The Detroit Lions are walking into the first week of preseason in 2026 with a real problem in the middle of their offensive line.
Cade Mays is expected to be out for a while, and that only piles onto an OL picture that was already unsettled heading into the season. Right now, the line appears to feature Penei Sewell and Blake Miller at tackle, with Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge at guard.
Even with those pieces in place, the depth behind them is still very much in question. That’s why Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton connected Detroit to former Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl winner Mekhi Becton as his top free-agent fit.
"G Mekhi Becton: Detroit Lions," Moton writes. "... The Lions can re-establish their physical identity on the offensive side of the ball with the addition of Mekhi Becton, a 6'7'', 363-pounder who's transitioned from offensive tackle to guard."
Becton, 27, won a Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2024 while starting at right guard. He brought power in the run game and held up reasonably well as a pass blocker during that stretch.
Still, there’s a clear downside to the fit. Detroit’s bigger immediate need is at center after Mays’ injury, and Becton’s 2025 season with the Los Angeles Chargers was rough.
He gave up three sacks and 36 total pressures, and Pro Football Focus ranked him 79th out of 81 guards.
That kind of season makes him one of the least effective guards in the league last year, but the Lions could still view him as a depth piece or a challenger for Mahogany’s spot.
Becton may not be the cleanest answer for Detroit, but the upside he flashed during that Eagles title run is enough to keep him on the radar. With the Lions’ offensive line still unsettled, taking a shot on a 59-game starter who has moved from tackle to guard makes some sense.
In Other News...
Lions Rookie Is Suddenly Forcing His Way Into Camp Conversations
With a light practice session and plenty of players sidelined or limited Sunday, there was room for some of the younger Lions to make a case for themselves. Rookie defensive tackle Sykler Gill-Howard did exactly that, showing noticeable improvement and stacking together a handful of impactful snaps that helped him break into the camp conversation. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs also flashed the speed and burst that have made him such a dangerous part of the offense.
For Gill-Howard, the timing matters. He is trying to turn a strong practice into something more lasting during a camp where opportunities can come fast for young linemen, especially when the roster is banged up and coaches are watching every rep closely. The Lions have plenty to sort through on both sides of the ball, but a rookie who keeps showing up on the field can force his way into the mix sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]
Lions Send A Clear Preseason Message With Blake Miller Decision
Dan Campbells latest preseason update gave a pretty clear read on how Detroit plans to handle its roster going into the Bengals game. Rookie right tackle Blake Miller is expected to get on the field, which keeps the focus on evaluating a young player who could use the live work, while the Lions continue to take a careful approach with the rest of the offense.
The bigger picture is just as telling, especially with the team managing health after the wrist injury to starting center Cade Mays. Most of the established starters are unlikely to see preseason action, leaving the Lions to lean on backup depth and preserve key pieces for when the games start to count. [Read more 🡒]