The Detroit Lions have experienced more change than expected along their offensive line this offseason, and some observers believe the team may have passed on an opportunity to add a helpful veteran presence.

Detroit moved on from longtime tackle Taylor Decker and guard Graham Glasgow in salary-related decisions, while veteran lineman Dan Skipper chose to retire. Those departures disrupted a unit that had previously been one of the NFL’s strongest before showing signs of decline during the 2025 season. Because of those changes, one analyst believes the team had a chance to stabilize the line with a relatively affordable signing but did not capitalize.

Missed Opportunity in Free Agency

Writing about roster decisions NFL general managers could have handled differently, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated pointed to Lions general manager Brad Holmes as someone who may have missed an ideal opportunity. Breer argued that Detroit could have pursued veteran right tackle Braden Smith, who ultimately agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract with the Houston Texans after leaving the Indianapolis Colts.

Breer suggested that signing Smith could have allowed Detroit to shift All-Pro lineman Penei Sewell to the left side of the offensive line, strengthening the group overall. He noted that the Lions have been at their best during the leadership of Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell when their offensive line has dominated opponents. In his view, bringing in Smith would have been similar to the team’s earlier addition of veteran guard Kevin Zeitler — a dependable, experienced player capable of providing stability.

Such a move might also have helped Detroit rebound from its disappointing 2025 campaign while supporting changes in the team’s running attack. The Lions parted ways with veteran running back David Montgomery, which could lead to a larger role for explosive back Jahmyr Gibbs in the 2026 offense.

Detroit also brought in former Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco, adding another versatile option to the backfield, though he may not receive the same workload Montgomery handled in previous seasons.

Lions Still Making Changes Up Front

Despite the criticism, the Lions have not ignored their offensive line situation. The team added center Cade Mays, signed tackle Larry Borom, and acquired guard Juice Scruggs as part of the trade involving Montgomery.

According to Michael Colwander of SideLion Report, those moves may hint at subtle changes in how Detroit approaches offense. Colwander pointed out that each of the new linemen has performed better in pass protection than in run blocking. At first glance, that might seem unusual for a team that has emphasized a physical running game during Campbell’s tenure. However, the signing of Pacheco still suggests the Lions intend to remain committed to running the football rather than relying entirely on quarterback Jared Goff.

Colwander also noted that the additions — particularly Borom — should help strengthen Detroit’s pass protection and reduce the pressure on Goff.

Help Could Come Through the Draft

Some analysts believe the Lions could still address the offensive line early in the upcoming NFL Draft. Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN recently projected that Detroit might select Kadyn Proctor from University of Alabama with the No. 17 overall pick.

Kiper noted that the Lions entered free agency needing a new left tackle after Decker’s departure. While Borom provides some depth, he believes adding Proctor could give Detroit a long-term answer at the position. Despite some inconsistency last season, Proctor’s size, movement ability, and experience — including more than 40 career starts — could make him a strong candidate to protect Goff’s blind side as the Lions push to return to the playoffs.