After losing Kevin Zeitler in free agency, the Lions could benefit from signing a veteran guard for depth before the draft.

Earlier this offseason, the Detroit Lions took a hit to their interior offensive line after veteran Kevin Zeitler departed in free agency. The 35-year-old signed a one-year contract worth $9.85 million with the Tennessee Titans.

With Zeitler gone, Detroit currently has second-year guard Christian Mahogany penciled in at right guard and Colby Sorsdal, a 2023 fifth-rounder, serving as the primary backup. Mahogany appeared in seven games and started once last season.

Sorsdal, on the other hand, has played in 17 games and made three starts over his first two NFL seasons.

Given the present depth chart, the Lions could use a veteran presence to compete with the young linemen. Fortunately for them, a seasoned offensive lineman with 31 career games is now available in free agency.

According to Jonathan M Alexander of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans released guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr. on Monday to make room for tight end Irv Smith Jr.

Anchrum Jr. had signed a futures/reserve deal with Houston after their playoff elimination earlier this year.

The 35-year-old joined the Texans late in 2024 after being released by the Saints at final cuts last August. Before his stint in New Orleans, he had signed with the Seahawks during free agency last year.

Anchrum landed on the Texans’ practice squad on November 4, 2024, and didn’t play in any regular season or postseason games. The 6-foot-2, 314-pound lineman was originally a seventh-round pick by the Rams in the 2020 NFL Draft.

As a rookie in 2020, Anchrum played in 12 games, mostly on special teams. His second season was lost to injured reserve. He played in two games in 2022 before another stint on IR.

In 2023, Anchrum suited up for 17 games with the Rams, logging 96 offensive snaps. While his preseason showing with the Saints wasn’t ideal, there’s some potential to develop.

Per Pro Football Focus, he earned a 51.0 run block grade (147th out of 182 guards), but excelled in pass protection with an 85.0 grade (15th overall). Across 99 snaps, he allowed zero sacks and was flagged only once.

If Detroit decided to take a flyer on Anchrum, the expectation wouldn’t be for him to overtake Mahogany or Sorsdal. Rather, he could bolster depth and contribute as a practice squad option during the regular season.