All-Pro tackle says Lions second-year tackle project is coming along

The Lions have a long list of second-year players who will make significant impacts in 2025, and Giovanni Manu may be next on the list.

Manu was a fourth-round pick from the Lions in 2024. Lions GM Brad Holmes traded up for the tackle prospect, in hopes of him being a productive project for the Lions ging forward.

Of course, with Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker at the tackle spots for Detroit, a spot may not open up for Manu on the starting line for quite a while, but from Sewell's comments to the media on Thursday, it seems as though Manu is coming along.

Manu's progression is ultra-important to the Lions' future

The best offensive lineman in football, Penei Sewell, gave some very encouraging context surrounding Giovanni Manu's progression and where he still needs to improve.

"It's always good to work with a teammate, so he's out there with [Taylor Decker]," said Sewell regarding Manu's training with the Lions' starting left tackle. "He's building on [last season] technically, and right now I think the mental aspect is where he's got to go."

Plenty of Lions fans were confused in 2024 when Holmes traded up to land a project offensive tackle in the fourth round, but it makes plenty of sense. The Lions are going to have Penei Sewell for at least the next five seasons, but we can't say the same for the guy Manu is training with, Taylor Decker.

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Decker is going on his 10th season in the NFL, all with Detroit, and will turn 32 before the regular season starts in 2025. While 2024 wasn't his best year by any means, Decker still found himself ranked 22nd/140 tackles on PFF.

Unfortunately, offensive line is a position that comes with injuries and a shelf life, which makes drafting a project like Giovanni Manu extremely important. Not only can Manu potentially be the guy to succeed Decker, but the Lions may need him to start due to injuries this season.

While his draft classmate Christian Mahogany will likely start in 2024 due to more openings inside, Manu will have to wait his turn. However, if he continues to work with Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell, Manu will likely find himself in the starting lineup at some point with the Lions.

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