Lions Viewed As T Kadyn Proctor’s Floor; Ravens Interested?

The Lions granted Taylor Decker‘s release request after the sides could not agree on an adjusted contract. Decker had considered retirement this offseason but is eyeing an 11th NFL campaign; the Pro Bowler does not yet have a team.

While it should be expected Decker lands somewhere for an age-33 season, the Lions have a glaring need. Penei Sewell appears poised to shift from right to left tackle, following Tristan Wirfs in doing so, but only veteran swingman Larry Borom is in place as a right tackle option. The Lions look to be closely eyeing tackles in this draft.

One of those is Kadyn Proctor, with NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah indicating Detroit at No. 17 should be considered the Alabama prospect’s floor. Jeremiah views Proctor — his 22nd-ranked prospect — as having the most upside among O-linemen in this class. As our Ely Allen noted recently, Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano have been frequently ranked above Proctor, who has generated some weight concerns ahead of the draft. He checked in at 6-foot-7 and 352 pounds at the Combine but has played heavier in the past. Mekhi Becton-like concerns could cloud Proctor’s outlook, but Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer indicates he will go earlier than expected.

Breer previously posited Proctor’s best NFL fit may be at right tackle or at guard, and while he does add some discipline questions have surfaced here (potentially making certain teams leery), the upside will naturally intrigue other clubs.

A college LT, Proctor changing positions would suddenly align with the Lions’ needs, as Dan Campbell has discussed sliding Sewell — a three-time first-team All-Pro RT — to the blind side. The Buccaneers made the same move with Wirfs following the 2023 season; he has since collected two more Pro Bowls and earned first-team All-Pro recognition at his new spot. Sewell, whose 2024 extension lapped the field at right tackle, would be the NFL’s third-highest-paid LT.

Detroit agreed to terms with Borom on Day 1 of free agency, but the team only authorized a one-year, $5MM deal. That makes the formerly demoted Bears blocker’s status murky, and the Lions will surely look to have a higher-upside player opposite Sewell soon. Proctor has been linked to the Browns — who hold Nos. 6 and 24 — and visited the Chiefs (No. 9) and Texans (No. 28) thus far. Unless Houston moves way up, it appears Proctor will be out of reach.

The Lions had Decker and Sewell playing across from one another for four seasons. In that time, Detroit formed a high-end O-line. Major changes have ensued on the Lions’ front, however. Sewell is set to be the only starter from 2024 still in place by the time Week 1 rolls around. Given the interest in Proctor, it is fairly safe to say the Lions — who signed center Cade Mays last month — will be adding another piece to this unit early in the draft.

GM Brad Holmes also said (via ESPN.com’s Eric Woodyard) the Lions would “absolutely” use draft capital to trade up if the team is convinced on a player. The Lions made a big jump for Jameson Williams in 2022, and they veered wildly from mock drafts in adding Jahmyr Gibbs and Jack Campbell in the 2023 first round.

It is no lock Proctor falls to Detroit at 17. The Ravens are known to be fond of the Alabama program, and Proctor did impress at his pro day. No character issues exist here, according to SI.com’s Jason La Canfora, who views Proctor as the club’s most likely first-round O-line preference.

The Ravens do not have a tackle need presently, having Ronnie Stanley and Roger Rosengarten installed at those spots, but they did lose guard Daniel Faalele to the Giants last week. Baltimore added John Simpson in free agency, however. If the team drafted Proctor at No. 14, he would presumably replace Andrew Vorhees at left guard.