The Detroit Lions added a franchise cornerstone in the first Draft under the direction of general manager Brad Holmes. In Penei Sewell, the Lions picked a guy who has quickly become one of the best offensive tackles in the league.
In three years since being drafted out of Oregon, Sewell has already risen to All-Pro status.
Now, in Holmes’ fourth year as GM, the Lions could seek out offensive line help in the form of another Oregon star. Jackson Powers-Johnson is viewed as one of the best offensive line prospects in the Draft and the highest-rated player at the center spot.
Powers-Johnson was asked during his media availability Saturday at the NFL Combine about what it would mean to join the Lions’ team.
“It’s huge just knowing that you’re going to an organization that has a great offensive line and a great team,” Powers-Johnson said. “I mean, it’s humbling seeing, humbling to even think I could be a part of something like that. Especially having a guy like, number 58, Penei Sewell, a guy coming from Oregon. It’s a cool scene, and I’m really honored to even be in the talk.”
The Lions have one of the league’s best offensive lines, having Sewell and Taylor Decker at tackle and Frank Ragnow at center. Both starting guards, Graham Glasgow and Jonah Jackson, are set to be free agents this summer.
With question marks at both guard spots, the Lions are rumored to be in the market for young offensive line help. While Ragnow currently holds the center position, scouts project that Powers-Johnson will have very little problem sliding to the guard position.
Additionally, Ragnow dealt with a multitude of injuries last season and the Oregon product would be good depth.
Detroit has built a strong offensive line through the Draft, and adding another in that medium would fit the pattern set by Holmes.
Lions meet with capable BYU OL
The Lions had an official interview with BYU offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia at the Combine, per reports Saturday.
Suamataia has the ability to play both the guard and tackle spots and has ties to the Lions, as he is the cousin of Sewell.
