General manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell entered the offseason knowing they needed to upgrade the offensive line. So far, the Detroit Lions have followed through with this plan, trading away David Montgomery for offensive linemen Juice Scruggs and draft compensation.
However, Detroit still has work to do at the position. After releasing Graham Glasgow, the Lions must fill his void in the interior. While there are plenty of quality centers they can sign in free agency, the Lions have several needs to address and lack the financial flexibility to address them all.
Fortunately for Brad Holmes and the rest of the front office, the Dallas Cowboys have provided them with the perfect opportunity to strengthen their line. According to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz, the Cowboys “are not planning to tender C/G Brock Hoffman as an RFA”, which would make him an unrestricted free agent and a potential low-cost target for the Lions.
Both Holmes and Campbell should be thrilled with this news and pounce on the opportunity to sign Hoffman, as his positional versatility would be a major addition for this Lions offensive line.
Hoffman Should Be on the Lions Radar After Cowboys' Decision
Hoffman, 26, has played with the Cowboys for four seasons, serving as a depth piece in his first two years before being the team’s primary guard and center backup, starting 14 games over the last two seasons. Across 1,212 career snaps, Hoffman has proven to be a capable backup, allowing two sacks and 14 hurries, per Pro Football Focus. For a team that is facing the questions up front that the Lions are, taking a swing on what should be an affordable piece like Hoffman seems like an easy decision to make.
While he hasn’t necessarily stood out as an effective run or pass blocker, he hasn’t been terrible either. Although he must improve upon committing fewer penalties, having drawn 10 for his career, Hoffman’s versatility should intrigue the Lions. He’s logged 684 snaps at center and 526 snaps split between both guard spots, providing valuable flexibility in the interior.
Since the Lions released Glasgow, they’re now thin at depth in the interior and could use Hoffman’s experience. Looking at their current depth chart, they have Miles Frazier, Michael Niese, and Seth McLaughlin as their backups. Combined, the trio has played just 58 snaps. Detroit has legitimate title aspirations, and it is hard to see those coming to fruition if one of those three were thrust into a situation where they were depended on for the long haul.
Considering the Lions' extensive injury history over the last two seasons, this franchise cannot afford to rely on inexperienced backups. Adding Hoffman to the mix would instantly give the Lions a dependable veteran who can provide starting-caliber reps, if needed.
It wouldn't be out of the question to see Hoffman potentially compete for a starting spot in the interior, either. While Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany will be the likely starters, the Lions could sign Hoffman to compete with Scruggs for the last interior spot.
Although they gave up on Montgomery to acquire Scruggs, that doesn’t guarantee the lineman has already earned the starting role. Since his tenure with the Houston Texans was extremely underwhelming, Hoffman has a legitimate opportunity to compete with him for playing time.
Hoffman Should Be an Affordable Addition
Beyond his value as an experienced, versatile lineman, Hoffman would also be an ideal fit due to his likely affordable price tag. Hoffman could command a contract similar to the ones signed by Ben Brown and Brady Christensen.
Brown signed a two-year, $5 million extension with the New England Patriots, while Christensen signed a one-year, $2.78 million contract last year with the Carolina Panthers. Since this year’s free agency class consists of several superb starting-caliber centers and numerous teams needing help at that position, Hoffman could easily land a two-year deal worth $6 million.
If this is Hoffman’s price tag, the Lions should leap at the opportunity to sign him. Having reliable depth is a must in the NFL, and signing Hoffman addresses Detroit's need in this area.
The former Virginia Tech standout would strengthen the Lions' offensive line and provide Detroit with a capable starter in the interior. For a team whose line struggled to create space for runners last year, the decision to sign Hoffman should be a no-brainer for Holmes and Campbell.