Detroit Lions: Early concerns for 2015

Youth along the offensive line

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Laken Tomlinson (Duke) poses for a photo with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the number twenty-eight overall pick to the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

In 2014 the Lions offensive line was a train wreck that crashed into a car wreck located in a tire fire. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford got sacked 45 times, the run game was ranked near the bottom of the league and the offense lacked the protection needed to balance itself out. The Lions made some nice moves during the offseason to fill positions of need and produce a brand new offensive line. There’s just one concern.

Youth is a scary thing. The obvious worry is, can guys like Laken Tomlinson and Travis Swanson adjust to being full-time starters? Can LaAdrian Waddle stay healthy? After a decline from his rookie year, can Larry Warford show that 2014 was simply a sophomore slump? There are so many questions when you have such a young group.

The Lions offensive line must put it’s best foot forward right away rather than taking the time to develop. Otherwise there’s a good chance Matthew Stafford could be running for his life again in 2015.

What do you think? What else concerns you? Which concerns are overstated? Leave your comments below and be sure to follow us on Twitter @SideLionReport and @Lionmike26