3 recently added Detroit Lions who are already cut candidates

If you were to project a Detroit Lions' 53-man roster right now, 2-3 weeks before training camp, you could write 40-something names in ink and you probably wouldn't be wrong come final cuts in late-August.

The Lions of course now have the talent level to lock in most of their 53-man roster spots in that fashion. There will be some natural battles for starting jobs and roles in training camp and the preseason, but even the losers of some of those battles will stick on the roster.

That being said, there are some players who just won't make the cut and some have been added at some point in this offseason. These three recently added players, perhaps going back to very early in the offseason, are easily cut candidates as we look ahead right now.

3 recently added players who are already cut candidates for the Detroit Lions

3. WR Tre'Quan Smith

Smith will be the only veteran wide receiver the Lions add this offseason, barring something unforeseen. He was signed to a futures deal in early February, as the clear biggest name of that group of signings. He played in just one game for the Denver Broncos last season, but he spent his first five NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints.

That time in New Orleans of course produced his tie to the Lions. Head coach Dan Campbell was the Saints' tight ends coach over Smith's first three seasons, when he had most of his best receiving production. His size and speed combo makes him a deep dark horse to earn a bigger offensive role than anyone foresees right now, and even though he's never done it there seems to be room for someone to win the kick returner job.

But Smith will have a tough battle to earn one of the last wide receiver spots on the Lions' 53-man roster, against players who are well-liked (Tom Kennedy) or more intriguing (Antoine Green, Isaiah Williams). It's possible his spot on the 90-man roster isn't his for very long once training camp starts.