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How Good Can Detroit’s Revamped Offensive Line Be in 2017?

By Matt Urben

Dec 11, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker (right) warms up with offensive guard Graham Glasgow (60) before the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Lions win 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions defensive tackle Tyrunn Walker (right) warms up with offensive guard Graham Glasgow (60) before the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Lions win 20-17. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Detroit Lions aggressively went after top-level free agents at vacant positions along their offensive line, landing both right tackle Rick Wagner, and former Packers guard, T.J. Lang. It appears free agents can see what the Lions are trying to do, with some literally choosing Detroit over more prestigious franchises.

After having much success in addressing the position through the draft in 2016 — Taylor Decker out of Ohio State at left tackle and Graham Glasgow out of Michigan, at left guard. — the Lions instead chose to take the opposite route, by using free agency to plug their holes.

What is the reason Bob Quinn chose to spend around $18 million per season combined on these two free agent offensive linemen instead of trusting his drafting ability?

First, you can’t build an entire line full of first and second-year guys and expect to win. You also don’t win by overpaying your own guys, such as Reiff and Warford. It was about the same money to keep both former players, and doing so would not have made this team any better.

Offensive Line
Nov 1, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Green Bay Packers guard T.J. Lang (70) at the line of scrimmage in the third quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Instead, they upgrade for about the same price. Lang is a pro-bowler, signing for 3-years, $28.5 million, while Warford departs after an up and down career since his great rookie season in 2013. Rick Wagner was a steady force on Baltimore’s offensive line and Detroit locked up the 27-year-old for 5-years, at a total of $47.5 million, with a $14.5 million signing bonus.

This is a lot of money, but assuming Detroit signs Matthew Stafford, the Lions offense could rival that of the Dallas Cowboys, who’ve invested considerable resources in their line over the past few years. They dominated the league by dominating up front and running the ball. Dallas chose to roll the dice and draft stud running back, Ezekiel Elliott, out of Ohio State with the 4th-overall pick in last year’s draft.

It paid off well, as you all know, with Elliott leading the NFL, rushing for 1,631 yards behind Dallas’ prized investment up front. Detroit could face a similar situation to what Dallas was in last year. Will there be a temptation to draft either Dalvin Cook or Christian McCaffrey with the 21st pick in the first-round? Do they try to capitalize on their investment up front right away by adding their bell-cow, or do they feel things out for a year — staying with Ameer Abdullah, Theo Riddick, and power-back Zach Zenner?

It’s a tough call for Quinn, but if the past few days are any indication, he certainly has a plan after such an aggressive makeover of the Lions’ previously underachieving offensive line in just a few days.

Check out other Lions Draft Profiles: LB- T.J. Watt, DE – Derek Barnett, DL- Malik McDowell and OT – Cam Robinson. Plus, Like SLR on Facebook and follow Matt on Twitter @MattUrben88

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