5 Young Detroit Lions with a Chance to Improve During Lost Season

The future is now.

That statement was always befuddling. The word itself is referencing a time that has yet to pass, which is why it is in the future. Makes no sense.

But it turns out the phrase needed the proper context that the Detroit Lions are supplying now. Once the seventh loss was sewn up, and the top brass was shown the door, the 2015 season ceased to have any present value.

Thus the future had arrived.

The outcome of the next eight games will only affect draft position, so there's no need to hide the younger players on the sidelines in an effort to win games. Click through to find five players that should be featured over the next two months.

CB Alex Carter

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

The Lions have a trio of young cornerbacks in Alex Carter, Nevin Lawson and Quandre Diggs. The latter two have already combined for 238 snaps, per Pro Football Focus. However, it's the former Detroit needs to see.

Carter has been sidelined since the preseason with an ankle injury that landed him on the injured reserve with a designation to return list. Although he's been cleared to practice for the past two weeks, he hasn't been able to give it a go yet.

Detroit invested a third-round pick in him last spring. The big physical cornerback was a surprising choice at that slot and needs to return so the Lions can start charting his progress.

Plus, there's no reason to keep trotting Rashean Mathis out there. While Detroit might fear breaking Carter's confidence with some early torchings, the valuable reps are required to determine whether he's a cornerback or strong safety.

DE Devin Taylor

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Defensive end Jason Jones is an impending free agent who will be 30 by the time next season kicks off. He may not want to stick around for a rebuild if that's the direction this team takes.

With that in mind, it's imperative that Devin Taylor gets more snaps than he's been seeing.

When the third-year defensive end has been given a chance, he's been able to produce. He's second on the team with four sacks and actually has three more stops (plays that constitute an offensive failure) than Haloti Ngata despite playing just five more snaps.

His development caught a hitch last season so this bounce back is encouraging. He and Ezekiel Ansah could prove to be a solid duo for years to come.

WR Corey Fuller

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I know what you're thinking, but it just seems like Corey Fuller is at least 30. This is actually only his third year.

Fuller spent the first season on the practice squad and got his feet wet in 2014, catching 14 passes, including a game-winning, toe-tapping touchdown against New Orleans. The lanky speedster was slated for a bigger role in 2015, but he has just three catches.

Detroit knows what it has in Lance Moore. Despite his team-leading three touchdown catches, Moore will probably follow the rest of the coaching staff out the door this winter.

Considering Fuller hasn't seen the field, we can presume he hasn't polished his route running or learned to consistently create separation. Regardless, the Lions need more film on him so the new coaching staff can make its own determination.

RB Ameer Abdullah

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When Detroit had a reason to win games, Ameer Abdullah's absence made a lot of sense. He has four fumbles in 95 total touches between the offense and special teams.

However, now there's no reason to keep him confined to the sideline.

Granted, Abdullah received his early share of the opportunities. He is Detroit's leading rusher using both carries and yards as metrics after all.

But he's seen his attempts drop from a season-high 14 carries against the Chicago Bears to eight the following week and only one against the Chiefs. He might not have the coaching staff's trust, but since it doesn't matter anymore, he needs the ball.

LB Kyle Van Noy

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Martin Mayhew's trouble with the second round ultimately cost him his job. Well, that and his handling of the salary cap, the Ndamukong Suh saga and his faith in an untested offensive coordinator.

Still, it's the second round that sticks out like a sore thumb. Mikel Leshoure, Titus Young and Ryan Broyles all failed to live up to their collective draft status.

And Kyle Van Noy is on the fast track to joining them.

The second-year linebacker missed half of last season and had zero impact once he returned. That unfortunate trend has followed Van Noy into 2015 as he's logged a grand total of 26 snaps this season.

Detroit is currently using an unpredictable rotation of Josh Bynes, Travis Lewis and Tahir Whitehead at outside linebacker. Their limited upside doesn't justify keeping Van Noy on the bench, regardless of how poorly he performs.

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

Brandon Alisoglu is a Detroit Lions Featured Columnist. He also co-hosts a Lions-centric podcast, Lions Central Radio. Yell at him on Twitter @BrandonAlisoglu.