Detroit Lions: La’el Collins fills need on OL

By Stephen Forsha | Apr 25, 2015

The Detroit Lions’ biggest team need on their roster isn’t on their defensive line or at the running back. If the Lions want to continue to be a success, but overcome the current rein the Green Bay Packers have on the NFC North, the team needs to start adding to the most important part of their roster … the offensive line.

More from Detroit Lions

The Lions are in need of an offensive tackle, and if they want to have their offense move in the right direction in 2015 (and get out of the first round of the playoffs), they must solidify an offensive line.

One offensive lineman who could provide the Lions with the strength and build they need up front is LSU offensive tackle La’el Collins.

The 6-4, 308-pound offensive lineman is the choice of some experts for the Lions with their first-round pick at 23rd overall this upcoming Thursday.

ESPN Insider and NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. has the Lions selecting Collins in his most recent mock draft (his fourth version) earlier this month. One aspect of Collins he explains is the 300-plus pound Collins could become an offensive guard as well.

"“Kiper Jr. wrote: The Lions simply can’t take full advantage of the weapons they have on offense if they don’t improve up front, and Collins can be an immediate help. I think he can play tackle, but he could also become an immediate upgrade at left guard, as he’s one of the most dominant run-blockers in the draft over the past few seasons.”"

This is all very true by Kiper Jr., and though the Lions might have to pass up on a top running back in the draft to make a selection for their offensive line, it does make a lot of sense to do so.

At the combine, Collins bench pressed 225 pounds 21 times, and for an offensive tackle his 40-yard dash time came in at 5.12, so that could prove useful on his run block skills.

Look at the team that defeated the Lions in the playoffs this past January in the Dallas Cowboys. They rebuilt their offensive line the past few drafts, and not only did they defeat the Lions in the playoffs, but they were one or two plays away from defeating the Packers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs as well.

And isn’t what this all comes back around to … the Lions defeating the Packers and becoming NFC North champions?

Detroit has arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL in Calvin Johnson and a Top 10 quarterback in Matthew Stafford. For either one of them to really show what they are still capable of, the offensive line must provide the protection needed for them to do their job to the highest ability.

If the Lions can open up the their running game more, it will only free up Johnson and Co. in the passing game, leading to the Lions advancing out of the Wild Card round of the playoffs.

All of that could begin if the Lions were to draft Collins.

CBSSports.com has Collins as their fourth-rated tackle in the draft, and the 23rd overall rated player as of Saturday.

The CBS Sports draft experts have Collins going as early as the ninth pick to the New York Giants, all the way to the 20th pick to the Philadelphia Eagles, so it is safe to say Collins will be in high demand and not make it out of the first round.

Joe Marino of Draft Breakdown has Collins as the second-rated offensive tackle in the draft, writing this about the future first-round choice:

"“Collins has an obvious ability to move people off the line of scrimmage and create running lanes. A powerful and aggressive run blocker, Collins has a mean streak combined with the raw strength to dominate at the point of attack to generate movement.”"

Though the Lions were the second-best offense in terms of yards per game at 397.0 yards (they only trailed the New England Patriots), they still could be even better if they can just continue to add to that offense, and Collins should be that guy.

Yes, the Lions decided to not re-sign Reggie Bush this offseason, and they also passed on bringing back Ndamukong Suh, but the Lions can look later in the draft for a running back, and they’ve already made moves to replace Suh. Anytime a team has an opportunity to add a run blocker like Collins and improve an offensive line, it can only make the entire team that much better.

A team is only as good as their offensive line, and you rarely see a team win in the NFL without a dominating offensive line. Now, the question is: do the Lions believe they need to improve their offensive line, or will they look elsewhere in the first round?

Next: Detroit Lions have brutal start to '15 season

More from NFL Spin Zone

Home/Detroit Lions