Detroit Lions add to offensive line with trade, signing
By Zac Snyder
The Detroit Lions have made a trade and a free agent signing in the wake of Taylor Decker‘s shoulder injury that will cost him significant time.
Offensive line wasn’t supposed to be a question mark for the Detroit Lions this season but Taylor Decker’s shoulder surgery has brought the left tackle position into doubt. Even if Decker returns as expected as some point during the season, the Lions will have to bridge the gap until that time.
The Lions aren’t standing pat with what they already have on their roster in their attempt to do so. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and other media reports, the Lions have made a trade with the Los Angeles Rams to add Greg Robinson.
Rams traded former No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson to Lions for a 2018 sixth-round draft pick, source tells ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 15, 2017
Detroit needed another OT with injury to Taylor Decker and Rams were using OT Jamin Brown ahead of Greg Robinson. Thus, a trade.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 15, 2017
Robinson has been a bust since being drafted with the second overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and was losing his standing on the Rams roster.
In addition to the trade, ESPN’s Field Yates reports that free agent offensive lineman Cyrus Kouandjio, formerly of the Buffalo Bills.
Source: in addition to trading for Robinson, the Lions have signed former Bills second round OT Cyrus Kouandijo. https://t.co/1GLyEbSEXn
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) June 15, 2017
Cyrus Kouandjio was a second round pick of the Bills in the 2014 NFL Draft and made five starts at left tackle last season.
As Chris Burke notes, the move to pick up Robinson might not have all that much, if anything, to do with Decker’s injury. Right tackle isn’t a problem with the big signing of Rick Wagner at the start of free agency, and Robinson has proven himself to not be a solution at left tackle. The Rams were in the process of moving Robinson to the right side of their line, and it could be that he ends up inside at the expense of Laken Tomlinson.
I don't think it's out of the question that the Lions use Greg Robinson as a guard and look to move Laken Tomlinson.
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurkeNFL) June 15, 2017
Robinson comes to Detroit on the final year of his rookie deal with all $3,322,377 in base salary guaranteed. It would figure that means the Lions have definite plans for him, why add the financial commitment otherwise?
Next: Breaking down the Lions' running back situation
Offensive line should have been one of the more orderly positions to watch during training camp but an interesting battle for rosters spots, positions and playing time could be taking shape. Following the news, Jim Caldwell said both players will compete at left tackle. Obviously only one can win, so we’ll see what happens after that.