Make your "Captain Obvious" jokes now.

Daunte Culpepper, the Lions' projected starter, and Matthew Stafford, the Lions' projected future starter, are completely safe this year. Stanton is less so.

Stanton probably won’t be cut, since he's a better option than a random unsigned veteran, but if any QB were to go, it would be him.

"Watch Your Back" Factor: Low

Aveion Cason is like that girl who you stay with for a while because she's "pretty okay."

Then you break up because you're both convinced you can do better, and then you get back together after a few months, because neither of you can do any better, condemning you to a mediocre relationship.

That's Cason and the Lions. An undrafted free agent in 2001, Cason joined—and was released by—the St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs before signing with the Lions.

He left the team for Dallas in 2003, bounced around the league some more, then signed with the Lions again in 2006, was released in September 2007, was re-signed later that same month, was released again in September 2008, and then re-signed again in March 2009.

His primary value to the Lions has been kick returning, but they just drafted two players (Derrick Williams, Aaron Brown) expected to compete for that slot. Looks like another breakup is on the horizon.

"Watch Your Back" Factor: Moderately High

Simply put, the Lions have no place to put Colbert. He is part of a signing spree the Lions went on this offseason to fill a need (WRs needed to play any position not filled by Calvin Johnson! Apply within!) without spending too much money.

Ronald Curry getting traded away before playing a single down is the first sign that they've gone from not enough to too many receivers.

Colbert was okay last year when there was nobody else, but the top three receivers in Detroit are all but stone-carved (C. Johnson, Bryant Johnson, Dennis Northcutt), and Colbert is a poor fit in coordinator Scott Linehan’s offense.

"Watch Your Back" Factor: Pack Your Bags

Fitzsimmons was the second TE behind Michael Gaines last year.

Since then, Gaines has been traded, and the Lions have drafted and signed two rookie TEs, including the 20th overall pick.

As if that wasn't bad enough, the Lions also signed veteran Will Heller, projected to be No. 2 on the depth chart, who played with Linehan in Miami. Linehan has said publicly that he wants to use Heller more in a receiving role.

The only saving grace Fitzsimmons has is that he differs in style from Heller. Fitzsimmons is a good receiver, average blocker. Heller is a great blocker, average receiver.

But if Heller shows soft hands and good ability as a receiver in camp, as Linehan thinks he will, Fitzsimmons is on the hot seat.

"Watch Your Back" Factor: Moderately High

The Lions' guard situation is less than encouraging. Manny Ramirez’s career highlights are, according to DetroitLions.com, "played in five games with three starts in two seasons."

That's it.

Will he be cut? Probably not. The only thing the Lions lack on the offensive line more than talent is depth.

But when Jeff Backus inevitably gets moved inside to guard, it will be Ramirez's spot that he fills. Ramirez is probably safe this year, but barring a fantastic 2009 campaign, his days are numbered.

"Watch Your Back" Factor: Very Low

This spot is split between Cohen and Andre Fluellen.

Grady Jackson is in, Chuck Darby is in, Sammie Lee Hill is a project who could become a fixture, and Orien Harris just flew into town to provide a little more competition.

That’s four defensive tackles ahead of Cohen, five if you include Fluellen.

Both Cohen and Fluellen are coming off uneventful rookie campaigns.

Cohen was a seventh-round rookie who made the squad last year but compiled no stats.

Fluellen was a third-round choice out of Florida State and compiled seven tackles in eight games as the Lions experimented with him at defensive end.

My guess is Fluellen gets the edge and Cohen gets the axe, but the Lions' defensive line is as weak as the offensive line, so it is possible they both survive for depth purposes alone.

"Watch Your Back" Factor: Moderate

Ikaika Alama-Francis, taken in the same 2007 second round as Drew Stanton and Gerald Alexander, has struggled to find his niche.

He was drafted as a defensive tackle, but that was to fit into Rod Marinelli's Tampa-Two, which specifically calls for smaller, more agile defensive tackles (Alama-Francis is listed at 290 lbs.).

Jim Schwartz and his new regime have opted to try Alama-Francis out as an end, but he has Dewayne White, Jared DeVries, Cliff Avril, and Eric Hicks in front of him.

All but Hicks played and produced fairly well in Detroit last year, and Hicks himself has history with Schwartz in Tennessee.

Alama-Francis is still young, and the Lions may not be ready to give up on him just yet, but just for security’s sake, he might want to start stepping up his game sooner rather than later.

"Watch Your Back" Factor: Moderately Low

Not a big stretch here at what is likely the Lions' most talented position top to bottom.

The big three of Julian Peterson, Larry Foote, and Ernie Sims are rock solid and probably not going anywhere for a while.

Jordon Dizon has drawn early praise from defensive coordinator Gunther Cunningham, who compared his moves to Peterson.

DeAndre Levy and Zack Follett are the new faces, and Follett would have been the most likely cut...except that he’s already signed a multi-year deal.

That leaves Cody Spencer, a career special-teamer who signed a one-year deal the same day as fellow future training camp cut Aveion Cason.

Spencer, a solid special-teamer with limited reps on defense, was signed in March (read: before the draft) to fill the role that Follett will likely fill this season. That makes Spencer expendable.

Unless he plays out of his head or pays somebody off in training camp, he won’t see the end of August.

"Watch Your Back" Factor: High

It has been a good ride for the former Mr. Irrelevant.

Cornerback has been a position lacking depth for many years in Detroit, and it has helped Robinson avoid the cut until now.

Enter Phillip Buchanon, Anthony Henry, and Eric King. All three are new to the Lions this year, and all three will appear higher on the depth chart than Robinson.

Add Keith Smith into that, a veteran Lion looking to stay afloat on the depth chart (who is No. 1B on my "Watch Your Back" list, but has a little more talent and seasoning), and Robinson will likely have a hard time earning a roster spot this year.

The only thing that might keep him around is that he’s not costing much money.

"Watch Your Back" Factor: Moderately High

Thought you'd see Daniel Bullocks here? Not likely.

While Bullocks is well on his way to being a draft bust, he’s still better than almost anybody else they have to plug in.

Besides, he has been a starter for a few years now, and if the Lions really don't want him (Kalvin Pearson performed well last year and could fill in well next to Louis Delmas), they would sooner orchestrate a trade and bring in some value than cut him.

Which brings up the next point: Why did the Lions shop Gerald Alexander rather than Bullocks? Bullocks is more experienced and still holds some upside, that’s why.

Tra Battle was claimed off waivers in May after the Dallas Cowboys waived him. His few games last season with the Cowboys are his only non-practice squad experience in the NFL.

Now, I'll admit I haven't seen Battle in action much. He could surprise. But the Lions have their own expendable practice squad guy at safety: Lamarcus Hicks, who was activated last season with the release of WR John Standeford.

Ultimately, it's a toss-up between Hicks and Battle, so I give the edge to seniority, even though the system and coaches are new. More than likely, they're both retained for depth, though.

"Watch Your Back" Factor: Moderate