Premium Sports AnalysisDigital Edition
DetroitLionsCommunity
·

Mar 19, 2026, 1:01 PM CUT

Detroit Lions Linked to Taylor Decker Replacement to Protect Jared Goff

Jared Goff and Taylor Decker/ Images via Imago

The Detroit Lions have a huge hole to fill on their offensive line. Following Taylor Decker's exit, an ESPN analyst has linked the team to a top draft prospect to protect quarterback Jared Goff.

According to ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., “The Lions entered free agency with a Taylor Decker-sized hole at left tackle after the veteran asked for his release. They signed Larry Borom, but they shouldn't stop there. Proctor's play was a little uneven last season, but I think he can stick at left tackle in the NFL and could help keep Jared Goff upright as Detroit tries to get back to the playoffs.”

The Lions need to address the hole created by Decker's exit at LT. They have signed veteran Larry Borom in free agency, but Alabama's Kadyn Proctor could be the ideal replacement for Taylor Decker.

Proctor joined Alabama as a 5-star recruit and immediately made an impact, becoming a starting left tackle as a true freshman. He has played 40 games in his collegiate career and allowed 73 QB pressures and 17 sacks allowed.

In the 2025 season, the LT allowed only 22 QB pressures and 2 sacks. He earned Second-team All-SEC honors in 2024 and then had a breakout 2025 season where he was named a Consensus All-American, First-team All-SEC. Proctor also won the prestigious SEC Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the conference’s best lineman.

But How Good is Larry Borom To Protect Jared Goff?

Borom has signed a 1-year, $5,000,000 contract with the Detroit Lions. It includes a $2,500,000 signing bonus, $4,900,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $5,000,000. So the Lions must want to test him at the LT as well.

During the 2025 regular season, he logged 664 offensive snaps, including 404 pass-blocking snaps and 260 run-blocking snaps, all at right tackle. Over that span, he allowed 2 sacks, 3 quarterback hits, and 15 total pressures, while committing 5 penalties.

Plus, Borom has said that joining the Detroit Lions was a deeply emotional and special moment for him. He felt like coming home since he grew up in Detroit. So, how do you think the LT of the Detroit Lions should be?

Read more at the Detroit Lions Community!

Written by

Reyansh Dubey

Edited by

Siddharth Shirwadkar