The Detroit Lions are in desperate need of upgrades along their offensive line. Last year’s disappointing season came largely due to a leaky unit up front that failed to protect quarterback Jared Goff or carve out running lanes for running back Jahmyr Gibbs.
The situation got more dire this offseason after left tackle Taylor Decker was granted a release, though the Lions signed swing tackle Larry Borom to replace him. And general manager Brad Holmes appears to view him as a starting-caliber option, saying he “doesn’t feel like we have to supplement [him]” entering the draft at his pre-draft presser last week.
Of course, Holmes’ main job in that presser was to not reveal anything about the Lions’ true draft plans, but suppose he does think Borom will be a starting tackle on either side for the Lions next year. That would free up Detroit to target a different position depending on who’s available.
He might not be on the board at No. 17, but if he is, the Lions should take a long look at Penn State guard Vega Ioane.
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Because make no mistake, Borom could be the most serviceable starter in the league and that does not mean the Lions can’t upgrade their offensive line in other spots. After last year’s disaster up front, they should exhaust every possible option towards making their offensive line elite again.
Which makes Ioane such an intriguing option. He’s far and away the best guard prospect in this draft, and probably the only first-round pick at the position.
Ioane didn’t allow a sack or get called for a holding penalty in his last two years of college. At 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, he’s a powerful mauler with sound footwork and instincts. He profiles as an immediate NFL starter.
If the Lions view Ioane as such and he’s on the board, they may have to take him. Tate Ratledge looks like a long-term starter at right guard, but Christian Mahogany had a bad 2025 on the other side. In 699 snaps, he allowed 27 pressures, six sacks, and five QB hits and graded out as Pro Football Focus’ 77th rated pass blocking guard out of 81 players.
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At the very least there will definitely be a competition between Mahogany, 2025 fifth-rounder Miles Frazier and trade acquisition Juice Scruggs for that spot. But if the Lions don’t view any of them as real starters, Ioane should instantly hit the top of their board.
Ioane could be a bigger upgrade for Detroit’s line than any tackle prospect, even if the conventional wisdom is that tackle is the much more valuable spot. The Lions gave up a ton of interior pressure last year, which spelled doom for pocket passer Jared Goff, who was sacked a career-high 38 times.
Detroit’s skill position group is too talented to let poor offensive line play derail the offense, and we’ve seen what this team can do with a great unit blocking up front. If the offense wants to reach historic 2024-level heights again, drafting Ioane could be the way to go.
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