2017 roster cuts: Lions waive 7th-round pick Pat O’Connor

The Detroit Lions are in serious need for some defensive end help, but the only one they drafted this year will not be helping out this season. According to the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett, seventh-round draft choice Pat O’Connor has been waived.

O’Connor was the Lions’ final selection in the 2017 NFL Draft. The local Eastern Michigan product tallied 20 sacks in three years in his college career and earned first-team All-MAC honors in his final year.

But with the Lions, O’Connor didn’t flash much. Despite having the opportunity to compete for a significant role on this year’s defensive line, O’Connor was overshadowed by undrafted rookies Jeremiah Valoaga and Alex Barrett.

This is probably a good sign for both Valoaga and Barrett going forward, but the Lions are expected to be in the market for a defensive end as other teams continue to unload their players. As for O’Connor, he is a good candidate to make the practice squad.

Follow all of the Lions’ cuts today with our 2017 Detroit Lions cuts tracker.