Lions predicted to add Taylor Decker successor in award-winning offensive tackle

The Detroit Lions have sported an elite offensive line for multiple years now, but that group is slowly turning over.

After replacing Jonah Jackson with Kevin Zeitler last season, Zeitler has now moved on to play for the Tennessee Titans.

The retirement of Frank Ragnow leaves the Lions in need of a replacement at center, which is expected to be either rookie Tate Ratledge or veteran Graham Glasgow. The loser of that competition will probably take one guard spot, and Christian Mahogany will likely take the other.

The next potential departures to keep an eye on down the road are Glasgow and Taylor Decker, whose contracts run through 2026 and 2027, respectively.

Charlie Campbell of Walter Football is already thinking ahead and he has the Lions drafting Georgia offensive tackle Earnest Greene III with the No. 29 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Taylor Decker will be in the last year of his contract in 2027, and the Lions could put his big salary towards re-signing the likes of Aidan Hutchinson, Brian Branch, Sam LaPorta, and Jameson Williams. Here’s a tackle to pair with Penei Sewell.

Greene was Georgia’s starter at left tackle in 2023 and played well. The 6-foot-4, 320-pounder fits with some other Bulldogs left tackles who have not been typical edge protectors in terms of size, but he is strong and athletic.

As Campbell notes, even if Decker keeps playing at a high level over the next few years, the Lions may want to cut some salary with so many big contract extensions coming up in the next few years, which puts a tackle on the board for them in 2026.

At left tackle in 2024, the 6-foot-4, 320-pound lineman, who is moving over to right tackle this year, surrendered two sacks, 10 hurries and 18 pressures while also posting a 59.5 overall grade, per Pro Football Focus. While not a great showing, it is important to note that Greene was playing through injury.

Looking ahead to this season, if the former award-winning tackle (2023 SEC All-Freshman Team) wants to cement himself as a first-round pick, he's got to stay healthy and perform at a high level.

There will be plenty of eyes on Georgia in 2025, so Greene isn't going to fly under the radar one way or the other.

If he steps his game up, he could be an option for Detroit late in the first round. The Lions could groom him as the future at left or right tackle, depending on what they want to do with Penei Sewell once Decker departs.