Lions left tackle Taylor Decker warms up during open practice at Family Fest at Ford Field on Saturday, August 6, 2022.
Another offensive line ranking is out, and the Detroit Lions have ranked highly again.
By many accounts, the Detroit Lions have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. Just don’t tell that to one notable outlet, they won’t believe it. Of course the No. 1 key this year will be health, after Taylor Decker, Jonah Jackson, Frank Ragnow, Halapoulivaati Vaitai and Penei Sewell did not play a single snap together last year.
Justin Boone of The Score has a fresh ranking of NFL offensive lines, counting down from 32-1, with fantasy football in mind.
The Lions land in the top-10, at No. 4.
4. Detroit Lions
POS. STARTER
LT Taylor Decker
LG Jonah Jackson
C Frank Ragnow
RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai
RT Penei Sewell
- Top to bottom, the Lions’ starting five stacks up well against any offensive line on this list. Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, and Penei Sewell are first-round picks who play up to the draft capital spent on them. Third-rounder Jonah Jackson and free agent Halapoulivaati Vaitai are capable guards who round out the unit well.
- The knock on Detroit’s O-line is a lack of depth. One injury to a member of its starting lineup could have unpleasant consequences, like when Ragnow missed 13 games last season.
- With a top-tier set of blockers, playmakers like D’Andre Swift and T.J. Hockenson returning from injury-marred campaigns, Amon-Ra St. Brown ready to pick up where he left off, and newcomers like D.J. Chark and Jameson Williams hoping to make an impact this season – it’s no wonder Jared Goff is getting rave reviews in training camp. Don’t sleep on this Lions’ offense in 2022.
Detroit Lions’ success offensively this year will start up front
From protecting the fairly immobile Jared Goff better, to opening running lanes for D’Andre Swift, the straw that stirs the Lions’ offensive drink this year will be the big guys up front. Decker’s return from a late preseason injury last year was followed closely by Goff’s best play of the season, as Sewell shifted to right tackle as orginally projected.
Overall, with three different backs in the lead role at different points last year, Detroit’s rushing attack was the best it had been since Barry Sanders was the main man.
Boone notes a lack of depth for the Lions’ offensive line, which is absolutely a thing. But he may not have noticed that Evan Brown filled in pretty capably for Ragnow last year.