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Lions: 3 pending free agents to watch when the Titans travel to Baltimore

By Bob Heyrman

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 24: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball during the third quarter of the game to score a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 24: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans runs with the ball during the third quarter of the game to score a touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

Jack Conklin

The Detroit Lions desperately need to upgrade their offensive line, especially if they foolishly allow starting right guard Graham Glasgow to walk in free agency.

Sure they don’t play the same position, but Detroit may decide to move on from Rick Wagner, who struggled mightily last season grading out as one of the worst right tackles in all of football.  That means something will need to be accomplished on the right side of their O-line.

Conklin played his college ball with the Michigan State Spartans; he’s from Plainwell, Michigan, and perhaps if not retained by the Titians, would be willing to join the Detroit Lions.

Conklin is an impressive run-blocking tackle, something the Lions drastically need to improve on.  He graded out 78.0 overall by Pro Football Focus, respectable but nowhere near elite.  To compare, Rick Wagner was handed a 59.1 grade, which is atrocious.

Jack was the 8th overall pick by the Titans from the 2016 NFL Draft.  Conklin performed very well during his rookie season, but his play declined in both of his next two seasons.  Unlike the Detroit Lions, who picked up Taylor Decker’s fifth-year option, Tennessee failed to do so with Conklin forcing him to prove himself once again.  Prove himself he did; he provided the Titans with the best overall performance this season.

Conklin excelled in run blocking, part of which is due to the fact that Derrick Henry is going to maul over would-be tacklers more than any other back in the league.  According to PFF, Jack provided the Titans with a terrific 80.5 run-blocking grade to compliment his respectable 72.4 pass-blocking mark.

I’d expect the Titans to try and re-sign Jack, but they are in a tough spot.  Quarterback Ryan Tannehill needs a new deal along with Derrick Henry.  Once both of those players are signed, there won’t be much money to spend unless they expect to fill the remainder of their roster out with cheap draft choices and free agents.

Conklin allowed a mere 4 sacks and 4 QB hits in 2019.

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