3 Lions Players Who Won't Survive in Detroit Beyond This Season

The 2019 NFL season was a difficult one for head coach Matt Patricia and the Detroit Lions. Mounted by injuries to quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Lions struggled to compete in the NFC North, finishing 3-12-1 overall.

In 2020, the Lions look to rebound with a healthy Stafford and a new defense despite the losses of players like Darius Slay. However, Detroit must figure out who will fit their new system moving forward as they hope to make significant strides behind Patricia, who needs to prove himself in Year 3 at the helm.

Here are 3 players who might not make it past this season in a Lions' uniform, as Patricia cannot afford patience at a time like this.

3. Wes Hills (RB)

Wes Hills during a Lions game in the 2019 season / Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

While Wes Hills has only completed one season in the NFL, he also doesn't play a significant role in the Lions weekly gameplan. Hill has spent most of his time on Detroit's practice squad, and has been kept out of games for "healthy scratches". Regardless, he hasn't been able to contribute much to the Lions run game, getting 10 touches for 21 yards and 2 touchdowns. With Kerryon Johnson, DeAndre Swift and Bo Scarbrough in front of him, Hills may need to try his luck elsewhere.

2. David Blough (QB)

David Bloughe starting in a game for the Lions during the 2019 season / Rey Del Rio/Getty Images

David Blough stepped in for Matthew Stafford in 2019, but didn't do enough to guarantee a long-term roster spot in the process. Blough wasn't able to salvage the Lions' season, which was an unfair ask fro the get-go. In five starts, he completed 94 passes for 984 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. Now that the Lions signed Chase Daniels, Blough doesn't have much of a shot to contribute barring any further blows to Stafford.

1. Romeo Okwara (DE)

Romeo Okwara as a member of the Detroit Lions / Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

Entering the final year of his contract, this year is a "show me" season for Romeo Okwara. In 2019, Okwara, brought in to pressure the opposing QB, only tallied 1.5 sacks in 2019 amid 28 tackles, after he had lead the Lions in that category in 2018. If he doesn't redeem himself, Okwara could be let go with the Lions only taking a little under $2 million in dead cap.