Burning Question: Does Detroit Lions O-Line Need to Be Revamped

When the Detroit Lions are operating with a healthy offensive line, the offense hums at an elite level. Their record is nearly unscathed when all five starters are healthy. Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell bookend the unit at tackle, while Jonah Jackson, Frank Ragnow and Graham Glasgow give the team a veteran-laden interior.

However, the unit has been hampered by injury at times and will face multiple difficult decisions heading into the upcoming offseason. Among these are the contracts of Jackson and Glasgow, both of whom will be free agents at season’s end.

Jackson, a four-year veteran at left guard, has seen his season be interrupted by injuries. He has missed a total of five games this season. This makes for a tough evaluation regarding his future status. A Pro Bowl selection in 2021, he was expected to be playing at a high level and could’ve played his way into a high-caliber raise.

However, the injuries have hindered his progress. When he’s been on the field, Jackson has not performed nearly as well as the standard he’d set for himself in years past.

Heading into the final week of the regular season, he has been far and away the lowest-graded member of the starting unit by Pro Football Focus. He holds a 58.8 overall grade and has graded out lower than a 60.

0 in six of his 11 appearances. On 398 pass-blocking snaps, Jackson has allowed 23 pressures, eight quarterback hits and two sacks. This is compared to a year ago when he didn’t allow a single sack and just 26 pressures on 494 snaps. With the lower level of production and injuries setting him back, Jackson’s status could be uncertain moving forward.

Glasgow, on the other hand, has performed above expectations. Brought in to compete with incumbent starter Halapoulivaati Vaitai and provide depth at multiple positions, the veteran has become a key piece of the offensive line. When Vaitai was lost for the season after Week 2, Glasgow slid into the right guard position and hasn’t looked back

. The Michigan product has started games this season at both guard positions as well as at center when Frank Ragnow was injured. Glasgow holds a 77.7 overall PFF grade.

Before coming to Detroit, Glasgow had seemingly taken a step back in his play while with the Denver Broncos. He graded out poorly and was cut by the Broncos after last season, but has seemed reinvigorated after rejoining the Lions. Related: What They’re Saying: Dan Campbell’s Late-Game Decisions Scrutinized Both Glasgow and Jackson are interesting cases for the Lions.

Both players have been key parts of the team’s success, and the organization has emphasized cultural fit when bringing back key players since Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell took over. Penei Sewell is entering the final season of his rookie deal next season. Though the team will likely pick up his fifth-year option to tack on another year, he’s due for a hefty extension in the coming season.

Fellow tackle Taylor Decker, who has been a Lion since being drafted in 2016, will enter the final year of his deal next season. With other key foundational players, such as Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jared Goff, also up for extension, navigating the cap will be tricky for the organization. As a result, it’s worth keeping an eye on both throughout the remainder of Detroit’s season. The Lions’ offensive line has been solid in recent years, but there’s a chance it could feature new faces next season.

One way to do this is to replenish depth through the Draft, like the team did by drafting Colby Sorsdal in the fifth round last season. What is Lions’ biggest offseason need? The Lions have bigger needs this offseason than the offensive line, however, and would be wise to allocate their cap space toward upgrades defensively. Primarily, the secondary and pass-rush need a boost. Detroit’s defense has struggled to connect their success in rush and coverage all season. This has been a point of emphasis with defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who has recently experimented with unique blitzes in an effort to generate more heat on opposing passers.

The Lions would benefit from adding at least one more player in each area. The team signed Cam Sutton to be the top cornerback, but he’s struggled to stay in front of top-tier wideouts. Sutton has allowed 52 completions on 79 targets this season for 742 yards and four touchdowns. He has a 116.2 passer rating against, which signals the Lions could still improve at the position. Elsewhere, the Lions have cycled through multiple options opposite Sutton. Jerry Jacobs, Will Harris, Khalil Dorsey and Kindle Vildor have all started games at the position this season.