for Badgley. But it's hard to assume that will be the case. Yes, Bates should have to win the job. But it feels like he won't be allowed many (if any) slip-ups during camp and preseason games, while Badgley will be allowed to toil like a boxer who lets his opponent wear himself out before doing just enough to win some rounds and get the decision.
So Bates gets the top spot on this unfortunate list, if only because the deck seems it'll be stacked unnecessarily against him in his quest to beat out Badgley.
