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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 26: Former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan take the stage during round two of the 2024 NFL draft at Campus Martius Park on April 26, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images While there is no certainty that the Detroit Lions will select an offensive tackle with the 17th overall pick, it is certainly a high possibility. With Taylor Decker and Dan Skipper leaving this offseason and Detroit only adding Larry Borom on a one-year deal, offensive tackle remains both a short and long-term need.
This year’s draft class has some options for the Lions to upgrade the position with the 17th overall pick, but Detroit will also have to worry about other team’s who may need an offensive tackle. Given how blatant of a need it is for Detroit, there are other franchises that may be looking to jump the Lions in order to get the tackle they need.
Here are five teams the Lions need to worry about:
Eagles (23rd overall pick)
If there’s a team that values the offensive line as much (or more) than the Lions, it’s the Philadelphia Eagles, and the future of their offensive line is in danger. While All-Pro Lane Johnson announced he’s returning for 2025, he’ll be turning 36 before the start of the season and he’s been battling several injuries as of late. If the Eagles want to be proactive, this may be the draft to do so.
Trading up to ensure they get Johnson’s successor is something Eagles writer of Bleeding Green Nation Brandon Lee Gowton certainly believes is on the table, and as pointed out by our own commenter Muscle Main, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman has had a recent habit of trading up in the first round.
Browns (sixth, 24th overall picks)
Left tackle is arguably the Browns’ biggest remaining need following an active free agency that addressed nearly every offensive line position but that one. Their projected starter right now is Dawand Jones, who has dealt with major injuries in each of his three NFL season, including a season-ending knee injury that held him to just three games last year.
Cleveland could address the need with the sixth overall pick, but with wide receiver being a massive need as well, many are projecting them to take a top pass catcher early in the draft. That could mean Cleveland gets aggressive with that 24th overall pick to jump in and get their top offensive tackle on the board.
Rams (13th overall pick)
While the Rams are already ahead of the Lions in draft order, they could certainly spoil Detroit’s pick by taking a player they desperately want. Los Angeles’ tackle situation isn’t great after the retirement of Rob Havenstein. While 2023 fifth-round pick Warren McClendon Jr. has performed better than expected at right tackle, he’s entering a contract year. Left tackle Alaric Jackson is coming off his best season, but he, too, needs to get paid soon (signed through 2027).
So, the Rams could get better and cheaper at a premier position, and with minimal needs on the roster, it may be the best use of their high draft pick.
Panthers (19th overall pick)
Carolina is in a bit of a weird situation at tackle. Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu may miss the entire season with an injury suffered in the playoffs, but they were able to sign former Packers left tackle Rasheed Walker to a one-year deal. That sets them up for a difficult decision in 2027 when Ekwonu’s contract expires and he’s coming off a major injury, making a potential extension risky. Walker, if he plays well, will come pricey, as well.
Carolina could bypass those financial responsibilities by being proactive, trading up a few spots, and securing their affordable tackle of the future.
It’s also worth noting that right tackle Taylor Moton, while outstanding, will be 32 this year and is only signed through 2027. With cap hits at $21 and $28 million in the next two seasons, Moton is forcing Carolina to already spend a lot at the position. They could use cheap youth.
49ers (27th overall pick)
While things seem to be trending in a positive direction for a contractual dispute with All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams, the 49ers have a big hole at left guard, and Williams is entering his 38-year-old season. In an ideal world for San Francisco, they land an offensive line talent who can slide into left guard early and eventually supplant Williams at left tackle. A lot of tackle prospects fit that exact profile, so if the 49ers get impatient at 27 and really like one prospect in particular, they could try to jump Detroit with a massive trade.
While that would be an aggressive move for San Francisco, they have a pretty complete roster and they do have four fourth-round picks (but no third, fifth, sixth, or seventh rounders) to work with.
