3. TE James Mitchell, 5th Round (Pick No. 177), 2022
Completing the recovery from a torn ACL in his final college season gave Mitchell a little bit of a mulligan for his rookie season. Then, Sam LaPorta's arrival last year blocked any remote idea of a second-year emergence. In fact, Mitchell played one more game last year than he did as a rookie but he played fewer offensive snaps with just two catches (compared to 11 catches as a rookie).
Mitchell enters the preseason finale firmly on the roster bubble, with his status possibly somewhat dependent on how many tight ends the Lions keep on the 53-man roster. The "Brad Holmes pick" may play into the equation too, if you want to believe that.
Let's get right down to it. If Mitchell is going to fully realize whatever potential he has, the path to doing it in Detroit is blocked. He may be among those showcased against the Steelers, with his best opportunity naturally being elsewhere one way or another.
2. LB Malcolm Rodriguez, 6th Round (Pick No. 188), 2022
Rodriguez showed himself as a Day 3 steal during his rookie season, starting 15 games with 87 total tackles and eight tackles for loss. Then the arrival of Jack Campbell last year naturally shifted his role toward primarily special teams, along with some stray snaps as a fullback.
"Rodrigo" has not played in either preseason game so far, and he has not been able to practice. His status for the preseason finale is unclear, but ideally he'll be able to suit up and lock in what has all along been a presumed spot on the 53-man roster. But as well as Ben Niemann has played this preseason, maybe we shouldn't have been assuming Rodriguez is a roster lock.
In some sense, like Mitchell, Rodriguez would benefit from a change of scenery in terms of sheer opportunity to play or start. He could be a surprise cut (as hinted by Mike Payton of AtoZ Sports), or a trade candidate as the start of the season approaches.
Regardless, it's quite possible Rodriguez will play his last as a Lion on Saturday. Or if he's physically unable to, maybe he already has played his last game as a Lion.