After the draft, NFL team can target roster holes that need to be filled and assess where a surplus in other spots might be helpful to filling those voids. There is sometimes a path to parting with a player if they are falling down the pecking order at their position, but even that often comes down to the right timing.
After a 2024 season that saw their defense be riddled by injuries, the Detroit Lions are likely to hold onto whatever depth they can across the roster. Draft picks may create questions about some veterans, even those who were just signed in March, but that doesn't mean those players will be shopped on the trade market or eventually cut.
Sterling Xie of Pro Football Network has named one trade or cut candidate for each NFL team, with a broader premise that said player is or could become expendable.
Analyst offers unbelievably ridiculous 'expendable' player for the Lions
For the Lions, Xie went with defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike.
Go ahead and read that again so it can sink in.
"Although edge rusher might loom as a bigger need, the Detroit Lions now have plenty of beef on the interior of the defensive line. First-round DT Tyleik Williams profiles as a plug-and-play option from Day 1. D.J. Reader and Roy Lopez are reliable veteran run-stuffers as well, while big edge rushers like Brodric Martin and Josh Paschal can kick inside on passing downs."
"The only question is the recovery timeline from Alim McNeill, as the Lions may not want to leave themselves short-handed on the interior if McNeill is expected to miss most of 2025. However, if Onwuzurike fails to impress in the preseason, the Lions might be better served getting a Day 3 pick in return instead of cutting him."
Onwuzurike's first three NFL seasons were derailed by recurring back issues, including missing the entire 2022 season after having spinal fusion surgery. But he was healthy last season (16 games), and while his surface numbers weren't outstanding (28 total tackles, 1.5 sacks), Pro Football Focus graded him as a top-30 defensive tackle in the league. He also had a pass rush win rate (12.5 percent) that was top-15 at the position.
Onwuzurike also showed some versatility last season, with 168 snaps at left end (per PFF) to help the Lions cover a notable edge rusher void.
With his history of back issues in mind, and despite it seeming he could cash in nicely on the open market, Onwuzurike ended up going back to the Lions on just a one-year, $5.5 million deal this offseason.
Naming Onwuzurike as the most expendable Lions' player is one thing. But Xie extended the ridiculousness by mentioning Brodric Martin and Josh Paschal as if they're notable entities to the Lions' defensive line.
Martin has played all of five NFL regular season games (and 53 defensive snaps), while Paschal has missed three times more games (15) than he has sacks (five) over three seasons. Calling the 330-pound Martin a "big edge rusher" adds an indescribably odd layer to the analysis.
Hypothetically the Lions could trade, or even cut, Onwuzurike if he "fails to impress in the preseason." But if they do, I've got an oceanfront cabin in Arizona to sell you.
