The Lions return both starting tackles Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker. Sewell is widely considered the best right tackle in football, and Decker was a Pro Bowler last season. That's a nice returning tandem. Swing tackle Dan Skipper was re-signed this offseason, and Detroit has high hopes that last year's fourth-round pick, Giovanni Manu, can take a big step forward and compete for a role in his second season.
Decker will turn 32 years old before the start of the season and he's signed through the 2027 season. Giving Skipper, Manu and Jamarco Jones some young competition that pushes them for a role now, and who can play into their future plans at the position, could make sense if the player matches the draft slot.
Tackle class draft strength: Depth. There are six tackles that made NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah's most recent list of the Top 50 prospects in the class. It's a versatile bunch of youngsters with a number of players having position flexibility and experience playing both inside and on the edge. Don't be surprised if a number of these prospects begin their careers inside to get on the field and then transition outside.
Lions tackle depth chart: Sewell, Decker, Skipper, Manu, Jones.
View photos of the top tackle prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. (78) sets up to block against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell (66) gets ready to run a play against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
LSU offensive lineman Will Campbell runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Oregon offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. (76) holds off Illinois defensive lineman Alex Bray (11) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. Oregon won 38-9. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)
Oregon offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Minnesota offensive lineman Aireontae Ersery (69) blocks against Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter (11) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
Minnesota offensive lineman Aireontae Ersery runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
William & Mary offensive lineman Charles Grant (60) blocks during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in Williamsburg, Va. (AP Photo/Mike Caudill)
William & Mary offensive lineman Charles Grant, center, lifts at the NFL football scouting combine Monday, March 3, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
National team offensive lineman Marcus Mbow of Purdue (63) runs through drills during practice for the Senior Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, in Mobile, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Purdue offensive lineman Marcus Mbow runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Missouri offensive lineman Armand Membou (79) gets set at the line of scrimmage during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Missouri offensive lineman Armand Membou runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Ohio State offensive lineman Josh Simmons looks to block Michigan defensive lineman Kris Jenkins during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023, in Ann Arbor, Mich. Michigan won 30-24. (AP Photo/David Dermer)
Ohio State offensive lineman Josh Simmons participates in a drill during the school's NFL football pro day, Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Boston College offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo (70) anchors the line during the first half of an NCAA football game against Louisville on Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, in Chestnut Hill, Mass. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Boston College offensive lineman Ozzy Trapilo runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Texas offensive lineman Cameron Williams blocks during the first half of an NCAA football game against Louisiana-Monroe, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Austin, Texas. Texas won 51-3. (AP Photo/Michael Thomas)
Texas offensive lineman Cameron Williams (56) lines up for a play during the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game against between Texas and Ohio State, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Lions tackle draft priority: Low. Sewell and Decker are the tackles for the foreseeable future, and both are playing at a really high level right now. Skipper is a tone setter on offense for Detroit and his ability to step in and hold his own in a spot start is important.
The real wild card is Manu. Detroit knew last year was going to be a redshirt season for him coming from the University of British Columbia and adjusting to the NFL game. Can he take a big step? It sounds like they might try him at guard some this offseason as well. How big a jump he's made from Year 1 to Year 2 is really the biggest factor to whether the Lions view the position as a need or not. Getting a tackle who can also compete for reps at guard to begin with could make sense for Detroit.
Five tackles who could fit the Lions:
1. Josh Simmons, Ohio State
6-5, 317. Did not run 10-yard split.
Simmons is a three-year starter on both the left and right sides but is coming off a torn patellar tendon in his knee that limited him to only six games for the Buckeyes last season. The medicals will be important with him. When healthy, he's a very smooth and fluid player who has played a lot of football and it shows when watching him.
2. Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon
6-5 1/2, 311. 1.71 (seconds) 10-yard split.
Conerly was the anchor of an Oregon offensive line that was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award, given to the nation's most outstanding offensive line unit. Conerly played 965 offensive snaps, including 929 at left tackle, and allowed just one sack in 494 pass-rush reps while surrendering just nine total pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
3. Ozzy Trapilo, Boston College
6-8, 316. 1.77 10-yard split.
Trapilo has NFL bloodlines as his father, Steve, was a fourth-round pick by the Saints in 1987. He's got a big frame and uses it well in the pass-protection part of the game. Because of his height, pad level will also be a concern in the run game, but he's played both sides and could quickly compete as a swing tackle option.
4. Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota
6-6, 331. 1.75 10-yard split.
The Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year and a First-Team All-Big Ten performer, Ersery was a three-year starter for the Gophers. He's a huge tackle with a big frame, long arms and pretty good athleticism and quickness for his size.
5. Anthony Belton, N.C. State
6-6, 336. 1.82 10-yard split.
Belton has a huge frame and nearly 34-inch arms. He's a bulldozer in the run game but needs to fine-tune his technique a little bit more in pass protection. He's got better feet than most 330-pound-plus tackles and plays with pretty good pad level too. He's got good upside.
