The Detroit Lions largely kept their core from last season together, meaning that making projections for the 53-man roster after training camp may not be as challenging as it is for other teams. Obviously, this is the NFL, and there are always minor changes on the margins of the roster from year to year, and the Lions are no different. With the additions of seven rookies in the draft and the departures of the likes of Carlton Davis, Kevin Zeitler, and the retirement of Frank Ragnow, the Lions will have a different look in various positions.
One of those positions is the wide receiver room. The Lions selected Isaac TeSlaa in the third and Dominic Lovett in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Both rookies are expected to make the active roster, with TeSlaa playing a large role immediately. Considering that Detroit will likely bring six receivers into the season, a few pass-catchers will find themselves on the outside looking in.
Lions WR Tom Kennedy May Not Make It to Training Camp
One of those names is longtime Lions receiver Tom Kennedy. Being the odd man out and getting cut after training camp is something Kennedy has gotten very used to since 2019. He has been spending the offseason with the Lions over the last six seasons, getting cut before the season and finding himself on the practice squad. He has had a role with the team at various points of his NFL career, including last season as a return man.
While the Lions would like to keep the 28-year-old WR around as a competent practice squad veteran who is familiar with the system, how much longer Kennedy can stick around remains to be seen.
The Lions signed two receivers, Jackson Meeks and Jakobie Keeney-James, as undrafted free agents this offseason, and early reporting had suggested that the team was high on both rookies. At some point, Detroit will have to take a flyer on these rookies over the veteran Kennedy with limited upside.
This means that Kennedy may potentially find himself as a roster cut earlier than usual this time around. While it's not clear whether that will be the case, he is at risk of not making the training camp, perhaps more than ever.