Roughly 11 months ago, Detroit Lions general manager Brad Holmes metaphorically referred to the team's offensive line as a garden that always needs to be watered. He has backed up that idea with action, selecting a pair of offensive lineman in each of the last two drafts.
That plan is sure to stay in place in the 2026 draft, with a long-term replacement for center Frank Ragnow potentially somewhere on the radar. Left tackle Taylor Decker is also close to the end of his career, and he has confirmed he will consider retirement after the season.
Even if Decker plays next season, the Lions' succession plan for him has now taken on greater importance. Offensive tackle is now firmly on the radar in the first round of April's draft.
Lions go against the grain to replace Taylor Decker in 2026 mock draft
Heading into Week 16, Max Chadwick of Pro Football Focus put together a new first-round 2026 mock draft.
With the 17th overall pick, Chadwick has the Lions taking Miami (FL) offensive tackle Francis Mauioga.
"Penei Sewell has been the best offensive lineman in football this season, but with Taylor Decker potentially nearing retirement, Detroit could look to fortify the tackle spot again."
"Mauigoa ranks fourth among FBS tackles in PFF grade (85.7) and owns the third-best pass-blocking grade (88.3)."
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This isn't the first time, and it probably won't be the last time, the Lions are matched with Mauioga in a mock draft. But Chadwick added something else to the equation.
"While he plays right tackle like Sewell, Sewell’s dominance on the left side in college gives the Lions flexibility to make a seamless transition similar to Tristan Wirfs’ move in Tampa Bay."
As Chadwick noted, Sewell was a dominant left tackle during his college career at Oregon before making the pivot to the right side when the Lions drafted him. Then, when Decker missed time early in the 2021 season with a hand injury, Sewell started his NFL career with eight starts back on the left side. He also started two games on the left side in 2023 when Decker was out.
In what could be a foreshadowing of the future plan, Sewell has stayed at right tackle for the five games Decker has missed over the last two seasons. But nothing should be out of the question when the Lions' cornerstone left tackle calls it career, whenever it happens, including Sewell making a move back to his college position for the rest of his own career.