The Evan Brown Career Path Might Be Perfect for Miles Frazier
The Detroit Lions may have quietly found the perfect role for Miles Frazier. The twist? It probably does not end with him becoming a starter, and that is perfectly fine.
A lot of fans think Frazier should get a shot at left guard. You can understand why. He came in last season on short notice, did not have a training camp, and barely played until later in the year. When he finally got out there, he looked okay.
But go back and watch the film. You see a guy who missed training camp and had some real struggles. Good moments too, sure. But the struggles were there.
With Christian Mahogany saying the left guard spot is his, Juice Scruggs getting hotter, and Ben Bartch having the most experience at the position, Frazier just got pushed out of that conversation entirely.
Moving Outside
On Sunday at training camp, the Lions had Frazier take reps at both left and right tackle. Larry Borom is the swing tackle right now, but Detroit does not really have a tackle three behind him. That might not sound like the most important thing in the world until you remember what injuries look like for this franchise.
They just keep getting guys hurt. Having as many capable bodies on the roster as possible is not a luxury, it is a necessity.
Borom is only here on a one year deal. The scenario plays out like this: Borom has his one good year as a swing tackle for the Lions and then moves on, maybe gets a shot at starting somewhere else. After that, what do you do? Sign somebody? Draft somebody?
No. You just move Miles Frazier into that role.
The Evan Brown Blueprint
Evan Brown had a very specific skill set for the Lions. He would come off the bench, play both guard spots, play center. He could do anything Detroit wanted him to do, but they never really pushed him to be a starter.
Brown eventually got starting jobs elsewhere with the Cardinals and the Seahawks, both at center and guard.
What really interests me with Frazier is not so much that he can play inside, but that he can play outside. He played left tackle and right tackle at LSU. The Lions are starting to explore that now, and it makes perfect sense.
Where He Stands Right Now
Frazier is immediately ahead of Giovanni Manu and Colby Sorsdal. At this point, we know what Manu and Sorsdal are, and they are likely not going to make it. Devin Cochran is fine for a veteran tackle, but his top years as a potential swing tackle are behind him.
Frazier is just 24 years old and fits that role perfectly.
The Lions are set up well enough on their interior that this is the best way to use him. They have Scruggs, Bartch, and Mahogany on the inside. They do not need Frazier there too.
Move him out to tackle. See what he can do. But know he can play inside if you need him to. It is a perfect do all guy situation.
He may never be a starter in Detroit, and that is fine. They do not need him to be. This is a good player to have around. Maybe after a while he gets some reps and another team comes calling with a trade offer. But the best thing for Frazier right now is to move to tackle and keep getting better at it.
Next year he is the swing tackle. That is the future for Miles Frazier in Detroit, and honestly, there are worse fates for a young offensive lineman than being the Evan Brown of the Brad Holmes era.
Is the swing tackle role a career ceiling or a smart long term play for both sides? Drop your take below.
