Detroit Lions 2026 Player Profile: Larry Borom
· Yahoo Sports
As the Detroit Lions offensive player profile series begins to wind down, only two offensive linemen remain to be covered. Both are competing for starting roles, and today the focus shifts to veteran Larry Borom.
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Borom was one of Detroit’s key free-agent signings this offseason after spending last season with the Miami Dolphins. He signed a one-year, $5 million contract that includes $4.9 million in guaranteed money. The nearly fully guaranteed deal suggests the Lions believe Borom has a legitimate chance to win the starting right tackle job, where he’ll battle first-round rookie Blake Miller throughout training camp.
Borom spent the first four seasons of his career with the Chicago Bears before joining Miami in 2025. Across five NFL seasons, he has made 38 career starts, including 11 last season. During an appearance on the Lions Collective podcast, general manager Brad Holmes made it clear the organization views Borom as a starting-caliber player, saying, “Yeah, he’s started a lot of games,” when asked about the veteran tackle.
The competition at right tackle is expected to be one of the biggest position battles of training camp. Miller received the first-team reps during the opening OTA practice, but Borom worked with the starters during the following session. It’s still too early to determine who has the edge. Considering Detroit’s financial investment in Borom and the draft capital used to select Miller, this job appears wide open.
The Lions have also shown they aren’t afraid to start a rookie on the offensive line. Tate Ratledge earned the starting right guard job as a rookie last season, proving the coaching staff will play whoever they believe gives them the best chance to win.
Borom posted a 60.7 overall Pro Football Focus grade in 2025, ranking 64th among 89 qualified offensive tackles. He played 664 offensive snaps and earned a 67.1 pass-blocking grade, which ranked 51st at the position. His 54.4 run-blocking grade ranked 76th. He allowed 15 total pressures, including two sacks and three quarterback hits, while committing five penalties. He primarily played right tackle.
2024 PFF Grades
* Overall: 53.8
* Pass blocking: 56.2
* Run blocking: 51.7
* Snaps: 329
* Allowed: Seven sacks, two quarterback hits
* Primary position: Left tackle
2023 PFF Grades
* Overall: 48.0
* Pass blocking: 45.2
* Run blocking: 50.4
* Snaps: 411
* Allowed: Three sacks, six quarterback hits
* Primary position: Left tackle
2022 PFF Grades
* Overall: 64.7
* Pass blocking: 69.9
* Run blocking: 62.1
* Snaps: 528
* Allowed: Five sacks, two quarterback hits
* Primary position: Right tackle
2021 PFF Grades
* Overall: 61.4
* Pass blocking: 62.7
* Run blocking: 59.5
* Snaps: 633
* Allowed: Five sacks, four quarterback hits
* Primary position: Right tackle
One trend stands out when looking at Borom’s career: he’s been a much better player at right tackle than left tackle. His two best PFF seasons came while playing on the right side, while his grades dipped significantly when asked to play left tackle.
My gut says Detroit is leaning toward starting Miller because of his first-round pedigree and long-term upside. However, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if Borom wins the job and opens the season as the Lions’ Week 1 starting right tackle. His experience, familiarity with the position, and the confidence shown by the front office make him a very legitimate contender.