Lions: Detroit needs to prioritize re-signing guard Graham Glasgow

The Detroit Lions need to re-sign starting guard Graham Glasgow. Detroit’s offensive line is nothing more than average, so why let the third-best of the five-person unit walk in free agency?

It’s the same old situation for the Detroit Lions. Remember Larry Warford? Detroit allowed Warford to walk; at the time, he was one of the only bright spots on the Detroit offensive line, and the Detroit Lions are back in a similar position this offseason with Graham Glasgow, who oddly enough plays the same position.

Glasgow eventually moved from being Detroit’s starting center a year ago to the starting right guard position. Glasgow played well enough last season to earn himself a starting job in this league. There is no need for a foolish guard rotation. If Glasgow moves on from Detroit, he will be penciled in as the starting guard or center depending on where he signs. His versatility will be desirable on the open market.

I mentioned Warford because he was a player I desperately wanted the Lions to resign. He’s been so good for the New Orleans Saints since departing Detroit. I have a feeling Detroit will regret not retaining Glasgow if they indeed allow him to skip town. Sure, Larry Warford wasn’t precisely happy and didn’t exactly get along with Detroit’s coaching staff.

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If you remember under offensive coordinator Scott Linehan’s offensive scheme, Warford excelled. He’s a mauler, a power blocker. When Detroit flipped offensive schemes to more of a zone running scheme, using more agile, athletic guards, he didn’t fit. Although Alvin Kamara isn’t exactly a bruiser, he does run in between the tackles. Still, Warford is the perfect fit in Sean Payton‘s balanced attack, especially when he was blocking for Mark Ingram and now Latavious Murray, both straight-ahead power runners.

Also, look at Laken Tomlinson for the San Francisco 49ers. Another former Detroit Lions draft pick they gave up on who is starting for a Super Bowl bound team. He’s not a superstar, but he’s proven to be consistent for Kyle Shanahan’s run-heavy offense. Detroit can’t continue to allow players they’ve invested draft picks on to continue to excel elsewhere.

Glasgow played exceptionally well last season with Detroit, it’s time to reward him with a contract extension. Although the team has plenty of needs throughout there roster and doesn’t appear willing to open up the vault to pay Graham around the $10 million per season he should receive on the open market, but they should.

Detroit needs to build this team from the inside out. Detroit is fielding an outstanding left tackle in Taylor Decker, who is entering the final year of his deal. Joe Dahl was a surprise last season as he exceeded expectations.

Center Frank Ragnow is exceptional. I firmly believe he will be a top-three center in this league as soon as next season. Rick Wagner was horrible last year. So Detroit with a weakness at right tackle is considering allowing their above average, versatile right guard to walk in free agency? I don’t agree with that.

Glasgow is a tier two type guard who earned himself a 74.1 overall grade by Pro Football Focus. Brandon Scherff is a pending free agent for the Washington Redskins. He’s the best guard available and is expected to earn somewhere in the neighborhood of $14 million/season this offseason. Detroit simply isn’t going to upgrade, it’s going to be the exact opposite.

If anything, Detroit will quietly try to fill the void at the bargain annex with either a mid-level draft choice in the upcoming draft or Kenny Wiggins, who continued to enter the game last year as a part of that ridiculous guard rotation. Detroit may also try and bandaid the position with Beau Benzschawel next season. All these options would be a step in the wrong direction.

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Please re-sign Glasgow, a former third-round pick, solidify the position and spend money in the trenches. Stop this revolving door non-sense. Detroit’s first priority should be protecting Matthew Stafford, especially with his back issue.

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