The Detroit Lions already said goodbye to running back David Montgomery via trade and interior offensive lineman Graham Glasgow, and now their offseason house-cleaning is getting even more pronounced due to the release of left tackle Taylor Decker.
After failing to come to terms on a contract for the 2025 season, the Lions and Decker decided to mutually parted ways. The Lions went from one of the strongest offensive lines in the league to a unit in need of starters at multiple positions overnight.
Should Brad Holmes identify the NFL Draft as the best way to give this team the kick in the rear end it needs, these five players may be on their way to Detroit as they try to find a replacement for Decker.
5 2026 NFL Draft prospects who could replace Lions LT Taylor Decker
5. Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
While Tiernan doesn't have the same athletic ceiling as some of the other Day 2 tackles on the market, he has been one of the most robust pass blockers in the Big Ten throughout his career, and he may be a more immediate Day 1 starter than some of the more toolsy projects.
4. Blake Miller, Clemson
Miller has been a starter for years at Clemson, and his strong performance at the 2026 NFL Combine helped confirm his status as a likely top 50 pick. If he manages to add a bit more beef as a run-blocker, Miller might get tabbed as the natural successor to Decker.
3. Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Iheanachor, who performed the best against projected top-five pick David Bailey as any tackle in this class, is the best pure athlete of anyone outside of the consensus top prospects. Even though he was a right tackle in college, his ceiling is too enticing to pass on.
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2. Caleb Lomu, Utah
Lomu was the left tackle on the same offensive line as Spencer Fano, and his pass blocking potential may actually exceed that of his teammate thanks to his length. Lomu is more of a Day 1 starter than a player like Alabama's Kadyn Proctor, projected to go in the same range.
1. Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Freeling put together one of the best NFL Combine showings in recent memory for an offensive tackle, and he has positioned himself as both a first-round lock and someone unlikely to fall out of the top 20 picks. Freeling may be the best left tackle in this class, which helps keep Penei Sewell on the right side.