5 Offensive Linemen Lions Should Watch at NFL Combine.
The offensive line is the most intriguing aspect of the Detroit Lions’ offseason plans for 2024.
Both starting guards, Jonah Jackson and Graham Glasgow, are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents. Taylor Decker, the left tackle, is entering his contract year, while Penei Sewell is expected to receive a significant extension.
Centre Frank Ragnow is also in an unusual position, having overcome several injuries to remain a consistent element in the middle of the line.
With decisions to make at both guard positions, Lions general manager Brad Holmes must decide whether to keep his seasoned players or go elsewhere for solutions.
The NFL Draft features a strong crop of interior linemen, and the forthcoming scouting combine allows evaluators to get a thorough look at their athletic ability.
The Lions should keep an eye out for these five offensive lineman at the NFL combine, which starts Tuesday.
Frazier is one of several centres who are expected to be able to play both guard positions. He also has an interesting athletic history, which will appeal to assessors.
He is a punishing blocker, and his physicality can be traced back to his high school wrestling career, where he won three state championships and lost only twice in four years on the mat.
Frazier shown the ability to pull from the centre position, which will translate to the professional level. He has good feet and strong hands, which enable him to halt down blitzers.
Powers-Johnson is regarded the top centre prospect in the draft, but he is also athletic enough to play guard. He was one of the top performers.
The current Rimington Award winner concluded the 2023 season with an 85.2 run-blocking mark and an 84.3 total offensive grade, according to Pro Football Focus. He was extremely effective in a high-powered Oregon offence.
Powers-Johnson, a unanimous All-American, is capable of imposing his will on both sides of his blocks. In both the run and pass games, he shows an amazing ability to finish blocks and get downfield.
McCormick, who plays for FCS South Dakota State, is one of the more appealing small-school talents in this year’s draft. The Jackrabbits, captained by Isaiah Davis, had a run-oriented offence, and McCormick was an important element of their success.
He was a left guard in college and was named a first-team All-American in the FCS. He demonstrated his physicality and used his muscle to move opponents and create running spaces for Davis, who is also expected to be drafted in April.
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