Former Tennessee Vols defensive lineman Tyre West, a seventh-round selection by the Detroit Lions in the 2026 NFL Draft, is in danger of not making a 53-man roster to start the season.

West hasn’t played many preseason snaps with Detroit, and he’s now considered a long shot to crack the final roster as a result. 

“West was drafted as a potential rotational defensive end but didn’t log many preseason snaps and could be a long shot to make the 53-man roster,” noted ESPN’s Eric Woodyard this week. 

Seventh-round picks aren’t guaranteed a roster spot, but they typically have a better shot than undrafted free agents. 

Not making the Lions’ 53-man roster isn’t a death sentence in the NFL for Tyre West

Not making a team out of training camp doesn’t end a player’s chances of a long career in the NFL. 

Former Vols wide receiver Jauan Jennings is a great example. Jennings was a seventh-round pick by the 49ers in the 2020 NFL Draft, and he didn’t play at all as a rookie. But he eventually became a key contributor for San Francisco before landing a free agent deal with the Minnesota Vikings earlier this offseason.

West’s path could look similar as he’s a talented player who has the ability to play on Sundays. 

Vols defensive line coach Rodney Garner, in fact, told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press this past spring that West is “as gifted as anybody” he’s ever coached.

“This kid has explosiveness, he has power, he has play strength at the line of scrimmage,” said Garner of West. “He has instincts. He makes plays, that’s what he does. He makes a lot of plays.”

West will likely land on a practice squad, and from there, he needs to stay ready for when he eventually gets his chance.

I think West has the tools to carve out an NFL career. It just might not happen on the timeline he was hoping for.