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Taylor Decker #68 of the Detroit Lions could be a good fill-in for the Cleveland Browns.
Even before free agency started in the NFL, the Cleveland Browns were doing the work of building up what was a clear area of weakness in 2025, one that likely would have needed a refresh even if it were not true that the bulk of its members were heading into free agency: the offensive line. Days before the start of the free-agent process, the Browns made a deal to bring in Tytus Howard from the Texans, sending a fifth-round pick to Houston in return.
The Browns continued from there, adding guard Zion Johnson and guard/center Elgton Jenkins in free agency. They moved to keep Elgton Jenkins’ brother, too, Teven Jenkins, who will get a chance to earn a starting job.
It’s easy to see how the Browns have now filled out four of the roles on their line, but they’ve left one pretty sizable hole: Cleveland did not add a left tackle. There’s a chance they could let Dawand Jones earn the job, but his health issues (he’s played 24 games in three years) are worrisome. They could also–and most likely will–draft a left tackle but the best offensive linemen in this year’s draft are not left tackles, and are not seen as ready-to-play draftees.
Browns Could Pursue Taylor Decker
And so the folks at Bleacher Report are calling on the Browns to do the sensible thing and go after former Lions free-agent tackle Taylor Decker, who is a 32-year-old stopgap solution, but given the void on the roster, the best choice the team has at this point.
Decker is a former first-round pick from Ohio State who has been with the Lions for 10 seasons, and played 14 games each of the last two years.
As BR wrote: “Left tackle remains a glaring need, so much so that just about everyone expects the Browns to use one of their first-round picks on the position. … After a decade in Detroit that included a trip to the Pro Bowl in 2024, Taylor Decker asked for and was granted his release by the Lions.
“The 32-year-old is past his prime and has missed multiple games each of the last three seasons, but when healthy he remains a quality starter.”
GettyCleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry.
Taylor Decker a ‘Viable Veteran Option’
At this point, having a quality starter on hand is just what the Browns need. That would allow them to take a best-player-available approach in next month’s NFL draft. Decker is not a star at the position anymore, but he gives the Browns a short-term solution.
It was not a great market for left tackles in free agency, and Decker was rated the No. 2 free agent at the position (No. 42 overall) by Pro Football Focus. Spotrac pegs his market value at $42 million over two years, though that price may have gone down as Decker has remained unsigned.
Wrote PFF: “Taylor Decker was the Detroit Lions‘ longest-tenured player before requesting his release after 10 seasons with the team. … In 2025, he allowed two sacks, three hits and 28 hurries across 551 pass-blocking snaps, finishing with a 67.9 pass-blocking grade that ranked 59th among 93 qualifying tackles. Entering his age-32 season, Decker still profiles as a viable veteran option for teams looking to add experience on the blind side.”
Browns Went for Versatility on O-Line
Browns general manager Andrew Berry, talking with reporters on Sunday night, said he knows there are holes on the line but is happy that the team got some versatile players in. Both Jenkins and Howard played multiple positions last season–but not left tackle.
Said Berry: “I think as we look specifically with that offensive line group, good players, but also very versatile. And particularly like with Elgton and Tytus, both of those guys are players who can play at a quality starting level. at both positions across the offensive line. And that’s super helpful because it really is a war of attrition with that position group.
“I think something like we looked at it as either 23 or 24 teams last year played less than 50% with their starting five. Of course, we were one of them. And so to have that resiliency built into a position group where you have guys that can start all across the line of scrimmage, it’s really important.”
Sean Deveney is a veteran sports reporter covering the NBA, NFL and MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2019 and has more than two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of 7 nonfiction books, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.” More about Sean Deveney
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