Detroit Lions Top Ten Weakest Positions (And How to Fix Them)
By Kent Platte
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Right Tackle
Present Starter: I don’t know, Michael Ola this week I guess
Free Agency Fix
Best Free Agent: Andre Smith
Other Options: Joe Barksdale, Mitchell Schwartz
Although right tackle was mostly a disaster this season for the Detroit Lions, it shouldn’t be a difficult one to correct if the team doesn’t overthink it. Free agent options aplenty, the team has a chance to pry away one of the best in the business away from Cincinnati. Barring that, Mitchell Schwartz may be a bit easier to persuade to come to Detroit given the short journey, and Barksdale was an option the Lions missed out on the last time he was available.
2016 NFL Draft Fix
Best Prospect: Taylor Decker, OSU
Other Options: Jack Conklin, MSU; Germain Ifedi, TAMU; Kyle Murphy, Stanford
If there is an early run on offensive tackles, the Detroit Lions may not have as many options to fill their right tackle spot as they had hoped. The right tackle in today’s NFL often faces the best pass rusher, so it’s a prime position on the line. Guys like Jack Conklin and Germain Ifedi may be found in the second round, and either (as well as Murphy) would be an improvement over the best of the Detroit Lions right tackle carousel, Michael Ola.
Next: Strong Safety