The Lions have eight picks in next week's draft, with the possibility of adding more via trade.
To create some extra room on the roster, they released a trio of players Wednesday: LB Steve Longa, WR Jonathan Duhart and TE Paul Butler.
The most notable name is Longa, who spent the past four seasons in Detroit. He contributed a good bit on special teams in 2017, but tore his ACL in 2018 and hadn't seen much action since.
Duhart came to Detroit last year as an undrafted free agent out of Old Dominion -- along with fellow ODU wide receiver Travis Fulgham, drafted by Detroit in the sixth round. He was a big target who showed some promise in training camp, but he never made the active roster.
Butler signed a reserve/future contract with the Lions at the end of last season after spending most of the year on injured reserve with the Raiders.
The NFL Draft begins next Thursday.
