After trading up for Isaac TeSlaa from Arkansas in the third round of the NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions subsequently cut former seventh-rounder Antoine Green.
The Lions selected Green with the 219th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft after finishing his college career at North Carolina. Green played five seasons at UNC, putting up over 1,400 yards and 12 TDs in his final two seasons combined.
The North Carolina wide receiver was not a highly touted prospect entering the NFL Draft, but Brad Holmes and the Lions liked his size and mobility enough to take a chance on him in the seventh round.
After accumulating just one catch in 2023, Green suffered a concussion in the 2024 preseason, leading him to be waived by the Lions. Once Green cleared waivers, he came back to the Lions and sat on injured reserve for the entire season.
Hopefully, Green's career is not over, but concussions are very serious, especially in today's NFL.
Lions' bold move for Isaac TeSlaa gives Jared Goff more options
After cutting Green, the Lions' WR corps looks strong. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick, TeSlaa, and Kalif Raymond all look to be impactful pass options for Jared Goff — Holmes shut down any rumors about Williams' future.
St. Brown is an All-Pro who ranked top five in receptions, yards, and touchdowns last season. He has already received an extension to keep him in Detroit and is a cornerstone of this offense in the pass-catching department.
The Lions picked up Williams' fifth-year option following his first 1,000-yard season as a pro. Williams missed much of his first two seasons due to a suspension and rehab from a knee injury he suffered in college, but came on the scene in full force in 2024. Jamo is one of the fastest players in the game, and his speed is exactly what the Lions need to take the top off a defense.
Patrick and Raymond serve as fifth or sixth options for this Lions offense behind St. Brown, Williams, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs. Patrick is a reliable WR who can make catches over the middle of the field and utilize his great route-running. Raymond is a speedster who doubles as a punt returner, providing infinite value to the Detroit offense.
Improving the WR room was imperative for the Lions in the NFL Draft, and Holmes believes that drafting TeSlaa was the right move in that direction. Unfortunately, that means it's the end of the road for Green in Detroit, but Lions fans wish him the best.