With only a week left before the start of the NFL season, teams are finalizing their roster spots. Head coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes consistently talked about how happy they were with the quality and depth of the Detroit Lions throughout the offseason. This meant that they would also have difficult decisions to make when cutting down the roster from 90 players to 53.
Out of all the tough cuts, the Detroit Lions' decision to move on from wide receiver Greg Dortch has to be the most surprising one. NFL insider Tom Pelissero was the first to report the team's decision to release the veteran WR.
What does Greg Dortch's release mean for the Lions' WR room and return game?
Dortch was seen as a lock to make the 53-man roster. Behind the guaranteed starters Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Isaac TeSlaa, the 28-year-old Dortch was seen as the most obvious name to be the WR4. Not only does he provide a lot of value on special teams as a proven return man, but he is also very familiar with offensive coordinator Drew Petzing from his Arizona days.
This is especially surprising because there wasn't anyone in the wide receiver room who clearly outplayed Dortch this summer. Tay Martin has been a surprise standout, and many were penciling him as the WR5 option. Dominic Lovett has been invisible throughout preseason, his stock going down over the last few weeks.
Who the Lions will trust as their fourth receiver and punt returner remains to be seen. Tom Kennedy, a long-time Lion who has been bouncing back and forth between the practice squad and the active roster for years, may now be the favorite to take on the role. Alternatively, the Lions could turn to the waiver wire to add more depth to the wideout room.
Of course, the Lions have the right to bring Dortch back to the practice squad. First, he would need to clear waivers. Given his higher profile compared to most pass-catchers on the market, Dortch may not make it to free agency. Even if he does, how much interest he will have in joining the practice squad is unclear.
Campbell and the Lions weren't kidding when they were talking about the intense training camp competition. Every spot was clearly up for grabs, and a player who was presumed to be a lock couldn't make the 53-man roster. What this means for the Lions' offense and return game remains to be seen.
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