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The Detroit Lions are continuing their parade of veteran players through Allen Park. According to NFL Network, 32-year-old guard Matt Slauson will be coming in for a visit on Firday:
#Chargers free agent guard Matt Slauson is visiting the #Lions tomorrow, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2018
Slauson was one of the free agent targets we mentioned in our offensive line free agency preview. Here’s a reminder of what the Lions can expect in Slauson:
Matt Slauson (age 32)
Another stop-gap options for the Lions and with the same injury concerns as some of the players above. Slauson’s 2017 season was cut short due to a torn bicep early in the season.
But Slauson brings something a few of these other candidates don’t: Versatility. Slauson can play center or either of the guard spots, and that’s something that could be quite valuable to general manager Bob Quinn, especially considering he wouldn’t commit to Graham Glasgow playing guard or center in 2018.
Slauson struggled in 2017, but he was one of the better centers in the league in 2016, garnering an 81.2 PFF grade.
Interesting note about that 2016 season: He was playing for offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, who is now the offensive line coach in Detroit.
Slauson suffered his bicep injury back in October, so he’s had five months of recovery time.
Detroit has an obvious need on the inside of their offensive line, as it has become abundantly clear starting center Travis Swanson will not be coming back. Slauson’s versatility makes him an intriguing option for the Lions, but age and injury history will likely prevent Slauson from being a long-term option in Detroit.