Top 5 Clues: How the Detroit Lions Might Illuminate NFL Surprises!
A new proposal suggests a bold strategy for the Detroit Lions to build the NFL’s best offensive line—but it comes with significant risks.
The Detroit Lions already boast one of the top offensive lines in football, but what if they pushed things even further? Mike Payton of A to Z Sports is proposing a bold, unconventional path that could, in his opinion, give Detroit the best offensive line in the league heading into the 2026 season. The idea?
It’s aggressive, creative… and definitely not without risk. The “Crazy Route” Explained According to the proposal, the Lions could take a three-step approach: 1. Draft a Guard Early Instead of targeting an edge rusher or tackle, the suggestion is to use a first-round pick on a dominant offensive guard, Vega Ioane out of Penn State .
The idea is simple: fortify the interior at all costs and lean fully into what already makes Detroit dangerous, its ability to control the line of scrimmage. 2. Move Penei Sewell to Left Tackle Penei Sewell has already proven he can handle the left side, and shifting him there would eliminate the need to find a long-term solution at one of football’s most difficult positions.
That move would also allow Detroit to: Maximize Sewell’s versatility Solidify the blindside Simplify their draft priorities 3. Find a Right Tackle in Round 2 With Sewell shifting left, the Lions could target a right tackle on Day 2, where quality starters are often still available. Payton suggests the Lions select Iowa’s Gennings Dunker , Arizona State’s Max Iheanachor , or Oregon’s Isaiah World .