5 free agents who should be on Detroit Lions' radar to replace Jonah Jackson

It was expected, as rumors of other teams interested and a booming market for free agent guards came to fruition. But the Detroit Lions indeed lost guard Jonah Jackson in free agency, to the Los Angeles Rams.

If the season started today, which of course it does not, Kayode Awosika would be the starting left guard for the Lions. No offense to Awosika, but that is not ideal. And if it does happen come September, something will have gone very wrong. Using an early draft pick in April on a guard feels a little more likely now, but shy of that a veteran addition should be on the radar too to keep the Lions' offensive line among the best in the league.

Re-signing Graham Glasgow was clearly a priority, and it was clear the Lions chose him over Jackson knowing Jackson would exceed what they were willing to do to bring him back. But there is a hole on the other side of center Frank Ragnow, and if the Lions weren't going to pay Jackson that made them unlikely to pivot to another high-priced option to replace him.

So turning toward what is now the secondary wave of free agency, here are five free agents who should be on the Lions' radar as they look to replace Jackson.

5 free agents who should be on Detroit Lions' radar to replace Jonah Jackson

5. Kevin Zeitler

It's somewhat surprising Zeitler is still available, coming off a good season (and his first career Pro Bowl selection) with the Baltimore Ravens. He's also a right guard by trade over his 12 NFL seasons, so the first thought is the Lions wouldn't sign him unless Glasgow had departed in free agency.

Displacing Glasgow after how well he played on the right side last season feels foolish. But perhaps his greatest strength is his versatility, and it's worth noting he started his career playing left guard for the Lions in 2016 and 2017. And during his press conference after his re-signing was official, talking about the loss of Jackson, here's what Glasgow said (h/t to SI.com).

"I think we can still be really, really good," Glasgow said. "I think Jonah's an amazing player. He's very talented. He's a good guard. I just said this, 'I think the contract speaks for itself.' A lot of other teams also think that Jonah's really good. At the end of the day, it just comes down to, we're gonna work, we're gonna get after it and we'll figure it out." 

Could the process, however early right now, of figuring out how Jackson will be replaced include getting Glasgow's thoughts on playing the left side? Zeitler's asking price may have to fall now, and his PFF grade last season (71.6) was not far below Glasgow's top-10 grade among all guards.

Zeitler obviously wouldn't be the direct replacement for Jackson at left guard, but he would replace him on the Lions' offensive line in the big picture. If Glasgow is willing to move over to accommodate the move...

4. Connor Williams

Williams moved to center for the Miami Dolphins over the last two seasons, where he really blossomed (No. 2 center by Pro Football grade in 2023, behind some guy named Frank Ragnow).

But over his first four NFL seasons, Williams started 51 games at left guard for the Dallas Cowboys. The chief reason he's still available as the first week of free agency winds down is a torn ACL that ended last season early, so he's basically three months removed from the injury right now.

The medical evaluation on Williams probably won't be very clear right now, but Week 1 would be nine months out from the injury and maybe he'd be ready to play. Soon after would be a possibility. Drafting a rookie guard who could start right away might be in play for the Lions anyway, since Brad Holmes isn't swayed in the draft by what was done in free agency, so Williams shouldn't be off the table to sign--and he's 26 (27 in May).

3. Laken Tomlinson

Tomlinson was a first-round pick by the Lions back in 2015, so this would be a reunion. Falling onto the long list of Lions' first-round busts, he was traded to the 49ers after two seasons and started at left guard for them over the next five campaigns (2017-2021), earning his first Pro Bowl nod in 2021. He parlayed that final season in San Francisco into a nice contract from the New York Jets (three years, $40 million) in 2022.

Two down seasons with the New York Jets earned Tomlinson his release early this offseason, in what was as much a cap space saving move as related to his performance. But it's worth wondering if he just wasn't a fit with the Jets, their inept offense dragged everyone down or he's hit his decline phase at 32 years old.

As the Lions look at veteran options to replace Jackson, Tomlinson would make a lot of sense due to some scheme similarities between his 49ers' days and their offense now.

2. Andrus Peat

Peat is well-removed from his days as a three-time Pro Bowl left guard (2018-2020) at this point, but he is still a solid player and he of course has the Saints' tie to Dan Campbell/Aaron Glenn the Lions have tapped into at times. He also has versatility, having played both left guard and left tackle last season.

Peat would be an experienced, inexpensive upgrade to Detroit's current left guard situation. And if something happened to either Taylor Decker or Penei Sewell, he could step in either tackle spot and hold down the fort.

1. Dalton Risner

After weeks and really months of speculation, the Vikings finally signed Risner just after last season began. He started 11 of the 15 games he played in, once he was finally put into the lineup. He did not allow a sack (through Week 17 at least) with three penalties in 745 snaps all season (according to Pro Football Focus, with dismal 57.1 overall PFF grade).

As expected with the aforementioned lack of sacks allowed, Risner had the ninth-best mark in ESPN's pass blocking win rate among interior offensive lineman last season. That was an area Jackson had a drop-off in last season, and having the immobile Jared Goff under center puts interior pass protection for the Lions.

As the first wave of free agency subsided and other guards were getting PAID (capital letters required), Risner took to Twitter to make his case to prospective new teams.

Risner stands to be a bargain for someone who needs a starting-caliber left guard. The Lions could not fit the template for that current need any better.