Don’t forget the not-so-quiet guy on the Detroit Lions offensive line

The answer at left guard

The early edge to fill the role at right guard would be veterans Joe Dahl or Kenny Wiggins. Dahl actually played well enough last season when called upon, but he also wasn’t as consistent as the Lions would like. Wiggins has value because he can play both guard and tackle. This means he can help the Lions as depth, but he hasn’t shown the ability to be the answer when given the opportunities to play.

Unfortunately, this creates the biggest question mark on the offensive line. A question that Matt Patricia needs to find an answer for.

But the answer may just already be on the roster. Bob Quinn doubled-down on the interior of the offensive line when he selected Kentucky guard Logan Stenberg in the fourth round. A player that needs some polish, but has the attitude every coach loves.

Stenberg is the epitome of a mauler. He has a nasty attitude and absolutely loves to bury defenders. At 6 foot 6 inches and 315 pounds, he isn’t tiny either. Between Stenberg and Jonah Jackson, the Lions were able to nab two of the top 10 rated guards in the 2020 draft. Jackson is expected to play early. The real question is; how long will it take Stenberg to get on the field?

Both Jackson and Stenberg are capable of making positive contributions.

In Stenberg’s case, the biggest thing he needs to learn is discipline. He was called for far too many penalties in college. And not because he was getting beaten frequently. Inconsistent technique as well as over-aggressiveness were the biggest culprits that got him in trouble.

Yet Stenberg has an opportunity to be a very solid player in the NFL if not even more. How quickly he is able to play with more focus and discipline will determine how quickly he is able to crack the starting lineup.

In the long run, the offensive line won’t completely have an opportunity to be a strength until both Jackson and Stenberg are in the lineup. It also won’t help the Lions for them to be on the field until they have earned their opportunity to be in the lineup.

The Lions offense has a great deal of promise and enough talent to make plays, but their true potential won’t be unlocked until the offensive line plays at a consistent enough level to allow Kerryon Johnson and D’Andre Swift to have holes to run through and Matthew Stafford is given time to find his targets.

On paper, the Lions offensive line could very well become a strength, but they will need to translate that potential to the field.

Logan Stenberg isn’t a household name and may never be one, but his development and ability to earn the job at left guard is every bit as important to the success of the Lions offense as anyone else on the roster.