{"id":30809,"date":"2025-08-19T11:33:54","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T11:33:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=30809"},"modified":"2025-08-19T11:33:54","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T11:33:54","slug":"breaking-predicting-5-surprise-cuts-for-lions-based-on-preseason-performances","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=30809","title":{"rendered":"BREAKING : Predicting 5 Surprise Cuts for Lions Based on Preseason Performances"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure data-mm-id=\"_mwp2d1n7t\">\n<div>\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,w_3120,h_1755,x_100,y_344\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/all_lions\/01k31089hk6f2nxqbnn8.jpg\" alt=\"Detroit Lions special team players Grant Stuard (15), Shane Zylstra (84), and Sione Vaki (33) battle for possession of the ball \" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_zpsujl1om\">Roster cutdown day always delivers a few surprises, and the Detroit Lions are no exception.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_fizo4qbal\">Coming off a 15-win season and an NFC North title, the Lions find themselves with increased depth across several position groups, which could leave some recognizable names on the outside looking in.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_rrc3fbp8a\">Here are five players who could be surprise cuts before the start of the regular season.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_7wq9wuwlz\"><strong>WR Tim Patrick<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_nv3hms0om\">Patrick was re-signed this offseason to provide size and experience to Detroit\u2019s receiving corps, but training camp hasn\u2019t gone his way.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_2lmh5mri8\">He\u2019s struggled to find rhythm while rookies Isaac TeSlaa and Jackson Meeks have impressed with their energy and playmaking.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_rcgl3xnu4\">With Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams locked in at the top of the depth chart, Patrick may be battling for one of the final wideout spots.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_kjqajbaka\">If the younger receivers continue their rise, Patrick could be the odd man out.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_nipg8ycrw\"><strong>QB Hendon Hooker<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_nipg8ycrw\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/ahgQvnzYejKiN0eHRBdLRw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQyNztjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/athlon_sports_articles_610\/d496d6cbe8f47644df04b7ee62032616\" alt=\"Hendon Hooker Named a Potential Trade Target for Saints Following Derek  Carr's Retirement - Yahoo Sports\" \/><\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_5b6bgjpip\">The Lions drafted Hooker in 2023 with the hope he could develop into a capable backup, but his preseason performance has been underwhelming.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_kbx8oqq29\">Kyle Allen has outperformed him throughout the preseason, showing sharper command of the offense. While Detroit likely hoped Hooker would earn the No. 2 role behind Jared Goff, his inconsistency raises questions.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_6i1l134jx\">It would be a surprise, but not out of the realm of possibility, if Hooker were moved on from sooner than expected.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_dycsvp87r\"><strong>RB Craig Reynolds<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_v5gtskmy6\">Reynolds has been a reliable depth piece in recent years, but the competition in the backfield has stiffened.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_aybzlivch\">Second-year pro Sione Vaki and former UFL star Jacob Saylors have each made a case to earn the No. 3 running back spot behind David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_qmjqkm1cp\">Reynolds\u2019 experience with the Lions could work in his favor. However, Detroit may also opt for a younger, fresher option at the position, such as Vaki or Saylors.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_btqv1bz65\"><strong>TE Shane Zylstra<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_d7ikrg8l5\">Zylstra has been a steady reserve tight end, but the emergence of Zach Horton changes the equation.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_j4yrzdkj6\">Horton\u2019s ability to not only contribute as a receiver but also line up at fullback gives him added versatility.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_szqthrgft\">With Sam LaPorta and Brock Wright firmly entrenched as the top two tight ends, Zylstra\u2019s role is in jeopardy.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_444qedptw\">His familiarity with the system may not be enough to secure him a roster spot this time around.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_zwmip9tco\"><strong>DB Khalil Dorsey<\/strong><\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_hei5wdzgk\">Dorsey\u2019s return from a broken leg is encouraging, but the timing could also work against him.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_fax3ocabs\">Detroit has upgraded its secondary with the additions of DJ Reed, Rock Ya-Sin and Avonte Maddox, to name a few, making competition fierce for backup roles.<\/p>\n<p data-mm-id=\"_xkj1xpubc\">Dorsey\u2019s special teams ability is certainly valuable, particularly his ability as a gunner. However, it doesn\u2019t mean the veteran has an absolute stranglehold on a roster spot as the regular season nears.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Detroit Lions players that may not make the team after preseason performances.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":30810,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-30809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-detroit-lions"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>BREAKING : Predicting 5 Surprise Cuts for Lions Based on Preseason Performances - Breaking News<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingnews.azontree.com\/?p=30809\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"BREAKING : Predicting 5 Surprise Cuts for Lions Based on Preseason Performances - 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