The Detroit Lions signed inside offensive lineman Graham Glasgow to a one-year, prove-it contract last offseason. That worked out for both the Lions and Glasgow, as he performed well and earned a new three-year contract in March. A similar strategy could be on the table for the Lions this season with veteran offensive guard Andrus Peat.
Russell Brown of USA Today’s Lions Wire advocated that Detroit sign Peat to a one-year contract “to prove himself” in 2024.
“We’ve seen the Lions take a swing on players who were with the Saints when Dan Campbell and Aaron Glenn were there,” Brown stated in an email. “Andrus Peat, an offensive lineman, is among such athletes.
“At 30 years old, his play is on the decline, but the three-time Pro Bowler (2018-2020) should have enough left in the tank for a season or two in Detroit.”
“Time will tell, but I could see him getting a one-year deal to prove himself to another organization.”
Peat has spent his whole nine-year career with the New Orleans Saints. But with the Saints, he’s played every offensive line position except center.
From 2018 to 2020, Peat appeared in three straight Pro Bowls.
In 2023, Peat made 12 starts, primarily at left tackle.
Could the Lions pursue offensive lineman Andrus Peat in the NFL free agency?
With Glasgow’s re-signing, the Lions will retain four of their five starting offensive lineman in 2023. That’s wonderful news for Detroit, as Pro Football Focus ranked the Lions’ offensive line as the second-best offensive front in 2023.
The only starter Detroit will lose this summer is left guard Jonah Jackson. He agreed to a three-year, $51 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams at the start of NFL free agency.
So, if the Lions add a starter to their offensive line before the NFL draft, it’ll most likely be a left guard.
Although Peat played left tackle last season, he has primarily played left guard throughout his career. That’s where he began his three-year Pro Bowl run with the Saints.
Dan Campbell, the Lions’ head coach, was an assistant coach for the Saints throughout Peat’s three seasons as a Pro Bowler.
In addition to Brown, Zack Moran of USA Today’s Lions Wire connected the Lions with Peat.
“Peat’s primary position has been left guard throughout his career, coincidentally aligning with the vacancy left by Jonah Jackson’s departure,” Moran wrote in a statement.
“Projections anticipate a modest one-year contract of $4 million for Peat, which fits perfectly within the Lions’ financial restrictions. Given Campbell’s acquaintance with Peat, his seasoned presence, and his versatile skill set, Peat looms as an appealing target for the Lions to pursue.
Peat might battle with inexperienced interior offensive linemen Kayode Awosika and Colby Sorsdal for the Lions’ starting left guard position in 2024. These two offensive lineman appear to be Detroit’s strongest internal possibilities for replacing Jackson.
Additional Potential Offensive Line Targets for Lions
The majority of the prominent free agents inked new contracts during the first week of the 2017 NFL season. However, the Lions could still look to add strong veterans to their interior offensive line.
Both Brown and Moran suggested that guard Dalton Risner could be a free agent candidate for Detroit.
When NFL free agency started, PFF ranked Risner as the fourth-best available guard. Interestingly, he was ahead of Jackson, who was ranked ninth on the free agent guard list.
Kevin Zeitler and Laken Tomlinson, both veteran guards, are also still available. Zeitler is the better player of the two alternatives. He just made his first Pro Bowl, although he turned 34 on March 8.
Tomlinson was initially picked by the Lions in the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He made the Pro Bowl with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021 and turns 32 in February.
The Lions appear to have a few choices if they want to recruit an experienced guard. However, Peat’s versatility and previous relationship with Campbell make him the most likely possible target.
