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Everyone’s eyes are adjusted to keep the standings in sight for good reason. Losers of six straight, the Detroit Lions are going nowhere of importance in a hurry, but they are going somewhere. A place all too familiar for Lions fans both young and old: the top of the draft order.
Detroit earned their way into the fifth spot of the 2020 NFL Draft after Week 14’s loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but along their downward spiral, there have been some bright spots. One of those spots happens to be Taylor Decker and his play since a disappointing and concerning start to 2019 in Arizona.
Let’s get to today’s Question of the Day:
Should the Lions keep Taylor Decker around long-term?
Bob Quinn’s very first draft pick in 2016, Decker was viewed as the new general manager’s attempt to solidify the team’s tackle situation at the time as well as prepare for a future without longtime left tackle Riley Reiff.
Decker’s role with the team was a little unclear to begin his time in Detroit. He started training camp by earning snaps at right tackle, but eventually moved over to the left side, kicking Reiff out to right tackle by the start of the season.
Decker’s play has been right around average for most of his career. After a stellar rookie season, Decker suffered a torn labrum that set him back in his preparation for his sophomore season. Since rehabbing and returning, he’s been a solid, dependable left tackle, but his season-opener against Arizona gave way to many doubters about Decker and whether or not the team should move forward with him at the team’s left tackle.
But since those early-season missteps, Decker has been one of the best tackles in all of football this season according to Pro Football Focus:
If PFF is any indication, Taylor Decker is earning himself a hefty extension in the near future.
— Jeremy Reisman (@DetroitOnLion) December 9, 2019
Since Week 9, he's been a top-5 OT.
Detroit should get Taylor Decker locked into an extension with so many other question marks and needs elsewhere on this team. Are there better left tackles in the NFL? Sure. Are there worse left tackles? Oh, yes, very much so. Decker should be an above-average left tackle for this team and regardless of what you might think he deserves, the field goal posts are always being moved each year with contracts, so don’t get caught up in hand-wringing when it comes to dollars and cents.
Your turn.