Holmes committed to keeping Lions’ OL a strength

Throughout the entire season, the offensive line performance of the Detroit Lions was their greatest asset.

With veteran left tackle Taylor Decker and first-time All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell, Detroit possesses one of the best tackle tandems in the league. Frank Ragnow, a center, has been an All-Pro thrice, most recently this season. Pro Football Focus rated him and Sewell as the best center and tackle in the NFL this season. Both Graham Glasgow and Jonah Jackson are excellent guards.

The importance of that unit to the team’s performance will not go unnoticed by Lions general manager Brad Holmes when it comes time to start making roster changes in free agency and the draft this winter.

That’s the makeup of our group. After the season, Holmes stated, “I mean, our offensive line, us being able to protect the quarterback and run the football like we do, that’s extremely important.”

This offseason, Holmes must make a few decisions pertaining to the offensive line. Both Glasgow and Jackson will have unrestricted free agency.

After the season, Ragnow discussed the physical toll that his battles with toe, ankle, knee, and back problems had taken on him. He needs some time to assess the impact of his injury predicament on his future throughout this offseason.

“It wears you out,” Ragnow remarked. “It really takes a toll on you, so I need to find a way to get back to Frank and I don’t regret any of this at all, but it weighs on you and I’m just going to take some time and really figure everything out to make sure that I’m feeling good, not only for me the football player but for me to be the best husband and best father and everything with that as well.”

The 28-year-old Ragnow has three years left on his $54 million, four-year contract.

Regarding his seasoned center, Holmes remarked, “And look, Ragnow, it’s only one of them on the planet, in my opinion.” “However, I greatly respect him.” and I just want to show him my respect for his time and thoughts for what he struggles through. Furthermore, we won’t put any pressure on him to act or take any action. But there will be careful communication. It will be respectful and comprehensive.”

There are still decisions to be made, but Holmes made it plain that he places a high premium on maintaining Detroit’s offensive line as the finest in the league.

“That’ll be an area that will not be overlooked,” he stated. “As good as it has been in the past, just those points that you’ve raised, it’s definitely going to be a point of emphasis still.”

Former All-Pro DE of Rival is expected to sign a $67 million contract with the Lions.

This offseason, the Detroit Lions need strengthen their porous pass defense. However, David Kenyon of Bleacher Report believed the Lions will accomplish it without having to leave the NFC North. Kenyon predicted that defensive end Danielle Hunter of the Minnesota Vikings will sign a three-year, $67 million contract with the Lions.

Hunter was guaranteed $51 million according to Kenyon’s forecast.

Hunter recorded a career-high 16.5 sacks in 2023, and he has recorded 10 or more sacks in five of his eight seasons, according to Kenyon. There has never been a greater value than his. Although Minnesota’s financial situation is unfortunate due to their own actions, the NFC North opponent Detroit Lions have a significant need for a pass rusher.

In 2018, Hunter joined the All-Pro second team. Additionally, he has appeared in four of the previous five Pro Bowls, including 2022 and 2023.

In 2023, Hunter led the NFL with 23 tackles for loss and recorded a career-high 16.5 sacks. In addition, he had four forced fumbles and 22 quarterback hits.

How the Lions Could Use Danielle Hunter

Hunter makes a lot of sense for Detroit, despite the fact that he will reach 32 before the end of his three-year contract.

Last season, the Lions led the league in several analytical pass-rushing metrics, including pressure rate, hurry percentage, and quarterback knockdown rate. With 41 sacks, they were tied for 23rd place, nevertheless.

Of those 41 sacks, 16.5 were shared by defensive tackle Alim McNeill and defensive end Aidan Hutchinson. Among Lions defenders, none had more than three.

If Hunter is signed, the Lions will have a Pro Bowl-caliber rusher to complement Hutchinson. Hutchinson could perform better with Hunter around, which may result in between the two rushers alone accounting for 30 to 35 sacks.

In his eight years in the NFL, Hunter has five times recorded double-digit sacks. He has only failed to reach 10 sacks in the previous five years once, in 2021, when he appeared in just 7 games.

James Houston, a second-year defender, was anticipated to be Hutchinson’s complementary edge rusher going into 2023. However, Houston’s ankle injury from Week 2 kept him out of action for the majority of the 2023 campaign.

Houston might still play a big role in Detroit’s future. However, that shouldn’t deter the Lions from going after Hunter, an already excellent edge rusher.

Hunter, who just had a career-high season in sacks, tackles, tackles for loss, and tackles, has the ability to elevate Detroit’s defensive line to the status of one of the best in the NFL.