For all intents and purposes, the Detroit Lions seem content with the quality and depth of the roster they have built this offseason. GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell regularly talk about how happy they are with where they are in terms of personnel. Lions fans shouldn't expect wholesale changes between now and the roster cutdown date.
Yet, that doesn't mean that there won't be significant departures. Some will be more painful than others, but the Lions will have to part ways with plenty of players who have been with the team for years. With the second round of organized team activities (OTAs) starting on Tuesday, time is running out for several Lions. Let's take a look at a few names who have entered June firmly on the chopping block.
TE Brock Wright
Despite underwhelming production and calls for his replacement by Lions fans, Brock Wright managed to stick around in Detroit for five seasons. He is a favorite of Dan Campbell and the coaching staff and is a useful player as a depth tight end.
With the arrival of Tyler Conklin in the offseason, however, it's a little harder to justify keeping Wright around. In fact, Wright may be the most likely post-June 1 cut on the Lions' roster.
The Lions can save $3.58 million by cutting Wright. That may be an appealing option for Detroit, given his $4.79 million cap hit for next season.
Conklin is a better blocker than Wright and can take his place as the TE2. Zach Horton or UDFA rookie Miles Kitselman can round out the rest of the TE room. There has to be a better use of resources than overpaying for Wright.
RB Sione Vaki
The Lions are not ready to give up on Vaki yet, and GM Brad Holmes said earlier in the offseason that they still want to see what the talented rusher can do in training camp.
On paper, Vaki's versatility is intriguing. His contributions on defense and special teams, in addition to his rushing, were what got him drafted in the fourth round. In the two years since, however, he hasn't been able to translate that intrigue to on-field success.
With Isiah Pacheco now in the mix and Jacob Saylors emerging as an impactful special teams contributor, it's hard to see how Vaki carves out a role for himself.
OT Giovanni Manu
Another disappointing pick in the 2024 NFL Draft for the Lions was a fellow fourth-round selection, Giovanni Manu.
Manu was always going to take time to become an NFL contributor. He was selected due to his raw physical and athletic tools rather than his NFL-readiness. Unfortunately, he hasn't been able to show sufficient development ever since he arrived in Detroit.
The Lions are making changes to the offensive line next season, moving Penei Sewell to left tackle. Manu currently looks like the second-team left tackle, but hasn't demonstrated anything to suggest that the Lions can count on him in such a key role.
Given the additions elsewhere on the offensive line, including Larry Borom, the Lions will be better off going in a different direction at backup LT. Manu's time in Detroit will come to an end before the season starts unless he manages to show something no one is expecting of him this summer.
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