Getty USA Today's Lions Wire's Russell Brown proposed head coach Dan Campbell and the Detroit Lions signing veteran offensive lineman Andrus Peat in NFL free agency.
The Detroit Lions signed interior offensive lineman Graham Glasgow to a 1-year, prove-it deal last offseason. That worked out for both the Lions and Glasgow, as he played well and signed a new 3-year deal this March. A similar plan could be on the table this year for the Lions with veteran offensive lineman Andrus Peat.
USA Today’s Lions Wire’s Russell Brown proposed Detroit targeting Peat on a 1-year contract “to prove himself” in 2024.
“We’ve seen the Lions take a swing on players who were with the Saints when Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn were there,” Brown wrote. “Offensive lineman Andrus Peat is one of those players.
“At 30 years old, his play is somewhat on the decline, but the 3-time Pro Bowler (2018-2020) should have enough in the tank for a season or two in Detroit.
“Time will tell, but I could see him getting a one-year deal to prove himself to another organization.”
Peat has spent his entire 9-year career with the New Orleans Saints. But with the Saints, he has played every offensive line position but center.
From 2018-20, Peat made three consecutive Pro Bowls.
During 2023, Peat made 12 starts while predominantly playing left tackle.
Could Lions Target Offensive Lineman Andrus Peat in NFL Free Agency?
With Glasgow’s re-signing, the Lions will return four of their five starting offensive linemen from 2023. That’s great news for Detroit, as Pro Football Focus ranked the Lions offensive line the second-best offensive front during the 2023 campaign.
The lone starter Detroit will lose from the unit this offseason is left guard Jonah Jackson. He signed a 3-year, $51 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams at the beginning of NFL free agency.
So, if the Lions add a starter to their offensive line before the NFL draft, it will very likely be a left guard.
Although Peat played left tackle last season, he has mostly played left guard during his career. That’s where he started for the Saints when he made his three straight Pro Bowls.
Lions head coach Dan Campbell was an assistant coach with the Saints during Peat’s three years as a Pro Bowler.
In addition to Brown, USA Today’s Lions Wire’s Zack Moran connected the Lions to Peat.
“Peat’s primary position has been left guard throughout his career, coincidentally aligning with the vacancy left by Jonah Jackson’s departure,” wrote Moran.
“Projections suggest a modest one-year contract worth four million dollars for Peat, fitting well within the Lions’ financial parameters. Considering Campbell’s familiarity with Peat, his veteran presence, and his adaptable skill set, Peat emerges as a compelling target for the Lions to pursue.”
Peat could compete with unproven interior offensive linemen Kayode Awosika and Colby Sorsdal to start at left guard for the Lions in 2024. Those two offensive linemen appear to be Detroit’s best internal options to replace Jackson.
Other Potential Offensive Line Targets for Lions
Most of the top free agents signed new contracts during the first week of the new NFL year. But there are still some quality veterans the Lions could target as interior offensive line additions.
Both Brown and Moran argued guard Dalton Risner could be a free agent candidate for Detroit.
PFF ranked Risner the fourth-best available guard when NFL free agency began. Interestingly, he was ahead of Jackson, who came in at eighth, on that free agent guard list.
Veteran guards Kevin Zeitler and Laken Tomlinson are two other guards still available. Zeitler is the superior player of those two options. He just made his first Pro Bowl but turned 34 years old on March 8.
The Lions originally drafted Tomlinson in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. He made the Pro Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 and turned 32 in February.
The Lions appear to have some options if they wish to add a veteran guard. But Peat’s versatility and previous connection with Campbell likely make him the most probable potential target.