Tim Twentyman

The Lions return All-Pro right tacklePenei Sewellbut will enter the season without long-time left tackle Taylor Decker after he was released this offseason.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell spoke to reporters at last week's Annual League Meetings in Arizona andsaid hes leaning toward moving Sewell to left tackleto protectJared Goffsblindside. That would open a spot for a new starter on the right side, whether that's newly acquiredLarry Borom, veteranGiovanni Manuor a rookie added to the roster later this month in the NFL Draft.

"If you're asking me, I'd like to move him," Campbell said of Sewell playing left tackle in 2026. "We are ready to do that, if need be. I don't want to say right now I'm going to commit to that, but we are ready to do that."

Sewell's flexibility to play both right and left tackle means the Lions can target the best tackle prospect and not worry about the side. That's a good spot for Lions general manager Brad Holmes to be in if he looks to add to the position via the draft.

Tackle class draft strength:High-end early talent with good depth. There are seven tackles that made NFL media analyst Daniel Jeremiah's most recent list of theTop 50 prospectsin the class. There are 12 tackles who have received a first- through third-round grade entering the draft.

It's a really strong group at the top with a handful of first-round picks expected to be able to come in and start right away. There's a chance we could see as many as seven offensive tackles taken in the first round.

Lions tackle depth chart:Sewell, Borom, Manu, Devin Cochran, Colby Sorsdal

Lions tackle draft priority:High. Detroit views Borom as a potential starter at right tackle with 38 career NFL starts under his belt, but they'd certainly like more competition at that spot throughout the offseason and training camp before making that determination.

The Lions are hoping Manu continues to take steps forward in his development, but they can't go into the season counting on him to be starter ready. It's likely the Lions will come out of this draft with a young tackle prospect they think can push Borom and Manu for a starting role. The competition alone will make everyone better.

Five tackles who fit Lions:

1. Francis Mauigoa, Miami

6-5, 329. 5.10 seconds 40-yard dash (1.72 10-yard split)

Mauigoa is a big, powerful right tackle prospect who should immediately be a plus player as a run blocker. He's a mauler and a people mover in the run game. He can bend and anchor in pass pro and should be an immediate starter.

2. Spencer Fano, Utah

6-5, 311. 4.91 seconds 40-yard dash (1.72 10-yard split)

Started at left tackle at Utah as a freshman and moved over to right tackle as a sophomore where he has started the last two seasons. He's a terrific athlete who is quick out of his stance with good feet and terrific technique. In the run game, he moves people. Utah ran behind him when they needed tough yards. Fano has position versatility being able to flip inside to guard because of his strength and athleticism. He even took snaps at center at the Combine.

3. Monroe Freeling, Georgia

6-7, 315. 4.93 seconds 40-yard dash (1.71 10-yard split)

Freeling is one of the most athletic tackles to enter the draft in decades with an RAS (Relative Athletic Score) of 99.99 out of 100, ranking No. 2 out of 1,512 offensive tackles from 1987 to 2026. He's got the kind of length, long arms (34 3/4), quickness and athleticism teams love at the position with room to still add mass and strength to his frame.

4. Kadyn Proctor, Alabama

6-7, 352. 5.21 seconds 40-yard dash (1.84 10-yard split)

Proctor is a massive human with terrific athletic traits. He gets downhill in the run game and moves defenders out of the way. He has quicker feet in pass pro than most people would think for a man his size. Alabama put him in the backfield and used him as a fullback which shows off the kind of athleticism we're talking about with Proctor.

5. Caleb Lomu, Utah

6-6, 313. 4.99 seconds 40-yard dash (1.74 10-yard split)

A two-year starter at left tackle with plenty of room to still grow. He's technically sound with terrific play strength and balance. He's going to continue to grow as he adds strength at the next level and projects to be a quality starter for a long time.