After signing center Cade Mays to a very team-friendly, 3-year, $25 million deal, the Detroit Lions are in full pursuit of a tackle. With Taylor Decker being granted a release, the team is without a starting left tackle for the 2026 season. Penei Sewell could swing over to that side, but then that leaves a hole on the right side.
And, this was a pretty decent market for right tackle talent if you're Brad Holmes and on the hunt for a good deal on starting talent. Braden Smith immediately comes to mind, as the veteran tackle had a great year for the Indianapolis Colts in 2025.
Of course, the Lions aren't hoarding that information. It's public knowledge. And, it was used by the Houston Texans to swing a great signing which landed Smith with them on a very cheap 2-year, $25 million deal per the NFL Network. That's a big blow to their tackle big board, if one exists. It all but continues to guarantee that Detroit has to take a tackle at 17th overall, and get it right.
Lions lose out on Braden Smith as Detroit continues to live on the margins
Smith finished up his 2025 season with a 71.9 pass-blocking grade per PFF, allowing just one sack through 766 offensive snaps played. While he could've been better with his run-blocking, overall, he was a reliable presence on the Colts' offensive line throughout 2025.
The Lions need reliability now more than ever. With health being a huge question mark over Decker, and with a lack of an answer behind him, Detroit has to consider both the availability of its depth at tackle in addition to its starting options. Smith has only missed time recently due to a concussion and Covid-19.
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The NFL Draft, of course, offers some solutions to the Lions on that front. But, it's not often a great idea for a playoff-caliber team to have to rely on a rookie to start on Day 1 at right tackle, and thrive. It's possible, but it's just difficult to find and achieve.
Smith could've been a very affordable solution to that issue, but now, Detroit has to really hit on their tackle selection in addition to hoping that Larry Borom, a notoriously struggling tackle, can figure it out with the Lions.