Lions fortify their offensive tackle depth with low-risk free agent move

With Taylor Decker set to be released and Dan Skipper retiring this offseason, the Detroit Lions need to do something about their depth at offensive tackle and they have.

As first reported by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, the Lions have agreed to a deal with veteran offensive tackle Larry Borom. Terms of the contract have not yet been reported, but the Detroit native and Brother Rice High School alum is set to come back home.

Borom spent last season with the Miami Dolphins, starting 11 games at right tackle. Pro Football Focus data shows his work was a mixed bag, with a solid pass blocking grade (67.1) and a bottom tier run blocking grade (54.4; 67th out of 79 qualifiers) among offensive tackles.

Before landing with the Dolphins, Borum spent the first four seasons of his career with the Chicago Bears. He started a total of 27 games over that span, at every offensive line position except center.

Larry Borom brings needed versatility and experience to Lions' offensive line

When injuries have hit the Lions' offensive line over the last couple seasons, a lack of experienced depth has been exposed. Exacerbating that lack of quality depth is how 2024 third-round pick offensive tackle Giovanni Manu remains a complete project halfway through his rookie contract,

While a significant knee injury stalled Manu's progress last season, the tea leaves say the Lions are no longer expecting him to become something. Signing Borum is another sign of that thought pattern.

Al Karsten of Pride of Detroit pointed to Borom as a fit for the Lions in his look at bargan bin offensive line options in free agency. While his overall PFF marks were unremarkable last season, Karsten had this note.

"From Week 6 through the end of the regular season, Borom quietly graded as PFF’s 35th-highest graded offensive tackle (70.3). That mark was 10 spots ahead of Jamaree Salyer, 13 spots ahead of Taylor Decker, and six spots behind Yosh Nijman during that stretch."

Karsten's analysis of the Borom signing adds to the bad news for Manu as the Lions look to replace Skipper as their swing tackle.

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Borom should be the primary backup at both tackle spots, and an emergency option at both guards spots, as it were, for the Lions. Ideally he's not the planned starter at right tackle, within the idea Penei Sewell would move to the left side and replace Decker. But if a drafted rookie isn't ready to start at right tackle, he can hold down the fort and someone of that ilk was a necessary addition.