The Detroit Lions made some moves during free agency, but didn't break the bank on any of them. One area that needs some clarity is at left tackle after Taylor Decker requested his release. After a decade in the Motor City, he wanted a change of scenery, and it seems like the door is closed on a possible return.
The Lions decided to add left tackle Larry Borom on a one-year, $5 million deal that includes $4.9 million guaranteed. It didn't take long for that contract to age poorly, potentially leaving the Lions with some buyer's remorse.
As we come to the close of March, they could be regretting this move, especially after seeing the contract details for left tackle Rasheed Walker.
Lions Should've Chosen Rasheed Walker Over Larry Borom
When free agency opened, there were rumors that Walker would get a deal that paid him around $20 million annually, but that never materialized. Instead, he got a one-year, $4 million deal with the Carolina Panthers that can go up to $10 million with incentives. And for a Lions team looking for a starter at LT, this would have made more sense for them.
Walker spent the last four seasons with the Green Bay Packers, where he started 48 games, including at least 15 starts in three straight seasons. Between 2023 and 2025, Walker finished with a 63-plus overall grade and a 69-plus pass-blocking grade on Pro Football Focus. Although his run-blocking grades never exceeded 56, he could have provided Detroit with a plug-and-play starter while stealing a starter from a division rival.
Instead of turning to a former rival, the Lions are rolling with Borom, who never had more than 11 starts in a season. While they could use the NFL draft to improve at LT, Walker could have saved them from doing that in 2026.
During the 2025 season, Borom played in a career-high 664 offensive snaps but finished with a 60.7 overall grade, 67.1 pass-blocking grade, and a 54.4 run-blocking grade on PFF. Detroit could believe there's meat on the bone in terms of his development, but giving him that contract when a player like Walker got less isn't the best use of assets.
The Lions added Borom when the tampering period opened on March 9, only for Walker to join the Panthers a few days later. Had Detroit shown patience, it could have improved its LT situation while sending a message to an NFC North rival.
Instead, Borom is in the Motor City, with no clear indication if he'll be their starter in 2026. The Lions have made their beds, and now it's time to sleep in them. They're taking a major leap of faith with Borom, and if it doesn't work out, failing to pursue Walker harder will look even worse this time next year.