The Lions Might Already Have One Foot Out the Door on Avonte Maddox
Training camp has a way of turning depth into dead weight. One position battle goes the wrong way and suddenly a veteran with a decent salary is staring at the practice squad or a one-way ticket out of Allen Park.
Around the NFC North, there are a few names floating around as potential trade candidates once rosters tighten up. And surprise, the Lions have one too.
Detroit’s Math Problem at Safety
Avonte Maddox is a veteran who could be traded or cut before the regular season. If Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch both come back healthy, the Lions suddenly have a numbers problem.
Christian Izien does the same versatile cornerback-slash-safety thing Maddox does. He’s younger. And on the veteran side, Chuck Clark has been a starter longer and has been around the league longer than Maddox.
So where does that leave him? Competing for a spot at the bottom of the depth chart where the Lions are really looking for special teams contributors. And Maddox is almost overqualified for that role, which sounds like a compliment until you realize it means he doesn’t fit.
Good Player, Bad Roster Fit
This isn’t a talent issue. Maddox is a solid player. But the math just doesn’t work in his favor.
If Detroit decides to keep as many young legs and special teams bodies as possible, Maddox becomes the odd man out. And if that happens, some other team is going to get a pretty good safety after training camp shakes out.
The Rest of the North Has Trade Bait Too
The Vikings might move on from linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. if someone steps up on special teams. He’s making $3.52 million and sitting fourth on the depth chart after getting replaced by Eric Wilson due to poor pass coverage and lateral movement. That’s expensive for a guy who only shines in one phase of the game.
The Bears could flip offensive lineman Jordan McFadden. He played well when called to start on short notice in the playoffs, but now he’s battling two promising young guards in Luke Newman and UDFA rookie Caden Barnett, and Chicago already explored moving him last year.
And the Packers might trade tight end Luke Musgrave, who can catch but lacks blocking ability in Matt LaFleur’s system. Tucker Kraft passed him on the depth chart, and it’s hard to see Green Bay paying him when his rookie deal ends.
Training Camp Always Claims Someone
Every year, a handful of veterans lose their jobs to younger, cheaper, hungrier guys. That’s the business. The Lions know it. Brad Holmes knows it. And Avonte Maddox probably knows it too.
We’ll see how it shakes out once the pads come on, but don’t be shocked if Maddox is somewhere else by the time the regular season starts.
Is Maddox a cap casualty waiting to happen or does he actually have a path to the 53-man roster? Drop your take below.
