The majority of teams in the NFL are off for the next couple of weeks before returning for training camp next month. Organized team activities and mandatory minicamps are done for all but a select few, allowing the Detroit Lions to breathe before the action resumes in July.
This offseason has been about change for the Lions, as they saw multiple coaches and players head elsewhere. One departure was that of cornerback Kindle Vildor, who inked a one-year deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as soon as free agency opened.
While his outlook may have been promising when he put pen to paper, things can quickly change in the NFL.
Former Lions CB Kindle Vildor Could Be on His Way Out of Tampa
Vildor spent two seasons with the Lions before departing for the Buccaneers in free agency. He was looking to compete for a depth spot in the secondary, but that may not be a real option for him going forward.
The Bucs have Zyon McCollum, Jamel Dean, and Tykee Smith as the three likely starters at cornerback. Meanwhile, they also have 2025 second-round pick Benjamin Morrison and 2025 third-round pick Jacob Parrish in the rotation.
That's not to mention Josh Hayes, Tyrek Funderburk, Roman Parodie, and Bryce Hall are in that room fighting for a spot. That makes things hard for Vildor to crack the rotation, and there's a chance he gets released ahead of training camp.
It's clear that McCollum, Dean, Smith, Morrison, and Parrish will make the roster. With five spots arguably locked up, it'll be an uphill climb for the former Lion corner to stick on this team.
In 68 career games (26 starts) with the Lions, Chicago Bears, and Tennessee Titans, he has recorded 124 total tackles, 15 pass deflections, and one interception. Vildor has done most of his damage on special teams.
Vildor has never posted higher than a 59 overall grade per Pro Football Focus. Last season, he had a 48.3 overall grade (192nd among 222 graded cornerbacks) and a 47.9 coverage grade (188th among 222 graded cornerbacks).
It'll be interesting to see how the Bucs' cornerback room shakes out. If he doesn't step up soon, it will be hard for Vildor to crack the roster.
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