5 potential pivots for Detroit Lions if Graham Glasgow leaves in free agency
3. Jon Runyan Jr.
The idea of signing a former Green Bay Packer is sure to turn off Lions' fans. But Runyan is a University of Michigan alum, like his father before him. And he mixes youth (26) with experience (50 starts over the last three seasons) in a way that makes sense for a lot of teams.
The Packers settled into a weird rotation at right guard last season, swapping Runyan and Sean Rhyan basically equally over the final four games of the regular season. And it didn't seem to be because Runyan was not performing well enough.
According to Pro Football Focus, Runyan allowed 22 pressures and two sacks (albeit with a career-high six penalties) across 19 games (more than 1,000 snaps, including the playoffs) last season. Among guards with at least 600 snaps played in the regular season, Runyan’s overall PFF grade was No. 47. His pass-blocking efficiency ranked sixth, and his career pass-blocking efficiency is 98.1.
Runyan will not break the bank in free agency, but it appears the Packers got an early start on preparing for his exit this offseason . He seems to fit the Lions well as a bargain pivot option if either of their starting guards depart in free agency, but he makes a little more sense on the idea of Glasgow being gone.
2. Robert Hunt
The Dolphins still have some work to do to get under the salary cap before free agency starts (more than $18 million over the cap as of Wednesday afternoon, according to Over The Cap). So they may simply not be able to afford Hunt, who has put himself in position to cash in nicely as a free agent. He also apparently turned down a contract offer from Miami in the middle of last season, and at the NFL Combine general manager Chris Grier said Hunt has "earned the right to be a free agent."
After starting his career at right tackle in 2020, Hunt found a home at right guard over the last three seasons. In 2023, he was Pro Football Focus' sixth-highest graded guard, allowing just one sack in 11 games.
Hunt surely won't be cheap, with a contract projection from PFF landing at four years, $72 million ($42 million guaranteed). Spotrac's projection is four years, $47.4 million. But the way the Lions like to invest in their offensive line, it's not out of the question they'll be in the mix for Hunt if it comes to it.