Lions predicted to make major move to secure Taylor Decker replacement

It’s no secret the Detroit Lions have a big hole to fill on offense.

Pro Bowl offensive tackle Taylor Decker is no longer with the team, and Detroit could either move All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell to the left side or draft Decker’s replacement in the 2026 NFL draft.

ESPN’s Peter Schrager believes they’ll take the second route. The NFL insider believes Detroit has a replacement in mind, which is why he predicted the Lions will make a big trade up to make sure they get the player they want.

Schrager predicted the Lions will trade the No. 17 overall pick, the No. 118 overall pick (Round 4), and a 2027 second-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for the 13th overall pick, where they’d select Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor.

“Taylor Decker was released, and Proctor is still sitting there,” Schrager said. “So, general manager Brad Holmes might call up his old team and see if the Rams are open for business.

“Proctor would be a huge presence (6-foot-7, 352 pounds) at left tackle for Jared Goff and the Detroit offense, and taking a left tackle would mean Penei Sewell could stay on the right side.”

Schrager’s trade proposal is a hefty price to pay, but with quarterback Jared Goff, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, wide receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams, and tight end Sam LaPorta, it’s a price the Lions may be willing to pay to keep their offense playing at a high level.

Proctor was a standout for the Crimson Tide last season.

The 6-foot-7, 359-pound Proctor played 963 offensive snaps, allowing 21 pressures, 15 hurries, four QB hits, and just two sacks en route to an All-American season.

With Decker no longer in the picture, the only player the Lions have under contract who played snaps at left tackle last season is Giovanni Manu. The 25-year-old played just 68 snaps at LT last season, allowing two pressures and two sacks.