Making Call on the Detroit Lions' Hardest Remaining Cuts

The unfortunate side effect of training camp is its temporary nature.

The Detroit Lions have brought in over 90 guys who held contracts to play at least the 2015 season, but the grisly reality is at least 27 of them—almost a third—will be out of a job come the second week of September.

And that's if the Lions use all of their practice squad slots on players currently on the roster, which is no guarantee.

Nobody likes delivering the summons with a "bring your playbook" thrown in. The Lions have a lot of tough decisions and awkward conversations in their future. Click through to find five players who need a strong three weeks to avoid that ominous invitation.

DT Jermelle Cudjo

Uncredited/Associated Press

The defensive line's makeover won't use one-for-one trades to set off the early offseason losses.

Haloti Ngata won't be everything Ndamukong Suh was. Caraun Reid isn't C.J. Mosley. As we've been discussing for months now, it'll take a collective effort to make up for the deficit in talent.

Therefore, the best way for a fringe player to make this team is by making plays to add depth to a rotation that will lean on more players than last year.

Jermelle Cudjo has made some. In addition to his fumble recovery and tackle in the preseason opener, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press has been noting his play for a couple of weeks.

However, Corey Wootton has been making plays, too. The large (6'6", 270 lbs) defensive end showed his strong opposition to the run, racking up two defensive stops and a pair of quarterback hurries, per Pro Football Focus.

Wootton's trump card is his versatility. He can work both inside and outside, giving Detroit the flexibility it needs to put as many playmakers on the field as possible.

S Isaiah Johnson

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Isaiah Johnson finds himself in a similar situation to Jermelle Cudjo. The starter is well entrenched at his position, and there's a strong competition for the few spots behind him.

And to make matters even more congruent, there's a veteran swingman who can play multiple positions.

To be sure, Don Carey won't garner any Pro Bowl votes this season. But Johnson can't equal his ability to play either safety position semi-competently and fill in as the nickelback.

Luckily for Johnson, there is one major difference. Since he is an undrafted free agent, he's still eligible for the practice squad, giving him a chance to keep his dream alive.

OT Corey Robinson

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

The Lions have been trying to solve their fourth offensive tackle problem since last year's opener. Perhaps problem is a strong word considering it's technically the backup's backup.

Regardless, Michael Williams and seventh-round pick Corey Robinson are the main competitors. Through one game, it isn't particularly close.

Robinson doesn't look ready for the NFL yet. Cornelius Lucas looked better prepared last August than Robinson does now, and it was a rough road for Lucas in 2014.

While Williams was the only one to give up a quarterback pressure against the Jets, the former tight end was solidly paving the way for the ground game, showing enough athleticism to handle the outside zone.

Detroit's starting right tackle has been putting in sled work on the sidelines, looking more like a Week 1 probable than a doubtful. Hopefully for Detroit, that means this role never comes into play.

WR Greg Salas

Duane Burleson/Associated Press

The last two here will raise the blood pressure of a few readers, so let's start of with the more easily justified of the pair.

Let's say the Lions keep five receivers. We can go ahead and probably pencil in Corey Fuller, Golden Tate and Calvin Johnson. And whoever wins the returner job will likely take up another one.

That leaves one spot for four or five candidates, depending on how you feel about Andrew Peacock. He's a practice squad guy for our sake here.

So now Greg Salas has to beat out Lance Moore, Ryan Broyles and possibly TJ Jones. Despite one preseason game with 92 yards, it's a long shot on par with me picking the proper fantasy football lineup.

Salas can't beat Broyles or Jones on athleticism, and Moore is the resident master of the playbook. Maybe he's the George Johnson of wide receivers. It's more likely he's the Bryant Johnson.

RB Zach Zenner

Nati Harnik/Associated Press

Just give me one second to explain.

I don't hate Zach Zenner. I didn't go to the University of South Dakota. I harbor no prejudice for the mighty Jackrabbits.

Zenner was even a much more effective runner than George Winn against the Jets. He averaged 4.2 yards. Winn put up 0.6 yards per carry.

There's still a problem.

I haven't seen Zenner run with the first-team punt or kick coverage units. And unless Zenner proves to be the next Ameer Abdullah (couldn't help myself), there won't be room for him on the roster.

Of course, Detroit would like to have an effective runner at the fourth spot. But if the special teams value isn't there, the Lions would have to carve out a spot from another position for the third-string running back's backup. That's not happening.

All advanced statistics, grades and positional rankings are courtesy of Pro Football Focus.

Brandon Alisoglu is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist who has written about the Lions on multiple sites. He also co-hosts a Lions-centric podcast, Lions Central Radio. Yell at him on Twitter about how wrong he is @BrandonAlisoglu.