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Detroit Lions heavy investment must improve pass protection

By Steven Mullenax

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions grabs his hand after being injured in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions grabs his hand after being injured in the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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The Detroit Lions have sunk a ton of resources into their offensive line over the past three years. So, their lack of quality pass protection must improve.

Matthew Stafford is entering his tenth year as the franchise quarterback for the Detroit Lions. The 30-year old is in the prime of his career and is undoubtedly in a position to bring unprecedented success in the Motor City.

But one major key to that success will be keeping Stafford upright and protected, especially as he begins his post-30 career in Detroit. Unfortunately, the Lions struggled to do just that last season, allowing their quarterback to be sacked a whopping 47 times. That was the second highest allowed total in the entire league in 2017.

The Lions’ front office has spent the past three years heavily investing in their offensive line. In 2016, Detroit used their first round selection on Ohio State offensive tackle Taylor Decker. In that same draft, they grabbed Michigan center Graham Glasgow in the third.

Last year, coveted free agents right guard T.J. Lang and right tackle Rick Wagner were inked to lucrative contracts.

This offseason, Detroit once again used their first round pick on an offensive lineman. This time, Arkansas center Frank Ragnow. Despite only possessing six selections total going into the 2018 NFL Draft, the Lions used two of them on their O-line. The other lineman being Oregon offensive tackle Tyrell Crosby in the fifth round.

Despite this heavy investment, the Lions offensive line underwhelmed last season. That was mainly due to injury. According to the football analytics website Pro Football Focus, the Lions ranked a lowly 27th (tied) in pass protection last season with an overall pass-blocking efficiency (PBE) rating of 75.6.

"“The Lions made key additions to their offensive line prior to the 2017 season, adding right guard T.J. Lang and right tackle Rick Wagner,” wrote Mark Chichester for PFF. “However, the investment wasn’t quite enough, as the Lions surrendered 199 pressures on 633 passing snaps, the fifth-most among teams.”"

In fact, according to PFF, the Lions’ top pass blocker was center Travis Swanson (97.4 PBE) last season. A former third round selection out of Arkansas by the Lions, Swanson ended up joining the New York Jets earlier this year as a free agent after spending four underwhelming years in the Motor City.

With Decker missing eight games due to a shoulder injury and both newcomers Lang and Wagner still adjusting to their new home, the Lions’ offensive line was a positional group-in-flux last season. And it showed.

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This year, the Detroit Lions (at least on paper) appear to have an offensive line that could rival the best the NFL has to offer. If the group can stay healthy and continue to build chemistry, the pass protection for Matthew Stafford should be much improved in 2018. If it’s not, the Lions have wasted a lot of time, money and resources on the wrong players.

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