4 Detroit Lions who won't make the 53-man roster in 2024

4. WR Antoine Green

Green was an interesting seventh-round flier by the Lions in the 2023, with a faint idea he could have a path to a notable role immediately. That did not come close to happening. He was active for the first nine regular season games last season, with one catch on two targets. In perhaps the most telling thing, with the team being as good as it was, 33 of his 106 offensive snaps came in the blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens and was a healthy scratch for the rest of the regular season after Week 10. He did play a little in all three playoff games.

There is a small segment of Lions' fans who see Green as a potential replacement for the now-departed Josh Reynolds next season. That would be quite a jump in his role for Year 2, to say nothing of having to usurp Kalif Raymond, Donovan Peoples-Jones and maybe a highly-drafted rookie in the pecking order for targets.

Green should have an opportunity to shine in preseason games, when the Lions' key players rest and don't risk injury in meaningless games. But he feels like an ideal practice squad guy, and one there won't be much risk of losing to another team when he's cut or having him poached off the practice squad.