One week from the draft, we’ll look at the Detroit Lions’ Bob Quinn’s history with offensive linemen and look at who and when to select help this year.
Here we are about a week from the draft, Detroit Lions fans. The art of mock-drafting seems to be overdone, so we’re going to focus on another aspect of the Lions roster that is essential for a successful 2020 season, the offensive line. When would be the best time for the Lions to draft help and who would fit the bill?
While not the statistically worst unit on the roster, the line needs help going forward, especially given the need to leverage our best assets for a winning season. At this point, the offense is the best thing going, largely due to quarterback Matthew Stafford, a returning wide receiver corps, and some good pieces along the line. Not only that, making sure that it can be successful is easier than fixing the 31st-ranked defense in yards given up, stats from The Football Database.
Follow the simple logic. Is it more plausible that we can turn our defense into an elite group in one offseason or that we can turn our offense into an elite group in one offseason? Obviously the offense has more in place, has fewer holes to fill, and will enjoy a large amount of continuity from 2019 where they started off very strong when players were healthy.
Our biggest offseason loss has undoubtedly been guard-center Graham Glasgow, who has been getting better every year and been the most consistent lineman on the team for the last three years. Not only did he stay on the field, but he also offered flexibility and an ability to play multiple positions at a high level. Glasgow was a good center and he was a very good guard.
What has been done this offseason is unfortunately very predictable for vice president-general manager Bob Quinn, he re-signed two players who drew no real interest from other teams but did sign a younger free agent that has potential but that isn’t very tested.
To put names into this narrative, Oday Aboushi and Kenny Wiggins were brought back, while Halapoulivaati “Big V” Vaitai was signed to replace right tackle Rick Wagner, whose play seems to have dropped since coming to Detroit.
There are currently fourteen offensive linemen on the roster (not including tight ends), according to the Detroit Lions website, with four being players drafted by the team. Joe Dahl, Taylor Decker, Tyrell Crosby, and Frank Ragnow comprise that list.
As for the other projected starters, Vaitai was originally a fifth-round pick by the Philadelphia Eagles, our thanks to Pro Football Reference; the Lions website states Wiggins was an undrafted free agent originally signing with the San Francisco 49ers back in 2011 but finding his pre-Motor City success with the San Diego Chargers before migrating east and joining the guard rotation under offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell.