The Detroit Lions’ offense runs at a high level when they have a healthy offensive line.
When all five of their starters are fit, they have an almost perfect record. The team’s interior is heavily experienced, with Graham Glasgow, Frank Ragnow, and Taylor Decker at tackle and Penei Sewell at the other end.
But injuries have occasionally plagued the team, and they will have to make a number of tough choices before the next offseason. Jackson and Glasgow’s contracts, who will both be unrestricted free agents at the conclusion of the season, are among them.
Glasgow and Jackson, should the Lions re-sign?
Jackson has been a left guard for four years, and injuries have disrupted his season. This season, he has missed five games in all.
This means assessing his future standing will be difficult. He was projected to be performing at a high level and had the opportunity to play his way into a significant increase after being selected for the Pro Bowl in 2021.
But his progress has been hampered by his ailments. Jackson has not performed nearly as well on the field as he had set for himself in previous years.
JHe has been by far the lowest-graded starting unit member by Pro Football Focus going into the last week of the regular season. With 11 appearances, he has an overall score of 58.8, and in six of those, he received a grade below a 60.0.
Jackson has allowed 23 pressures, 8 quarterback hits, and 2 sacks on 398 pass-blocking snaps. In contrast, he gave up only 26 pressures on 494 snaps and just a single sack a year ago.
Given his decreased output and the setbacks from injuries, Jackson’s future prospects may be questionable.
Glasgow, though, has outperformed all predictions. The veteran was brought in to challenge Halapoulivaati Vaitai, the team’s current starter, and to offer depth at several spots. He has since developed into an important member of the offensive line.
Following Vaitai’s season-ending injury in Week 2, Glasgow moved into the right guard spot and hasn’t looked back.
This season, the Michigan graduate has started at center when Frank Ragnow was hurt in addition to both guard and guard positions. Glasgow’s total PFF grade is 77.7.
Glasgow had appeared to regress in his play while with the Denver Broncos prior to moving to Detroit. After last season, the Broncos terminated him due to his poor grades, but since joining the Lions again, he appears to be in better shape.
