The debate is on regarding what position the Detroit Lions should target next week during the NFL draft, and it seems everyone has an opinion on what the franchise needs to do to get ready for 2026.
As the draft has pushed closer, there seems to have been a narrowing of options. Some believe the Lions would be best served to pursue a defensive end to pair with Aidan Hutchinson. Others believe the offensive tackle position is the spot that needs the most focus.
Add another vote for that spot as the most vital courtesy of Pro Football Focus and analyst Bradley Locker. In a piece examining the biggest draft needs of every team, Locker specifically called out tackle as the spot where the Lions need to draft a young player.
"Following the team’s release of veteran Taylor Decker, the Lions are in real demand for a multi-year tackle next to All-Pro Penei Sewell. While Detroit did sign Larry Borom, his 60.7 overall PFF grade in 2025 suggests that he’s more of a depth option. Expect general manager Brad Holmes to select a tackle by the end of Day 1 as he continues to retool his offensive line."
Statistically, Locker's point is a good one. While Borom has 38 starts and 65 games played in the league, the metrics show he hasn't been that great while on the field. The goal for Detroit shouldn't be to survive but rather to try and thrive when it comes to setting up their offensive line for 2026 and beyond.
Brad Holmes explains why he might not favor drafting a young tackle
One reason the Lions could be content to roll with Borom in 2026? At the very least, he has all that aforementioned NFL experience. It's tough for an offensive lineman to adjust to the league as a rookie, and even tougher to rely on a young tackle to be the last line of defense for Jared Goff when besieged by powerful pass rushers.
Holmes knows that if the Lions roll the dice on a young tackle with pick No. 17 or another early selection in the draft, they will face a learning curve of some kind. As he explained to the media, that can give decision makers pause when it comes to making a big move at the position.
"I think any time you're dealing with a rookie, I don't care where you draft them, you're going to have to be prepared for a little bit of a growth period. Some guys may be a little bit more ready, but you just never know. I can't really give you a good answer on that one in terms of day one, because any time you draft a rookie, I think you're going to have to be prepared for some development and growth."
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Even though Holmes is correct in his assessment, it's not fair to color every rookie lineman with the same brush. Last season, the Lions adjusted guard Tate Ratledge on the fly, and he didn't look out of place as the season wore on. In the past, the Lions have started young linemen without missing a beat such as Taylor Decker, Penei Sewell, Jonah Jackson and others.
There's no reason to think a rookie from this class would be doomed to failure if pressed into duty by Detroit, which is why the Lions need to start thinking about Borom as an insurance policy rather than the end-all, be-all of the offseason at tackle. The numbers prove he likely isn't the long-term fix that Holmes is hoping for.
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