All mock draft season long, most experts have had the Lions taking an edge-rusher or an interior defensive lineman with the 28th overall pick.
Just this week, we are starting to see offensive linemen pop up in some Lions mock drafts. Now, around this time every year, draft experts like to get a little creative with their mock drafts, but I do think offensive line is a real option for the Lions.
With players like Taylor Decker and Graham Glasgow in their 30s and Frank Ragnow playing through injuries for seven seasons, the Lions can't just bank on their offensive line staying dominant if they don't work on it. After Kevin Zeitler left in the offseason, Penei Sewell remains the only long-term guarantee on the Lions' offensive line.
One expert believes the Lions should get ahead of a Taylor Decker retirement
Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports put his draft week mock draft out and had the Lions taking Josh Conerly Jr., an offensive tackle from Oregon.
While not the flashiest pick in the world, Jones believes that Conerly "loves ball" and is a perfect fit for a coach like Dan Campbell. With Decker in the back half of his career, this could be a great long-term play for the Lions, as well as a depth piece in case of injury in the meantime.
According to Lance Zierlein's draft analysis and Next Gen Stats, Conerly is listed as the fifth-best offensive tackle in the draft.
"Conerly is young and needs more development, but he should become a good starter at tackle or guard," said NFL.com draft analyst Zierlein.
While the Lions should probably draft a guard if they choose to go with the offensive lineman route, a long-term play is never a bad idea for an already great roster.
Guard may be the Lions' biggest offensive need in the draft
Chad Reuter of NFL.com released his final mock draft and has the Lions addressing their need at guard by taking Tyler Booker from Alabama. Brad Holmes has not been shy about his love for Alabama players, taking Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, Brian Branch, and Terrion Arnold in recent years.
Kevin Zeitler was an absolute steal for the Lions late in free agency last season and was a star when healthy for Detroit. Veteran Graham Glasgow played most of the season on the opposite side of Zeitler and had one of his worst career years, according to PFF.
Glasgow finished with a 56.2 pass blocking grade (88th/136), 57.8 run blocking grade (91st/136), and a 57.9 overall grade (85th/136). Saying the Lions need to improve at guard is a massive understatement.
Enter Booker, a guard who has started the past two seasons at Alabama and started the Sugar Bowl in his freshman season. In two seasons as a full-time starter, he has allowed just two sacks on over 2,000 snaps. He possesses a trait that Holmes and Campbell hold in high regard, as he was the captain in 2024 for Alabama.
While he isn't the best athlete, experts see the potential in him due to his vast knowledge of the game and his position.
Booker seems like one of the most Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes players I have ever seen, and if they do decide to work on the offensive line with the 28th pick, this is the route I see them going.
