While there’s been plenty of focus surrounding the 2026 NFL draft, now that the event is over, it’s time for teams, including the Detroit Lions, to part with players before the June 1 salary-cap milestone.
For the Lions, Brad Holmes is a nickel-and-dime kind of general manager, so he’ll surely make headlines before June 1 when finalizing the team’s lineup by cutting certain players. Following the draft, the team will have a clearer picture of which players they need to keep and who they can afford to cut.
Detroit Lions’ offense is solid, but they need help when it comes to offensive tackle and edge, which they did get in the draft. After getting that help, the team may be on track to cut a veteran player for the sake of cap space.
Detroit Lions Tight End Could Part With Team Before 2026-27 Season
It may make sense for the Detroit Lions and tight end Brock Wright, who has made an estimated $10.5 million according to research from Over the Cap, to part ways before June 1. According to Over the Cap, the team would save $3.58 million if they do so.
The Lions already have an elite tight end in Sam LaPorta and also have Tyler Conkin on the roster. Wright stepped in for LaPorta during the latter’s injury last season, but during his time filling in, he clocked only 108 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers may not be high enough for the team to warrant keeping him.
In a feature for Detroit Jock City, Ernesto Cova says that Wright may be on “borrowed time.” When talking about Conkin’s numbers last season, Cova says, “That usage isn’t going to get much higher once LaPorta is back to full strength, and Conklin will most likely handle most of the TE2 duties, so there’s simply no room or need for him anymore.”
“If anything, this team needs as much cap space and roster spots to address other areas of need, mostly on the defensive side of the field,” Cova adds. “Wright might be a beloved and respected player in the building because of his history as a former undrafted free agent, but this is could be the end of the line for him in Detroit.”
Detroit Lions Still Have Life in Way Too Early Power Rankings
It’s too early to think about NFL power rankings, but let’s do it, anyway. The Score has the Lions at No. 15, falling from No. 10 before the draft.
“The Lions needed to take an offensive tackle and edge rusher early in the NFL draft, but were Blake Miller (17th overall) and Derrick Moore (44th) really the best options at those positions?” the outlet notes. “Detroit, which has been retooling its trenches this offseason, probably could’ve done more with its first picks this year.”
He adds that “this team has work to do before we can talk about another deep playoff run.”
Frankly, Miller and Moore were solid picks, and yes, they really were the best options at that point in the draft. Now that the Detroit Lion are taking care of business in the draft, their power ranking status should go up before the first game of the 2026-27 season.
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