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Free Agency Match Game: Offense Edition

By Al Stahl

Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Detroit Lions center Travis Swanson (64) points out a defensive player during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego won 33-28. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Detroit Lions center Travis Swanson (64) points out a defensive player during the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego won 33-28. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

Interior Offensive Line

The Lions have invested heavily in the offensive line through the draft in recent years and the results have been mostly disappointing. Laken Tomlinson should play better than he did as a rookie and Larry Warford is great when he’s healthy. The biggest issue here is Travis Swanson at center. He’s just not good. The Lions let Manny Ramirez go and he’s probably the best center available in free agency after Cleveland’s Alex Mack and the Browns are still the clear front runner to re-sign the All-Pro. Other options there might be Stefen Wisniewski or Ben Jones. Meh. If the Lions address center, it’ll have to be in the draft.

Ryan Kelly and Nick Martin are a couple of good center options for the Lions’ second round selection. If Detroit is looking to add late round depth behind Swanson, guys like Jack Allen, Max Tuerk and Evan Boehm would be worth taking a flyer on.

The other issue Detroit needs to address is depth. There isn’t any. Behind Tomlinson, Swanson and Warford there’s Braxton Cave, Gabe Ikard, and Darren Keyton. The Lions are going to have to add something better than those guys to back up the starters. There aren’t a ton of great options at guard in free agency and all of the good ones are old. With that said, there are plenty that are better than what the Lions currently have.

I’d expect the Lions to add a quality back up guard in free agency and if they address center, it’ll probably be in the draft or through that FA addition as a swing.

Next: QBs and RBs

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