In the final Draft Wire mock, Jeff Risdon has the Lions trading up to select Josh Simmons OT of Ohio State. This is a high-ceiling pick as he could be an elite OT who would serve as a high-quality backup in the short-term and take over for Taylor Decker in the long-term.
What complicates the situation is that Decker recently signed a 3-year extension in the 2024 offseason that ends after the 2027 season. The Lions could move on from Decker after 2025 with a $9.4 million dead cap hit and after 2026 with a $6.3 million dead cap hit. (credit Spotrac)
With Decker advancing in age (32 at start of the 2025 season) and with a toe sesamoidectomy in 2024, there is logic in preparing for the future.
Adding to the logjam is that the Lions traded up into the 4th-round last draft to take a potential future OT in Giovanni Manu. But there are hints that he might be tried as an OG which would set the Lions up nicely from a youth standpoint with Penei Sewell (24) and Simmons (22) at OT, and Christian Mahogany (24) and Manu (24) at OG.
However, there is major risk with the Simmons selection because he suffered a patellar tendon tear in October 2024. In a previous article, I had him in my “severe medical concern” draft tier as the injury could affect his athleticism and reliability going forward. The return-to-play timeline is typically around nine months which means he could still be rehabbing for about three months after the draft.
What may dissuade the Lions from adding Simmons is that the team already has a lengthy list of key players actively rehabbing from season-ending injuries. This rehab list may not even be comprehensive as there is always the possibility of surprise offseason surgeries like we saw with Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph last year.
Would the Lions be comfortable with adding another injured player to their team? We’ll find out Thursday.
LIONS REHABBING THIS OFFSEASON AFTER SEASON-ENDING INJURIES
projected Josh Simmons (patellar rupture – October 2024) A 9-month recovery would have him ready around July-August.
Aidan Hutchinson (left tibia/fibula fracture – October 13, 2024) Should be ready for at least limited action during offseason activities and fully ready by training camp.
Alim McNeill (right ACL – December 15, 2024) Expecting return in November but may not be back to usual form until late season or 2026.
Marcus Davenport (left triceps rupture – September 22, 2024) Might be ready now for offseason activities.
Derrick Barnes (right knee MCL/PCL – September 22, 2024) Should be ready for OTA or minicamp.
Amik Robertson (left humerus fracture – January 18, 2025) Likely ready now.
Malcolm Rodriguez (right ACL – November 28, 2024) Expecting October return.
Mekhi Wingo (unspecified right knee – November 28, 2024) Uncertain details but a reported 6-month recovery makes him likely ready by training camp.
Khalil Dorsey (right tibia/fibula fracture – December 15, 2024) – Should be ready for start of season.
Pat O’Connor (calf – January 5, 2025) Uncertain severity but likely not severe and should be ready for offseason activities.
Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring – November 23, 2024) Likely would have played if Lions advanced farther in playoffs.
David Montgomery (right MCL – December 15, 2024) Technically, he did return for the playoff game following his injury but likely wasn’t fully recovered yet.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions offseason rehab list w/ addition of final Draft Wire projection
In the final Draft Wire mock, Jeff Risdon has the Lions trading up to select Josh Simmons OT of Ohio State. This is a high-ceiling pick as he could be an elite OT who would serve as a high-quality backup in the short-term and take over for Taylor Decker in the long-term.
What complicates the situation is that Decker recently signed a 3-year extension in the 2024 offseason that ends after the 2027 season. The Lions could move on from Decker after 2025 with a $9.4 million dead cap hit and after 2026 with a $6.3 million dead cap hit. (credit Spotrac)
With Decker advancing in age (32 at start of the 2025 season) and with a toe sesamoidectomy in 2024, there is logic in preparing for the future.
Adding to the logjam is that the Lions traded up into the 4th-round last draft to take a potential future OT in Giovanni Manu. But there are hints that he might be tried as an OG which would set the Lions up nicely from a youth standpoint with Penei Sewell (24) and Simmons (22) at OT, and Christian Mahogany (24) and Manu (24) at OG.
However, there is major risk with the Simmons selection because he suffered a patellar tendon tear in October 2024. In a previous article, I had him in my “severe medical concern” draft tier as the injury could affect his athleticism and reliability going forward. The return-to-play timeline is typically around nine months which means he could still be rehabbing for about three months after the draft.
What may dissuade the Lions from adding Simmons is that the team already has a lengthy list of key players actively rehabbing from season-ending injuries. This rehab list may not even be comprehensive as there is always the possibility of surprise offseason surgeries like we saw with Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph last year.
Would the Lions be comfortable with adding another injured player to their team? We’ll find out Thursday.
LIONS REHABBING THIS OFFSEASON AFTER SEASON-ENDING INJURIES
projected Josh Simmons (patellar rupture – October 2024) A 9-month recovery would have him ready around July-August.
Aidan Hutchinson (left tibia/fibula fracture – October 13, 2024) Should be ready for at least limited action during offseason activities and fully ready by training camp.
Alim McNeill (right ACL – December 15, 2024) Expecting return in November but may not be back to usual form until late season or 2026.
Marcus Davenport (left triceps rupture – September 22, 2024) Might be ready now for offseason activities.
Derrick Barnes (right knee MCL/PCL – September 22, 2024) Should be ready for OTA or minicamp.
Amik Robertson (left humerus fracture – January 18, 2025) Likely ready now.
Malcolm Rodriguez (right ACL – November 28, 2024) Expecting October return.
Mekhi Wingo (unspecified right knee – November 28, 2024) Uncertain details but a reported 6-month recovery makes him likely ready by training camp.
Khalil Dorsey (right tibia/fibula fracture – December 15, 2024) – Should be ready for start of season.
Pat O’Connor (calf – January 5, 2025) Uncertain severity but likely not severe and should be ready for offseason activities.
Ennis Rakestraw (hamstring – November 23, 2024) Likely would have played if Lions advanced farther in playoffs.
David Montgomery (right MCL – December 15, 2024) Technically, he did return for the playoff game following his injury but likely wasn’t fully recovered yet.
This article originally appeared on Lions Wire: Lions offseason rehab list w/ addition of final Draft Wire projection
