Roundtable: Who Could Be Lions Next Salary-Cap Casualty?

1.) Do you think Aaron Glenn deserved a contract extension?

Christian Booher: I do believe he deserved a contract extension. I think he has shown he has the necessary chops to be a good defensive coordinator, which he especially displayed in the second half of the season.

There were still issues, particularly in the loss to Carolina. However, I believe the extension signals a commitment to upgrading the defense. This should allow Glenn to shine as the unit's coordinator.

Vito Chirco: As much as the defense improved down the stretch of the 2022 campaign (outside of the team's lackluster performance in Week 16 against Carolina), I'm going to say no.

Facts are facts, and the Lions still allowed the fifth-most points in the NFL this past season (25.1 points a game). And, it came a season after Glenn's unit allowed the second-most points in the league (27.5 points/game).

Glenn seems to be well liked by members of the roster, and it's certainly a credit to him that the team's defenders play hard for him.

But, in my opinion, it doesn't also mean that he deserved to receive a contract extension from the organization.

2.) What position group at the combine are you most interested in watching?

Booher: Definitely the defensive linemen. There are several players at the position who have been mocked to the Lions in the first round, including Myles Murphy and Tyree Wilson. Throw in Jalen Carter and Will Anderson, two of the best prospects in the draft, and there's plenty of talent to see within this group.

In addition to that, there are a pair of local players working their way up draft boards. Central Michigan's Thomas Incoom and Ferris State's Caleb Murphy both should be drafted, but a good showing would boost their stock. I have covered Incoom, and Murphy set the NCAA record for sacks in a single season last year. Local ties aside, they're two good players from smaller schools who could shine on the big stage.

Chirco: I'm going to go with the cornerbacks. And, it's for the simple fact that a variety of players at the position have been mocked to the Lions recently at both No. 6 and No. 18 overall. The list ranges from Illinois' Devon Witherspoon and Oregon's Christian Gonzalez at No. 6 overall, to the likes of Penn State's Joey Porter Jr., South Carolina's Cam Smith, Maryland's Deonte Banks and Alabama's Brian Branch at No. 18 overall.

I personally feel like there's a strong likelihood that Detroit nabs a cornerback in the first round. And, I wouldn't be surprised if Lions general manager Brad Holmes and the team's scouting department decide to use the combine to determine who's more deserving of being selected with the No. 6 pick: Witherspoon or Gonzalez.

3.) Do you think Bobby Wagner would fit in Lions' defense?

Booher: I do think he would fit with the defense, but I'm not sure he and the Lions would be a perfect marriage. His 2022 season shows he's got plenty left in the tank, but Detroit has shown its commitment to getting younger under general manager Brad Holmes.

I think his leadership would be valuable in the locker room, and he'd be the most polished backer on the roster, if he were to come to Detroit. I'm just not certain Holmes will change his mindset, from what he's done since taking over, to add the 32-year-old linebacker.

Chirco: I do think Wagner would be a fit and would instantly upgrade the quality of the Lions' linebackers room. Just look at his numbers from this past season: 140 total tackles, including 10 tackles for loss, to go along with 10 QB hits, six sacks and two interceptions.

However, I don't think Holmes will be heavily pursuing a linebacker who will be 33 come next season, and will most likely demand a multi-year contract in free agency. At this present juncture, I don't envision Holmes & Co. being in favor of such a move.

4.) Who will be Lions' next cap casualty?

Booher: I think Halapoulivaati Vaitai will be next. Missing the entire season due to injury hurt his future stock, and his contract isn't favorable moving forward. By cutting ties with him this offseason, the Lions could create valuable cap space heading into what could be a pivotal free-agency period.

If not Vaitai, keep an eye out for either Romeo Okwara or Charles Harris. The emergence of James Houston has allowed for Detroit to commit to its youth up front, which would make both Okwara and Harris expendable.

Chirco: I think it's bound to be Halapoulivaati Vaitai, just like Booher. The time has come to move on from the veteran offensive lineman, who failed to play a single snap during the 2022 season. Utility lineman Evan Brown performed admirably in Vaitai's place this past season. And, if brought back in free agency, Brown could once again be the Lions' starter at right guard in 2023.

If Detroit does decide to part ways with Vaitai, the organization would incur a dead-cap hit of $5,896,389 for the 2023 season.

5.) Daniel Jeremiah said Anthony Richardson has a higher ceiling than Jared Goff. Do you agree?

Booher: Absolutely. I think Richardson has all the traits to become a star in the NFL. He has a live arm and extreme mobility. However, he's far from a finished project, and will require development entering the league.

While I agree that Richardson's ceiling is higher, I also believe his floor is lower than Goff's. While there's uncertainty about what Richardson will be in the NFL, Goff has become an established starter, and has reached a Super Bowl. Last season, the Lions' current signal-caller played some of the best football of his career.

Richardson has the potential to take a team to new heights, but there's no guarantee. While Goff doesn't possess the game-breaking traits that the incoming rookie does, he's become a quality starter in the NFL.

Chirco: I don't really agree with that take from Jeremiah. The reason why: Goff was a No. 1 overall pick for a reason. Sure, he's no dual-threat quarterback, and doesn't possess the ability to get out of the pocket and break off a long run (as Richardson does). However, Goff is a proven pocket passer (which is still important in today's game), and Richardson isn't.

Richardson is an exciting QB prospect, and does possess a ton of upside. And, he also is equipped with a very strong arm. But, I wouldn't touch him with the No. 6 or the No. 18 overall picks. In my eyes, there's just too much uncertainty with the former Florida Gator quarterback's ability to be an accurate passer at the next level.

So, as much as I like Richardson as a prospect, I'm not willing to say that he has a higher ceiling than the incumbent Lions starter under center.