It’s crazy to think that the Detroit Lions will play football this week, as they’ll play the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday for the annual Hall of Fame game. Although it’s only a preseason game, and we won’t see any of the stars play, we can still conduct some scouting and determine if we have a future impact player on the team.
Players who are on the bubble of making the roster must use these games and training camp to convince Dan Campbell and the coaching staff that they are worthy of a roster spot. They’ll have until August 16th to make a lasting impression.
This former Lion, however, is destined to be released before training camp ends.
Kindle Vildor Is Destined to Be Cut
Kindle Vildor spent two seasons with the Lions, appearing in a combined 22 games. In his short tenure, Vildor mainly served as a backup cornerback and special teamer, recording 26 tackles, five pass deflections, and one forced fumble.
Vildor will forever be remembered by Lions’ fans, but not for a good reason. He’ll be remembered for giving up a 51-yard catch to Brandon Aiyuk in the NFC Championship Game, as the ball bounced off his helmet right into Aiyuk’s hands.
It’s disappointing that Vildor’s play couldn't wash the stain of that catch, but it’s best that he moved on, as he signed a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Unfortunately, his tenure with the Buccaneers may be short-lived as there’s a chance he could get cut during camp.
Tampa’s secondary is deep. Jamel Dean, Zyon McCollum, and Tykee Smith are the projected starting corners, which leaves just a few backup spots remaining. Those spots will likely go to the Buccaneers' second and third-round picks: Benjamin Morrison and Jacob Parrish.
That puts the Buccaneers at five cornerbacks. Vildor would have to impress every day at camp if the Buccaneers were to add him to their deep group of corners. Ultimately, Vildor would have to settle as a special teamer if he were to make the roster.