4 free agent offensive linemen the Detroit Lions could sign before Week 1
The Detroit Lions undeniably have one of the best starting offensive lines in the NFL. But those five guys (with projecting Halapoulivaati Vaitai at right guard) have not played a single snap all together in either of the last two seasons.
Offensive line depth is not a problem unique to the Lions, as we've seen it highlighted in preseason play across the league as starters sit out. And for the Lions, it's not necessarily been a lack of effort to add depth (Germain Ifedi, fifth-round pick Colby Sorsdal, Bobby Hart). But during the second preseason game against the Jaguars, many of the backup lineman were noticeably bad.
After the loss to Jacksonville, via Lions Wire, head coach Dan Campbell addressed the idea of possibly needing to look a what options are out there at offensive line and wide receiver. The broad sentiment was obvious.
"Yeah, I mean we’re working through it,” ” We’re working through it and there again, we’ll look at this tape and find the guys we can rely on and listen, you just never know. (Lions GM) Brad (Holmes) and his crew, they’re looking at everything. And it’s not just our own squad, they’re looking at 31 other teams too, so we’re always evaluating.”"
- Dan Campbell
Roster cutdowns by the other 31 teams will yield some options, and given the timetable between preseason finales next weekend and the day to be down to 53 players (Aug. 29), waiting for more options is possible.
But if the Lions want to bring in someone who's available right now, if only to get a little head start on evaluating all options before the season starts, these four currently available free agent offensive linemen may be on the radar.