The offensive line figures to be a big part of the Detroit Lions’ offseason acquisition plan. And while the interior offensive line will probably see the most change over the upcoming months, Detroit has publicly committed to improving their situation at tackle, as well.
In the latest installment of our 2026 Detroit Lions free agency preview, we take a look at some options for the Lions at offensive tackle.
Previously:
- Backup QB free agent best fits
- Best free agent RBs to replace David Montgomery
- Best TE free agent fits
Under contract:
- OT Penei Sewell
- OT Taylor Decker
- OT Giovanni Manu
- OT Devin Cochran
Lions free agents:
- OT Jamarco Jones
- OT Chris Hubbard
While Taylor Decker’s announcement that he’ll return
in 2026 takes some of the immediate need away, Lions head coach Dan Campbell said at the NFL Combine that the team will need some reinforcements regardless.
“As much as I love Deck, he’s got some things that are going to need some management. That’s kind of where we’re at. 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.
That doesn’t exactly bode well for Giovanni Manu, but it does suggest the Lions will be in the market for a capable spot starter at tackle. So let’s explore some options.
Top free agent OT available:
Note: Estimated contract numbers are via PFF.
- OT Rasheed Walker (estimated contract: four years, $84M)
- OT Jermaine Eluemunor (three years, $36M)
- OT Braden Smith (two years, $27.5M)
It’s not a great year to need a starting offensive tackle, and, thankfully, Decker’s return means Detroit likely won’t be spending a ton at the position in free agency. Eluemunor played with the Giants under Mike Kafka, but I don’t suspect Detroit will bother jumping into that bidding war.
Best fits:
- OT Trent Brown (one year, $2.13M)
- OT Jack Conklin (one year, $3M)
- OT Kendall Lamm (one year, $1.3M)
- OT Justin Skule (one year, $1.5M)
The common theme with most of these options: aging tackles who have plenty of starting experience, but are no longer playing at a starting level.
Brown is entering his 12th year in the NFL. He spent about half of 2025 on the Texans practice squad before getting the call up and starting seven games for them at right tackle. He held up relatively well, only allowing one sack and 12 pressures—earning a 66.o PFF pass blocking grade. Capable of playing both sides, Brown is nothing if not reliable depth.
Conklin is the high-ceiling, low-floor option. Once an All-Pro talent, Conklin has seen his career decimated by injury. He’s had a couple of knee surgeries and missed games last year due to two separate concussions. Over the last five seasons, he’s missed more games (43) than he’s played (42). But he’s a good player, a Michigan native, and overlapped with Drew Petzing from 2020-22 in Cleveland.
Capable of playing either tackle position, Lamm has spent the majority of his career as a backup swing tackle. But when forced into action—like his seven starts in 2024 and eight in 2023—he’s proven to be somewhat reliable. He allowed just four sacks over that time, although his run blocking leaves a lot to be desired. He also briefly overlapped with Petzing in Cleveland, and even had a short training camp stint with the Lions in 2022.
Skule is the youngest of the bunch at a ripe 29 years old. A backup swing tackle for most of his career, Skule was forced into the Vikings’ lineup last year and did alright. Though he allowed seven sacks in nine starts, he did hold up against Myles Garrett and would bring some cheap experience to a team that needs a Dan Skipper replaceent.
