In a somewhat shocking turn of events, longtime Detroit Lions LT Taylor Decker won't be back. He was surprisingly released after the team asked him to take a pay cut, leading one to believe things may have gotten messy at the end of his tenure in the Motor City.
Not many teams expected Decker to become available, so he may now be the most prominent OT name in free agency. As such, it shouldn't be long before the Cleveland Browns continue their offensive line overhaul by making him a Godfather-like offer. It just makes too much sense.
Taylor Decker's Release is a Blessing for the Cleveland Browns
Browns GM Andrew Berry praised the Chicago Bears for how they rebuilt their entire offensive line in one offseason. He's trying to do the same in Cleveland, trading for veteran RT Tytus Howard and signing G Zion Johnson and IOL Elgton Jenkins.
Now that he's filled three offensive line positions, he'll have to round things up by adding a proven blindside protector. Decker and Rasheed Walker are the best options available, but the former Lions star is clearly a better choice. Spotrac projects his market value at $21.3 million a year, and he'll likely want a three or four-year pact at the very least.
Adding Decker to the mix would allow the Browns to get creative with the No. 6 pick. Instead of taking OTs like Spencer Fano or Francis Mauigoa, they could use that selection to get a true WR1 in Carnell Tate, trade down, or maybe even go with the best player available and get a top prospect like Caleb Downs or Sonny Styles.
As for the Lions, losing the 31-year-old pass-blocker will be a huge blow. He started 140 regular-season contests over a decade in Detroit, and there aren't many suitable options to replace him on the open market.
According to Pro Football Focus, Decker gave up just two sacks in 551 pass-blocking snaps. He allowed 33 total pressures and three QB hits, and he was also called for five penalties. While the penalties weren't ideal, he was a reliable veteran who could keep the quarterback out of harm's way, and those don't grow in trees.
The Lions will have a tough time finding someone to fill that gap. Still, with two picks in the top-50, perhaps they can get creative to move up a couple of spots and get their hands on Georgia star Monroe Freeling in the early teens.