Free agency is well underway, but the Detroit Lions’ offensive line is still a work in progress. The Lions added Cade Mays earlier this week to fill their center position, but Taylor Decker created a game of “Whack-A-Mole” when he requested and was granted his release amid a contract dispute.
With Decker out of the fold, the Lions have had to find a replacement for Decker, but have stood patiently while signing Larry Borom for a reserve role. On Friday, another intriguing name came off the board when NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that former Green Bay Packers left tackle Rasheed Walker has agreed to a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers.
The Lions have been conservative while trying to fill Decker’s spot on the offensive line, allowing several names to come off the board while Detroit has searched for the right fit. But Walker would have been a particularly intriguing solution as a player who could serve as a stopgap for the future at the position.
Rasheed Walker’s Signing with Panthers Another Missed Opportunity for Lions
Adding a veteran offensive tackle has become a big need since Decker’s release. While Borom has played left tackle in the past, the Lions are more focused on putting him in a swing tackle role for depth purposes next season. Giovanni’s Manu stunted development throws another wrench into the situation, making a scenario where the Lions take an offensive tackle with the No. 17 overall pick in next month’s draft more likely.
NFL Mock Draft Database currently has the Lions selecting Georgia’s Monroe Freeling with that pick in their consensus mock draft, but he likely needs time to develop, with just 17 career starts with the Bulldogs. With other tackles such as Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor, Utah’s Caleb Lomu, and Clemson’s Blake Miller in similar situations, the Lions would benefit from finding someone to start in 2026 before turning that player loose in 2027.
Walker was projected to land a multi-year deal in excess of $20.3 million per season, according to Spotrac. But a report by ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Thursday morning suggested he may have to take a one-year deal. That made Walker a good fit for what the Lions are trying to do and added some familiarity due to his time as a three-year starter for the Packers.
Walker’s performance wasn’t among the game’s elite at the position, but he was serviceable, posting overall grades of 66.3 in 2023, 68.7 in 2024, and 63.0 last season, according to Pro Football Focus. While he allowed 14 sacks over 1,693 pass-blocking snaps, the Lions could have done worse than adding a player with a 6.6 percent pressure rate. Holding for one year was another benefit and could have given whoever Detroit adds a year of development to fill the left tackle spot for the long term.
Instead, Walker has come off the board, and the Lions are scrambling for his replacement. While they could draft a rookie and throw him into the fire, they need to win next year, increasing the pressure to land a dependable a veteran. While Jack Conklin remains on the board after his release from the Cleveland Browns, other options are running out, leading the Lions to play a dangerous game after Decker’s departure.