The Lions have several interesting decisions to make this offseason. Ensuring the offensive line remains a top-five unit in the NFL is a top priority, and a new prediction sees Detroit signing a promising young guard in free agency.
Dolphins G Robert Jones is a solid player with room to grow. Bleacher Report believes the Lions should seriously consider signing him, especially given the presumed departure of an aging Kevin Zeitler.
To ensure the team maintains an advantage in the trenches, signing Jones would be a logical, low-cost move with plenty of upside.
Rookie Christian Mahogany is a better long-term solution, though don’t forget that the Lions could want to replace the struggling Graham Glasglow as well. That Detroit is giving Mahogany snaps speaks to the need for greater depth at the position, making Jones a logical target.
“Kevin Zeitler is about to be a 35-year-old free agent, while Graham Glasgow will turn 33 in the summer and only has two years left on his deal,” Bleacher Report writes. “So, Detroit could be looking for a young potential starter on the open market during free agency. Jones will turn just 26 years old next month and has been a solid player throughout his career, making the Dolphin a good fit in the Motor City.”
Admittedly, Jones’ performance isn’t at the same standard as the Lions’ other starters. He ranks 84th out of 129 guards at Pro Football Focus, though his physical tools suggest there’s room to develop with superior coaching.
At six-foot-four and 325 pounds, the former undrafted free agent has the prerequisite size and athleticism to be a positive contributor to this offense. The stalwarts of Detroit’s line will still be around, and Jones could be a depth piece should the front office find better options to start.
No matter what direction the organization elects to go, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell have the team set up for sustained success. As the young roster ages and becomes more expensive, they’ll need to make smart, cheap acquisitions to remain competitive.
Even if Jones isn’t the answer, he represents the type of player the Lions would benefit from signing.
