One could argue that the Detroit Lions have the best offensive line in the NFL. Anchored by veteran center Frank Ragnow, the offensive front also features talented tackles Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell. However, heading into NFL Free Agency, the guard spot is in flux. Who will be the Detroit Lions’ offensive guards in 2024?
Who Will Be the Detroit Lions’ Offensive Guards in 2024?
The top three Detroit Lions offensive guards on the roster, Jonah Jackson, Graham Glasgow and Halapoulivaati Vaitai, are all unsigned and headed toward free agency. The starters, Jackson at left guard and Glasgow at right, seem more likely to come back than Vaitai, but it wouldn’t be shocking to see only one of the three return. Jackson is the best player, but Glasgow is a hybrid guard/center who could rotate to center if Ragnow ever misses time. It makes sense for Detroit to bring both of them back, but if they can’t, they could scour the free agent market or find mid-to-late round value at the position in the draft.
A player I like is Dominick Puni, a 6-5, 320-pound mauler from Kansas who appears to fit the mold of this team as a gritty, hard-nosed player. The fifth-ranked guard in this year’s NFL Draft could plug in right away at left guard and should be available at the end of the third round or possibly even the fourth if the Lions can trade back and still get him.
Perhaps they won’t want to invest that high of draft capital on a guard, but it depends on how things shake out with free agency options and if they would rather pay lower-end deals to veterans instead of developing the position through the draft. Dalton Risner might be a hot name on the market, while a potential reunion with former Lion Laken Tomlinson could be interesting after his release from the New York Jets. Ultimately, they know the offensive line is critical to their success, and the Lions want to expand on a top-five rushing team from last year while also continuing to keep Goff upright en route to being a top-five passing offense as well.
Like every other offseason Detroit Lions need, I believe they’ll figure it out.
