The Detroit Lions will face some big decisions on their offensive line this offseason, which could lead the team to using some draft capital on improving the unit.
The Lions struggled on offense as they fell to a 9-8 season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022. The offensive line had once been one of the strongest in the league showed some cracks, which ground the running game to a halt and left quarterback Jared Goff facing significant pressure at times.
The unit could face even more changes as veterans Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow consider retirement. That could force the Lions to make a big investment into the unit, with one insider predicting they will target a “rare” talent at tackle in the NFL draft.
Lions Could Use Top Pick to Bolster Offensive Line
SI.com’s Christian Booher broke down a list of potential targets for the Lions in the upcoming draft, predicting they could use their top pick on Utah tackle Spencer Fano. Booher noted that Fano is an athletic prospect who could potentially shoot up the draft board, putting him beyond Detroit’s reach.
“One of the best athletes in this year’s crop of offensive linemen and one-half of a solid tackle duo at Utah, Fano projects as a surefire first-round pick,” Booher wrote. “While it remains to be seen if he makes it to Detroit’s pick, there would be a lot to like about a potential pairing between he and Penei Sewell.”
Booher noted that Fano has been strong as both a run and pass blocker, which could make him a valuable asset to the well-rounded Lions. But the SI.com writer warned that it could take a jump up the draft board if the Lions truly want to land him.
“His movement skills have been described as ‘rare,’ and he appears to have what it takes to be a high-level producer in both the pass and run game at the NFL level,” Booher wrote. “If Fano slips on draft night, or the Lions have the ability to trade up, Fano makes a lot of sense for Detroit.”
Lions Could Look to Free Agency
Christian Romo of the Detroit Free Press suggested that the Lions could look to free agency to fill some of their holes on the offensive line, though much would depend on whether Decker decides to retire or return for another season.
“Still, there are options for the Lions at the position if needed,” Romo wrote. “The biggest name is probably Green Bay’s Rasheed Walker, who looks to become a free agent after the playoffs. Once a seventh-round draft pick, the soon-to-be 26-year-old Walker has become a three-year starter for the Packers and an indispensable part of quarterback Jordan Love’s pass protection.”
Romo added that there could be some short-term solutions as well, including Braden Smith, the eight-year veteran with the Indianapolis Colts. He also named Cam Robinson, who joined the Cleveland Browns through a midseason trade.
“Neither would present an upgrade over Decker, especially since both would be over 30 when the 2026 season starts, but they might be better options than a first-round selection who might take a couple years to round into form,” Romo wrote.
Lions Predicted to Add ‘Rare’ Talent to Help QB Jared Goff