The five established Detroit Lions who need to impress in training camp
By Ash Thompson
Big free agent addition who did not impress
Rick Wagner had a down season in 2017 after signing a big contract. He was touted as the best right tackle in free agency for the 2017 offseason. He did not play poorly per se. He certainly did not live up to his mammoth contract.
The Lions have drafted a player that could serve as Wagner’s long-term replacement. Tyrel Crosby was considered by most prognosticators to be a second round talent. He fell to the fifth round of the NFL draft. The Lions are more than happy to have him.
It is not this season that Wagner needs to set the tone for in training camp. His contract is structured so that the Lions would lose salary cap space for cutting him this season. He will absolutely be on the Lions roster.
It is to set up next year that Wagner needs to look not just better than his competition, but much better. The Lions could save as much as $9 million in cap space by moving on from Wagner in 2019. If there is any question in their minds as to whether he is the better option, the team could choose to use that space elsewhere.
Rick Wagner to have a good camp. He needs to slam that door shut. At the end of the preseason, there needs to be no question in Bob Quinn’s mind that Wagner is the team’s long-term right tackle.