Training camp is nearly over for the Detroit Lions and the rest of the NFL. Cutdown Day arrives Sunday, and a flurry of players will hit the waiver wire or head to free agency. Detroit should have its eyes on several names across multiple positions, from quarterbacks to offensive linemen. The Lions still have roster needs to address, and the post-cut market could offer real value for a team looking to add depth before the 2026 regular season.

Let’s break it down by position.

Quarterbacks

Will Levis, Tennessee Titans

I already wrote a full-length article about why I think this would work out, but I just think he has a lot of potential. He was at the absolute worst place to grow that potential. I look at Levis as a Sam Darnold-type quarterback who just needs to be in the right spot. The Lions have a coaching staff full of former NFL quarterbacks and former quarterback coaches. This is the best place for a player like that to come and grow his game. If Levis hits the market, I’m going after him.

Aidan O’Connell, Las Vegas Raiders

He’s behind Fernando Mendoza and Kirk Cousins, so it’s pretty clear he’s probably going to get cut. He’s looked good this summer, and I won’t be the first person to tell you that O’Connell and the Lions could be a good fit. He has some potential, much like Levis does. He’s just in a spot where he’s not going to get any opportunity. O’Connell has started plenty of games in the NFL. He’s 27, so he’s a little bit older, but you look at him and think this guy makes a ton of sense as a premium backup quarterback. I like what he could potentially bring to Detroit, and I think you could bring him in and feel comfortable with him at QB2 over Luke Altmyer. Maybe the Lions even consider a three-quarterback setup.

Offensive linemen

Michael Jordan, Philadelphia Eagles

No, not the Michael Jordan from the Chicago Bulls, even though Michael Jordan was a guard. I’m talking about Michael Jordan from Philadelphia. This guy has 49 career starts. Multiple Eagles projections have Jordan getting cut despite that significant starting resume. If he hits the open market, I would expect the Lions would definitely be interested. He is 28 years old, so he’d be a free agent rather than someone Detroit could claim. He’s been around, but he has that experience. If they brought him in, I wouldn’t put him over Christian Mahogany, but I would definitely consider him as a depth piece who can come in and help when you need it. He’s played both left guard and right guard. He’s a good pass blocker who could use some work in the run game, but again, this is a guy coming off the bench. You’re not expecting him to start.

Evan Neal, New York Giants

We don’t 100% know if he’s going to be cut. He’s on some projection lists as a cut and not on others. The former 7th overall pick from the 2022 NFL Draft is somebody I would keep an eye on. It just has not worked out in New York at all. He didn’t even play during the 2025 season. He’s somebody I totally expect to be available. Neal has played well in the preseason this year, allowing just one pressure and one sack against Miami this past weekend. He’s played right guard this summer but could also play tackle, which is where the Giants originally drafted him. I look at him as a potential tackle-guard option who can help in multiple spots. While Larry Borom is Detroit’s swing tackle, I still think the Lions could use one more tackle. Neal is going to be out there looking for an opportunity because it just didn’t work out in New York. If I were the Lions, I’d be one of the teams thinking about giving him that opportunity.

The post-cut market is always unpredictable, but these are the names worth watching. Detroit has the roster infrastructure and coaching staff to develop players who haven’t found the right fit elsewhere. Let’s see who actually becomes available Sunday.

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