Detroit Lions: Can Travis Swanson be a Pro Bowler in 2017?

Following improvements made to their offensive line, can Detroit Lions’ center Travis Swanson become a Pro Bowler in 2017?

Retooling the Detroit Lions‘ offensive line has been a major focus for second-year general manager Bob Quinn. The Lions’ spent a first round pick on starting left tackle Taylor Decker last year. This offseason, Quinn and Detroit’s front office laid out big bucks to bring in the likes of guard T.J. Lang and tackle Ricky Wagner via free agency.

With Decker cemented at left tackle, and both Lang and Wagner upgrading the right side of the offensive line, the Lions’ should have seen tremendous improvement in the trenches in 2017. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury suffered by Decker will delay those plans a bit.

Still, I vital piece of the puzzle along Detroit’s O-line is the improved play of center Travis Swanson. A former 2014 third round selection out of Arkansas has a best season as a professional last year. Now the 26-year old lineman enters the final year of his rookie deal, and a Pro Bowl-quality season could land him a big contract extension.

"“Swanson had a positive grade last season from Pro Football Focus and was graded among the top 12 centers in the league by the website at the time he suffered a season-ending concussion Week 13,” wrote Tim Twentyman on the Lions’ official website. “He allowed just two sacks and seven quarterback hurries in 12 games last year, by far his best season as a professional.”"

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Now healthy, Travis Swanson appears to be a crucial piece to the Detroit Lions’ resurgence along their offensive line. If the fourth-year center can continue his career uptick in 2017, there’s no reason to think he would not be a possible Pro Bowl candidate by season’s end.