The Detroit Lions were already thin when it came to pass-blocking on the interior of the offensive line, and that problem got worse on Monday.
Offensive guard Christian Mahogany, who stepped into a starting role for the first time this season at 25 years old in his second NFL campaign after playing in just seven contests as a rookie, broke his leg in the team’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 9.
“[Mahogany] has a broken bone in his leg and will be out for ‘a long time,’ head coach Dan Campbell told reporters,” according to NFL.com.
With Mahogany out for the foreseeable future, and potentially the remainder of the year, the Lions need to strongly consider dealing for help on the offensive front ahead of the league’s November 4 trade deadline.
One potential trade partner is the Cleveland Browns, who have two elite offensive guards in Wyatt Teller and Joel Bitonio heading into free agency next March. Bitonio is 34 years old and on the back end of what will probably be a Hall of Fame career, while Teller is 30 and a longer-term play, which makes Teller the best option all other factors being equal.
Wyatt Teller Can Help Lions Offensive Line With Interior Pass Protection
GettyOffensive guard Wyatt Teller of the Cleveland Browns.
Bill Barnwell of ESPN pondered on October 30 whether the Lions might consider adding a player at tackle given their lack of depth at that position.
“I also wonder if the Lions should consider trying to find some additional depth along the offensive line, where Giovanni Manu struggled filling in for Taylor Decker before hitting injured reserve with a knee issue,” Barnwell wrote.
But while Detroit could use a tackle, the loss of Mahogany makes what was already a potential need at guard more crucial than any other on the front with essentially 24 hours remaining to get something done.
According to Pro Football Focus, Mahogany and right guard/rookie Tate Ratledge are better at run-blocking than the league-average player at their position, but both struggle mightily in the pass-blocking phase.
Teller, a four-time Pro Bowler, ranks 32nd among 78 eligible offensive guards this season based on overall PFF player grade and has a long history of success as both a run- and pass-blocker.
Lions Have Considerable Needs on Both Sides of Football Ahead of NFL Trade Deadline
GettyHead coach Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions.
The trade market is thinner at the tackle position than it is at guard, particularly if the Browns are willing to take calls on both Teller and Bitonio, so solidifying the offensive line through an interior addition is probably the right call for Detroit — although the franchise could certainly attempt to do both.
However, the team is also low on its supply of pass-rushers and has dealt with injury issues in the secondary all year long. After losing to Minnesota on Sunday, the Lions are now 5-3 but maintain legitimate hopes of Super Bowl contention come playoff time.
Given their circumstances and how much need they have across the entire roster, the Lions could end up the biggest buyers in the league at the trade deadline. But if they choose to do nothing, the team may not be healthy or complete enough to truly compete at the top of the NFC come January.
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