:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46258946/usa-today-7557077.0.jpg)
On Thursday night, the Detroit Lions used their first-round pick to take Duke offensive guard Laken Tomlinson. They had a big hole in the starting lineup at left guard, and Tomlinson was selected to fill that spot. They also acquired Manny Ramirez in a trade, and he can play both guard and center.
Had neither of those moves happened, might the Lions have tried to trade for Philadelphia Eagles guard Evan Mathis? It sounds like the Lions at least considered pursuing a deal for him:
Lions had some interest before their 1st round pick RT @Jeff_McLane: Asked if he expected Evan Mathis to be back, Chip Kelly said ask Evan.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 2, 2015
Despite consistently being one of the top guards in the NFL, Mathis has found himself on the trade block this offseason. More than anything, that's likely because he's 33 years old and is set to make $5.5 million this year and $6 million in 2016. Chip Kelly has shown he isn't afraid to trade away players, so if not for taking Tomlinson, this could have been a situation where the Lions ended up making a run at Mathis.