Could the Detroit Lions draft an offensive lineman at #20?

Could the Detroit Lions look to polish off their offensive line by using their first round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft on a lineman?

Last offseason, the Detroit Lions invested heavily into their offensive line by adding pricey free agents in right guard T.J. Lang and right tackle Ricky Wagner. Unfortunately, injuries hurt the unit’s chemistry – the biggest loss being second-year left tackle Taylor Decker, who missed half the season with a shoulder injury.

The Lions have to hope that with a little luck, their revamped O-Line will have an opportunity to play together much more in 2018 and build that much needed chemistry. Although they still do have a major issue at left guard to solve this offseason.

Center Travis Swanson is currently a free agent. The Lions are expected to move on from Swanson allowing veteran Graham Glasgow to shift from left guard back to center. But that suddenly leaves Detroit with a starting void that must be filled.

Although Joe Dahl will be given a shot to win that starting role at left guard, could the Lions’ look to the draft in order to fill that need instead? According to ESPN’s Todd McShay, the answer is yes. And it might be Georgia guard Isaiah Wynn in the first round.

"“An edge rusher would be ideal with Ezekiel Ansah a pending free agent, but I don’t see a great value here,” wrote McShay on his latest mock draft for ESPN.com. “Detroit has plenty of needs on defense but needs to keep Matthew Stafford upright to have any chance. Wynn developed into a dominant OT at Georgia and had a brilliant week of practice at the Senior Bowl when they moved him to guard.”"

Wynn is considered by many to be the second best offensive lineman in this draft class. And several mock drafts have the Bulldog guard being drafted around the Lions’ top pick, 20th overall. But with so many different team needs, would Detroit really use a first round selection in order to polish off what they started last offseason along their O-Line? I think it comes down to options.

If the Lions believe there is a defensive lineman that could be more valuable to their team at #20, I think they’d probably go that route. Running back is another position the Motor City could address early, although this year’s deep class of runners could allow them to wait another round or two.

Next: Lions 2018 Draft - Pre-Free Agency 4 round mock

Although it isn’t the sexiest pick, an offensive lineman could certainly be the Detroit Lions’ top choice come April. It’s a move that better protects quarterback Matthew Stafford while also improving their running game. Seems like a win-win offensively. But how would that choice sit with their new defensive-minded head coach? We’ll have to wait and see.