2015 Detroit Lions roster review: Offensive guards

As part of our season wrap-up series, we are going to examine how each player on the roster performed in 2015. Next, let's take a look at the Detroit Lions' offensive guards. (Note: Numbers for sacks, QB hits and QB hurries allowed are from Pro Football Focus.)

Larry Warford

2015 stats: 13 games (13 starts) | Allowed 2 sacks, 5 QB hits, 17 QB hurries
2016 status: Signed through 2016

After fighting through an ankle injury for the first quarter of the season, Warford managed to make his way back into the starting lineup and stay there. However, after a promising first two seasons of his career, Warford took a step back in his performance in 2015. In the same amount of games as last season, Warford allowed three more QB hits and five more QB hurries. Still, Warford has to be considered the best offensive lineman on the roster right now.

Laken Tomlinson

2015 stats: 16 games (14 starts) | Allowed 4 sacks, 6 QB hits, 20 QB hurries
2016 status: Signed through 2018

The Lions likely wanted to give Tomlinson some time before pushing him into the starting lineup, but injuries forced the rookie to get playing time right away. Tomlinson's rookie year had its ups and downs. At times, Tomlinson looked like the dominant force worthy of a first round pick, while other times he struggled.

Manny Ramirez

2015 stats: 16 games (7 starts) | Allowed 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 6 QB hurries
2016 status: Unrestricted free agent

Ramirez not only graded out as the Lions' best guard according to Pro Football Focus, he actually was the highest graded offensive lineman. However, after the Lions' returned to full health, they decided to relegate Ramirez to the bench. It must have been a frustrating season for Ramirez, who, at 32 years old, probably doesn't have many chances to break into the starting lineup left in his career.

Darren Keyton

2015 stats: 0 games (0 starts)
2016 status: Signed through 2016

Keyton was placed on injured reserve after suffering a significant knee injury in the Lions' preseason opener.

Outlook for 2016

The Detroit Lions are pretty much set at guard for the 2016 season. They will be looking for Warford to bounce back to his level of production in 2013 and 2014. While Tomlinson will ideally build upon his 2015 experience. However, the Lions will have to make a decision on Ramirez, who will become a free agent this offseason. Ramirez provided excellent depth and even made a good case for the starting job. But it may be hard to convince him to stick around for another year after the Lions benched him for the majority of 2015.

Previously: Quarterbacks, running backs, fullbacks, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive tackles