Taylor Decker Gets a Shot at Left Tackle

When was the last time the Detroit Lions had a franchise left tackle?

Ever?

Quarterback Matthew Stafford hasn’t had one since he’s been in the NFL. He’s managed to stay healthy of late but when he first came into the league, he stayed broke off (injured)! Even now, Riley Reiff isn’t franchise left tackle, he’s just better than 2008 1st-round pick Gosder Cherilus.

So in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft, the Lions used their 1st-round selection on Taylor Decker. Decker played left tackle at Ohio State but many projected him at right tackle. The Lions actually need an upgrade at both tackle spot so Decker should help the Lions on either side.

And as of now, the Lions plan to give Decker a look at the left tackle spot to see if he can beat out Reiff. When Lions kicked off their Organized Team Activities this week, Decker was the left tackle with the first-string offense. Reiff was at right tackle with the first-string offense.

Well, Decker was picked in the first round and Reiff has done anything to say he’s the guy there. So you might as well at least give him a chance to beat the veteran out. He just might end up being that guy the Lions have been looking for to protect the quarterbacks’ blind side for years.

He played the position very well against some of the better edge-rushers in college football when at Ohio State. Either way this competition goes, the Lions are going to be much better at the right tackle position than they were in 2015.