Update on Lions Camp Battle for No. 3 Offensive Tackle Position

Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell, the Lions’ starting offensive tackle duo, are perhaps the greatest in the NFL. Detroit’s offensive line depth chart is depressing after their powerful tandem.

Dan Campbell, the head coach, and offensive line coach Hank Fraley are looking for someone, anyone, to take the lead and take over the No. 3 OT position. The competition for the position includes holdover Matt Nelson, seasoned newcomer Germain Ifedi, and a group of inexperienced, undrafted teenagers.

Nobody has seized control of the swing tackle position through the first several weeks of training camp.

Ifedi performed reasonably well in team drills on Wednesday while playing as the second team’s left tackle. The seasoned Ifedi didn’t gain many reps, but he also didn’t lose any, much like he did in the preseason victory over the Giants.Nelson has kicked to right tackle with the second team, thus he should have the advantage over him.

Nelson has demonstrated his ability to win reps, particularly in the run game. In the combined practice with the Jags, he had a few of those. He does, however, lose reps much more frequently than his rivals, as we all witnessed on the very first play of the preseason.

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Tackle Battle Heats Up as Nelson Grapples with Footwork Issues

Nelson has struggled all summer with his slow footwork and lackluster athleticism during the recovery phase, which seems to have given Ifedi the advantage in playing the more important left tackle position.

Obinna Eze, a second-year tackle who has shown some development in camp, was also mentioned by Campbell.

A year ago, Eze was an undrafted rookie who didn’t appear NFL-ready. Ryan Swoboda and Connor Galvin are two such UDFAs that the Lions have this season.

Galvin and Swoboda have not performed appallingly poorly while training with the deep reserves, but neither has distinguished themselves as a player who appears to be on the rise on the depth chart in 2023.

Colby Sorsdal, a college tackle at William & Mary who was selected in the fifth round, has only played guard since the start of training camp. Veteran Bobby Hart, who was recently signed by the Lions, has solely played guard. For Sorsdal or Hart, who have both shown potential in their transition to new positions, this is not anticipated to change.

While Max Pircher, a member of the international program, hasn’t distinguished himself from the 6-foot-9 Swoboda at the bottom of the depth chart, veteran Darrin Paulo also works more inside.

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Source: MSN