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NASHVILLE, TN – AUGUST 28: Larry Borom #75 of the Chicago Bears on the sidelines during an NFL preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on August 28, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Bears defeated the Titans 27-24. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
The Detroit Lions continue to add to their offensive line on the opening day of free agency. After signing Cade Mays from the Panthers to start at center, the Lions are also signing veteran OL Larry Borom, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
Rapoport notes that offensive line help was a “priority” for the Lions today. Borom has experience at both tackle and guard and can fill in at either spot for the Lions, who are going through an offensive line overhaul of their own.
A former fifth-round pick by the Bears out of Missouri in 2021, Borom spent last season with the Dolphins, where he mostly played tackle. For the Lions, he’s likely been brought in to serve as Detroit’s swing tackle, but he’s also a potential option to take over for Taylor Decker at left tackle.
What’s Next for the Detroit Lions Along the Offensive Line?
GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 19: Larry Borom #79 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the second half of the game at Huntington Bank Field on October 19, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
The Lions’ offensive line already looks substantially different than it did a year ago. Decker is out, as is former starting guard/center Graham Glasgow. Mays is in, while young guards Tate Ratledge and Christian Mahogany should be set — unless Borom takes one of their spots.
Amid reports that the Lions may move All-Pro RT Penei Sewell to left tackle, it’s safe to say this might not be the end of Detroit’s shake-up along the offensive line. Nor should it be, as they still need a left tackle.
The good news for Detroit is that this is a great draft for offensive linemen, especially where the Lions are picking at No. 17. They might have a chance to take the top guard in the class, Penn State’s Olaivavega Ioane. Alternatively, they could be in range for Utah’s Spencer Fano or Alabama’s Kadyn Proctor, two elite offensive tackle prospects who could take over for Decker at left tackle (or Sewell on the right side if the Lions move him).
The Detroit Lions Will Look to Climb Back to the NFC Mountaintop in 2026
Despite going 9-8 last year, the Lions finished last in a loaded NFC North division and missed the playoffs. That’s a significant drop from Detroit’s 15-2 record and No. 1 seed in the NFC in 2024, but it also highlights just how tough their division is and, more broadly, their conference.
To get back to the top of the NFC, the Lions needed to do two things: rebuild their offensive line and add talent to their defense, specifically at cornerback and along the defensive line. Check the box on step one: even if the Lions add more to their offensive line, they’ve already poured resources into it.
The Lions’ defense is still undermanned, but they have the resources to devote to it. Instead of drafting a premier offensive line talent with their first-round pick, they could look to add a quality edge rusher in that spot, such as Auburn’s Keldric Faulk or Miami’s Akheem Mesidor. It’s hard to predict exactly who will be on the board when the Lions pick, but the point is they’ll have no shortage of good options.
Ethan Woodie is an accomplished sports writer specializing in the NFL and college football for Heavy.com. He’s written for Heavy since 2025 and has years of experience writing for NFL Trade Rumors and Pro Football Focus (PFF). Woodie is an expert in draft scouting and his final 2025 Big Board was included in Arif Hasan’s media consensus board for Wide Left. More about Ethan Woodie
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