Through the first week of free agency, the Detroit Lions signed just two starting lineman to their O-line: Cade Mays and Larry Borom.
While some might've thought Borom was just going to be a depth signing for Detroit at their tackle position, it became clear that he might be their only tackle signing ahead of the NFL Draft. That could immediately make him the favorite to end up as their starting left tackle after Taylor Decker's surprising release.
This decision, or rather lack of decision-making, with their tackle room makes their draft plans all the clearer. If Detroit is content with what they've done in free agency to address that hole, it must mean that at 17th overall, they're targeting a top tackle.
Lions must be targeting tackle at 17th overall after free agency decisions
Monroe Freeling, Blake Miller, and Kadyn Proctor are all names to watch for Detroit this coming April.
They all have high floors, with Freeling recently rising up big boards thanks to a solid combine showing and thanks to him looking the most pro-ready amongst tackles available. It'll be hard to imagine the Lions looking for a tackle in the 2nd round given how steep the drop-off is in that positional group, but they also need to address their need for an edge rusher.
That could sway them towards focusing on a tackle at 50 rather than 17, but they'd have to be quite confident in Borom's ability to stand tall at left tackle for a full season while a rookie develops behind the scenes. And, edge rushers in this year's draft don't project to have that same drop-off.
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Several analysts have already begun locking in on the Lions taking a tackle in the first round. Mel Kiper has recently said Proctor would be a nice fit for Detroit thanks to his major upside of being a massive tackle to get around, while Freeling is mocked to be an eventual plus starter by NFL.com's draft expert Lance Zierlein.
Detroit snagged Decker at 16th overall back in 2016 and got some incredible seasons with him at left tackle. They shouldn't overthink this decision as they're once again in major need of a long-term answer at left tackle to compliment Penei Sewell's timeline.