Lions' 2023 Roster Bubble: Offensive Line
The Detroit Lions have built their offensive line through the NFL Draft. The run game has reaped its benefits.
Four of the Lions' presumed five starters up front were acquired via the draft, with three being first-round selections. A fifth, Graham Glasgow, is back with the organization after departing for Denver.
Frank Ragnow, Jonah Jackson, Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell are all draftees who will start for the Lions up front in 2023. Collectively, they give the Lions one of the best units in the league.
These four will account for all but the right guard spot. This position will be battled for by the duo of Glasgow and Halapoulivaati Vaitai, who is returning from a back injury that cost him all of 2022.
Injuries have prevented the Lions from starting their top five together each of the last two seasons. Dan Campbell and company are hoping the starting five will play a single snap together, which can't be said about both 2021 and 2022.
Glasgow should be safely on the roster as both a backup center and guard. Matt Nelson, meanwhile, is the frontrunner as the swing tackle.
Formerly an undrafted free agent, Nelson has done a solid job over the past two seasons filling in for injuries, as well as operating as an extra lineman in jumbo situations.
Roster bubble
Colby Sorsdal is a fifth-round pick who will have to adjust from playing FCS competition at William & Mary. He should have every opportunity to make the roster but will have plenty of competition.
Chief among the players on the fringe are incumbent guards Logan Stenberg and Kayode Awosika. Stenberg finally cracked the starting lineup last season after two campaigns on the sidelines but couldn't run away with the starting job in Vaitai's absence.
This paved a way for Awosika to step in, but he too couldn't stake a claim at the open guard position. Evan Brown was the eventual starter, but he departed for Seattle in free agency.
Ross Pierschbacher also spent time on the Lions' active roster last season. He has versatility similar to Glasgow's, which could be an asset for the team's depth.
Another potential spot stealer is Obinna Eze, who stuck on the team's practice squad after narrowly missing the cut at the conclusion of the preseason.
The TCU product has good size and athleticism. He and eight-year veteran Germain Ifedi are among the biggest challengers to Nelson as the backup tackle.
Darrin Paulo is in his second year out of Utah, while Max Pircher is looking to make the roster as part of the NFL's International Pathway Program. He previously spent time with the Los Angeles Rams.
Elsewhere, Connor Galvin, Brad C and Ryan Swodoba are undrafted free agents looking to crack the roster.
