The Detroit Lions' mission this offseason was abundantly clear: rebuild the offensive line.
They signed the #2 center on the market in Cade Mays. They acquired guard Juice Scruggs in the David Montgomery trade. They signed tackle Larry Borom and guard Ben Bartch. Lastly, they drafted right tackle Blake Miller in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft to initiate the transfer of current RT Penei Sewell to left tackle.
This OL rebuild was sorely needed after an abysmal overall performance from the unit last season. Sewell was still the First-Team All-Pro he's always been, and right guard Tate Ratledge had a very encouraging rookie season. But whether it was struggling with injuries or defenders, the rest of the OL couldn't keep up.
Now, the big question mark remaining is left guard, currently expected to be held by Christian Mahogany. LG for the Lions last season was not an enviable task, sandwiched between C Graham Glasgow and the banged-up LT Taylor Decker. Still, Mahogany didn't fare well, and the run game suffered in part because of that.
Next season could be better for Mahogany, now being slotted in between Sewell and Mays. If not, Scruggs or Bartch could step up and be the answer, or maybe the team looks to free agency to find that answer. But as it stands now, LG is still the weak link in the OL, and Lions fans may have to wait a year for that answer to come.
On Wednesday, The Athletic released its top 30 potential free agents for 2027. Topping the list is former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, who could realistically be available after the Los Angeles Rams drafted Ty Simpson to be his heir in the first round. Not far behind Stafford at #4 is an intriguing name: Indianapolis Colts LG Quenton Nelson.
"Nelson has been one of the best left guards in the league since he was drafted in the first round in 2018. He is coming off another stellar season, and he remains on a Hall of Fame trajectory. Nelson’s combination of movement skills and power makes him a weapon in the run game. Taylor’s production is evidence of that. Nelson will be entering his age-31 season in 2027, but he has had only one season (2021) in which he’s missed games due to injury. He is durable, and he will be a very attractive player if he hits the open market."
Future Hall of Famer, check. Elite in the run game, check. Rarely misses games, check.
Altogether, Nelson sounds like the perfect fit for the Lions. On Pro Football Focus, Nelson ranked fourth overall among guards with an 84.5 grade, as well as fourth in run-blocking with a similar 84.3 grade. His 73.2 pass-blocking grade ranks 12th, still among the better guards in the league.
The obvious caveat to these newfound Nelson dreams is that the Colts really like him. The Athletic's rankings use the word "potential" for a reason. The Colts could extend Nelson at any time, and it would make sense for them to do so, given how important their run game is, led by running back Jonathan Taylor.
But Taylor coincidentally ranks #2 on The Athletic's list, and he's sure to be keeping an eye on the upcoming expected extensions for Lions' Jahmyr Gibbs and Atlanta Falcons' Bijan Robinson. Not to mention if quarterback Daniel Jones continues to impress, he could find himself signing an extension beyond his newly signed two-year, $88 million deal.
Nelson is unlikely to find himself as the odd man out. The Colts would be wise to keep him, but money can quickly get tight, and tough choices may need to be made. In that event, the Lions should pounce quickly, even if it means making tough choices of their own.
Other notable 2027 free agents
LG isn't the only concern for the 2026 Lions that may need to wait for 2027 to be addressed. If EDGE is still necessary after the Derrick Moore selection, they could potentially find their answer in #12-ranked Tuli Tuipulotu, currently with the Los Angeles Chargers. Tuipulotu just reached his first Pro Bowl in his third season after a 13.0-sack season.
If safety becomes a problem with current injuries, that could be fixed by another Charger in Derwin James Jr., who's ranked #16 and coming off his third Second-Team All-Pro selection.
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The Lions will have their own free agents to worry about, too, as linebacker Jack Campbell is ranked #13 and tight end Sam LaPorta is ranked #20. Those possible extensions, along with Gibbs', could price them out on some of the bigger free agent options like Nelson. In that case, they could look toward #28-ranked Steve Avila, the current LG of the Rams.
The Lions' OL rebuild is nearly complete, if it isn't already. If by chance it isn't, and Mahogany disappoints, the Lions could have a fantastic opportunity to find an elite replacement by bringing in Nelson. If they pull it off, this rebuilt OL could be the Lions' best OL yet.
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