Depth is a good problem to have, but it also leads to difficult roster cuts. The Detroit Lions may have to make some surprising decisions in 2026, and a few unexpected players could be on the bubble.
The Detroit Lions have built one of the deepest rosters in the NFL over the past few seasons, but with depth comes difficult roster decisions. Every year, a few unexpected players end up being released due to competition, injuries, or roster construction. Heading into the 2026 season, there are a few players who could end up being surprise cuts when the Lions finalize their roster.
Here are three players who could be potential surprise cuts in 2026.
The first player is defensive lineman Levi Onwuzurike. Onwuzurike has dealt with injuries for most of his career since being drafted by Detroit in 2021. Back issues early in his career limited his availability and development, and injuries have continued to be a recurring issue. The Lions brought Onwuzurike back this season using an injury-related contract situation that allowed them to retain him for depth on the defensive line.
When healthy, Onwuzurike has shown flashes of being a disruptive interior defensive lineman who can push the pocket and help against the run. However, availability has been the biggest issue throughout his career. The Lions have continued to add depth along the defensive line through the draft and free agency, which means roster spots are becoming harder to secure. If Onwuzurike cannot stay healthy or if younger players outperform him during camp and the preseason, he could end up being a surprise cut despite his experience in the system.
The second player who could be a surprise cut is offensive lineman Colby Sorsdal. The Lions recently signed four offensive linemen, which significantly increases competition in the trenches. Detroit has made it a priority to build one of the deepest offensive lines in the league, and that strategy means some younger players may be fighting for limited roster spots.
Sorsdal has shown versatility during his time with the Lions, which is valuable for backup offensive linemen who often need to play multiple positions. However, when teams add multiple veterans or draft new linemen, roster spots quickly become competitive. Offensive line depth is important, but teams typically only keep a certain number of linemen on the 53-man roster. If the newly signed linemen perform well in training camp and preseason games, Sorsdal could find himself on the outside looking in despite having experience with the team.
The third player who could be a surprise cut is wide receiver Dominic Lovett. Lovett was a seventh-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and was viewed as a potential return specialist, especially after the departure of return man Kalif Raymond. Lovett’s path to the roster seemed to be through special teams as a punt and kick returner while developing as a depth receiver.
However, the Lions signed wide receiver and return specialist Greg Dortch, which could complicate Lovett’s chances of making the roster. If Dortch secures the return job, Lovett would likely need to earn a roster spot purely as a depth receiver, which can be difficult for a seventh-round pick. The Lions have several receivers competing for roster spots, and special teams value often determines the final few spots on the roster.
None of these players are guaranteed to be cut, but roster competition is stronger than ever in Detroit. When teams become contenders, roster decisions become more difficult because there are fewer weak spots and more players competing for the same roles.
As the Lions continue to build a roster capable of competing for a Super Bowl, tough decisions will have to be made. That could lead to a few unexpected roster moves, and Onwuzurike, Sorsdal and Lovett are three players who could end up being surprise cuts when the 2026 season approaches.