2026 Detroit Lions Offseason Thread

[Jason_R]

Maybe I'm the only one who didn't know this yet, but Borom graduated from Brother Rice in Birmingham. Came out in the same draft class as Sewell, they share an agent, and Borom considers Sewell "a close friend." 

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nfl/lions/2026/03/12/larry-borom-from-detroit-still-cant-believe-hes-signed-with-lions/89117653007/

He's a credible starter at LT or RT and can probably be expected to match Decker's performance from last year. I still think they will draft an OT in the first round, and I still think there is enough depth at that position that Brad might figure out how to drop back a few slots and give himself an at bat in the third round. 

[buddha]

borom would be a nice emergency starter.  if borom is your regular starter, its a downgrade from last year.

they must get an OT in rd 1.

[Jason_R]

It seems like it is basically a wash when comparing him to Decker from last season. 

if the goal is to rebuild the team’s identity on the offensive line, he does not move the needle. But he gives you the same performance as Decker for substantially less money. 

[Shinzaki]

Biggest holes left to fill are DE, LB and developmental OT.

Keldric Faulk..CJ Allen and Monroe Freeling could be 1st rd guys that fit

[Jason_R]

https://www.nfl.com/news/charles-davis-2026-nfl-mock-draft-2-0-cardinals-seahawks-select-notre-dame-rbs-in-round-1

Charles Davis doesn't have an OT going until pick 9 with Mauigoa. Has Spencer Fano going at 14. Says he likes Proctor to Detroit at 17, but mocks Miami DE Mesidor. Then has Miller at 24, Freeling at 27, Lomu at 28, and Proctor at 31. OTOH, I've seen Freeling mocked as high as 5. But I suspect that at 17, Detroit will have at least three very good OT options to choose from. This makes me think that Brad would be happy to move back.

They met with Proctor at the combine. My understanding is that he needs work in pass pro but he is a beast in the run game. And we know Brad loves players from Alabama. I could see them taking him and doubling down with bookends at tackle who are absolute bullies in run blocking. 

[Sports_Freak]

3 hours ago, buddha said:

borom would be a nice emergency starter.  if borom is your regular starter, its a downgrade from last year.

they must get an OT in rd 1.

Depending on which free agents are remaining and who they sign before the draft, I could see them going for defense in the 1st round. CB, safety or edge. I guess it depends which player is left on the board. I really dont want them to reach and take a 2nd round talent in the 1st.

[MichiganCardinal]

I still think the Lions have an open phone line if cooler heads can prevail in the Decker camp. Especially if he's still available after the draft and the board falls in such a way that the Lions select a defensive player in the first-round. I would expect that would loosen the budget a little bit toward getting another OT2/3 in the building, even if they took a more undeveloped OT in the 2nd round.

Decker was scheduled to make over $18MM. If the dispute is that he wanted that much, without any renegotiation, then he's delusional. And if he thinks he's going to get that on the open market, he's even more delusional that he was when he wanted it from us.

On the other hand, if the dispute was that he wanted $10MM and the Lions were offering $5MM (Borom's deal), I can see why he might be more likely to test the waters for something closer to $10MM. But it hasn't come yet, and Rasheed Walker, an objectively better, healthier, and much younger tackle, just signed for 1/$10MM. Could the Lions and Decker meet in the middle, especially if the Lions don't draft a OT early? I certainly think it's possible.

[buddha]

2 hours ago, Jason_R said:

https://www.nfl.com/news/charles-davis-2026-nfl-mock-draft-2-0-cardinals-seahawks-select-notre-dame-rbs-in-round-1

Charles Davis doesn't have an OT going until pick 9 with Mauigoa. Has Spencer Fano going at 14. Says he likes Proctor to Detroit at 17, but mocks Miami DE Mesidor. Then has Miller at 24, Freeling at 27, Lomu at 28, and Proctor at 31. OTOH, I've seen Freeling mocked as high as 5. But I suspect that at 17, Detroit will have at least three very good OT options to choose from. This makes me think that Brad would be happy to move back.

They met with Proctor at the combine. My understanding is that he needs work in pass pro but he is a beast in the run game. And we know Brad loves players from Alabama. I could see them taking him and doubling down with bookends at tackle who are absolute bullies in run blocking. 

offensive tackles will go higher than that.  they always do.

[gehringer_2]

1 minute ago, buddha said:

offensive tackles will go higher than that.  they always do.

And Alabama ain't what it used to be.

[buddha]

There are a lot more serviceable big Lions-type DE's out there on the market than OTs.  jordan, clowney, epenessa.  The draft is deep with decent DE prospects.  

LT 1

Defense in round 2 seems the most prudent way to go.

 

[buddha]

1 minute ago, gehringer_2 said:

And Alabama ain't what it used to be.

i'm visiting tuscaloosa with my daughter in a couple weeks, i'll let you know what i find out.

[Jason_R]

2 minutes ago, gehringer_2 said:

And Alabama ain't what it used to be.

Regardless, the Lions met with Proctor at the combine. They may have met with other tackles, but I have not specifically seen information about it.

I have seen several mock drafts with the Lions picking Proctor at 17. In other drafts, I have seen him slipping to the last few pics of the first round, and I think I even recall one where he was early in the second round.