The Detroit Lions have made a move on the offensive line, but it isn’t exactly the trade deadline blockbuster some were hoping for. According to his agency, offensive lineman Jack Conley is reportedly signing to the Lions’ practice squad.
Conley, a rookie, went undrafted this year, but quickly signed with the New England Patriots. While he didn’t make the team’s 53-man roster, he spent the first month of the season on the team’s practice squad. He has not been on an NFL roster since September 30.
Conley was a teammate of injured Lions guard Christian Mahogany in college at Boston College. He was a starter for three seasons (2022-24). In 2022, he mostly filled in at both tackle positions, but started all 12 games. The following year, he played everywhere from right tackle, left guard, and tight end. Last year with the Boston College Eagles, he started all 12 games at right guard.
At 6-foot-7, 325 pounds, he certainly has the size to play tackle, but he played his best football in college at guard. This preseason, Conley logged 76 preseason snaps at right tackle, earning a collective PFF grade of 68.3. He only allowed a single pressure in 28 pass blocking snaps over that time. In training camp, he also logged snaps at guard and as a sixth offensive lineman.
Conley’s versatility could come in handy as a long-term developmental option, but he seems unlikely to immediately contend for a spot on the 53-man roster, let alone the starting spot at left guard now that Mahogany is expected to be out for at least a month.
At the time of this publishing, there is less than an hour until the NFL trade deadline.
See More:
