Who Might Not Make the Detroit Lions Roster When Training Camp Kicks Off?

When the Detroit Lions finally roll out to training camp, it won’t just be the coaches and the new rookies doing the heavy lifting. A few veterans and fringe players are already feeling the heat, unsure if they’ll even be in the locker room when the doors swing open.

First up is veteran cornerback Donovan Bradley. After a disappointing 2023 season in which he logged just one interception and struggled in coverage, the 29‑year‑old is battling a younger, faster squad for his spot. The Lions have a handful of promising second‑year backs who could easily eclipse his play‑time, and with a cap crunch looming, keeping Bradley might be more of a luxury than a necessity.

Next, the running back depth chart is a bit of a carousel, and Jahmyr Cole finds himself right in the middle of it. The former fourth‑round pick showed flashes of speed on special teams, but his carry numbers have barely ticked the board. With Detroit eyeing a committee approach that favors a power runner and a shifty back, Cole could be the odd man out if he doesn’t make a splash in preseason drills.

Lastly, there’s the often‑overlooked special‑teams ace, long‑snapper Chris Venturelli. He’s solid—no bad snaps in two seasons—but the Lions have reportedly been eyeing a younger, cheaper option from the practice squad. In a league where a single dollar saved can be redirected toward a key defensive piece, Venturelli’s future looks precarious despite his reliability.

All three players have contributed in the past, and none of them are strangers to Detroit fans. Still, the NFL offseason is unforgiving, and roster spots are a scarce commodity. Whether it’s a veteran’s experience, a player’s upside, or pure financial math that tips the scales, the final cuts are coming faster than a Sunday night blitz.

Fans can expect the Lions to announce the official roster sometime in late July, and until then, it’s a waiting game for Bradley, Cole and Venturelli. If you’re keeping an eye on the team’s payroll and depth, these names are the ones to watch – or perhaps, the ones to say goodbye to.