The Detroit Lions are looking to upgrade their offensive line this offseason, and their first free agent interest comes from an interesting source.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Lions are hosting former Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills on a free agency visit on Thursday. Wills has also met with the Patriots, per Schultz.
Wills is a fascinating option for the Lions. Drafted 10th overall in the 2020 NFL Draft—the second offensive tackle off the board, only behind Andrew Thomas—Wills
started 45 games at left tackle for the Cleveland Browns in his first three years. Unfortunately, that’s when the injuries hit. He suffered an MCL injury midway through 2023, and he’s been dealing with complications since. He played just eight games in 2023, five in 2024, and he opted to sit the entire 2025 season in order to get right.
When on the field, Wills was a mixed bag. As a pass blocker, he was strong in his first few years, which led to Cleveland activating is fifth-year option for the 2024 season. But upon the injury, his play declined. He’s also just been okay as a run blocker, never grading higher than 61.7 in PFF run blocking grade.
That said, he came out of Alabama as one of the cleaner prospect. He had outstanding production with the Crimson Tide (88.8 PFF grade in 2018, including a 90.5 run blocking score), and his 8.42 RAS score proved he had the athleticism to hang at the next level. There could certainly be some untapped potential there. He will turn just 27 in May.
The Lions could have some extra insight on Wills, as he overlapped with new Lions offensive coordinator Drew Petzing while in Cleveland. Petzing, at the time, was the tight ends coach (2020-21) and quarterbacks coach (2022).
While Detroit doesn’t have a need for a starter right now after Taylor Decker announced he would return for the 2026 season, coach Dan Campbell said last week at the NFL Combine that they still felt the need to add a starting-capable tackle regardless of what Decker’s decision would be.
“One way or another, we’re going to need somebody that can play over there and that can help us if we need them in a crunch or we need them as a starter,” Campbell said.
Because Wills is not on an expiring contract, he can currently sign with whatever team he wants, even before the start of the new league year on Wednesday.
