Larry Borom

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Salary-cap math on Larry Borom's contract works out to a C+ Contract Value Index given the dead-cap exposure and term. A one-year, $5M deal for a 27-year-old offensive lineman with a C- performance grade represents reasonable depth insurance, but the contract only makes sense if Detroit views Borom as genuine contingency rather than a long-term solution—his 2025 season of 16 games played didn't produce a higher performance grade, which signals limited upside in a pure starter role. At $5M AAV on a single-year commitment, the Lions are paying solidly within the offensive tackle depth market, avoiding both the premium of a long-term extension and the risk of a minimum-salary flier. Borom's position in his fifth year as a professional—old enough to understand scheme demands, young enough to have tape available—makes him a classic roster insurance purchase: the organization isn't betting on decline, but they're not projecting a breakthrough either. The media framing around positional flexibility and Brad Holmes's reported comfort with Borom in a starting role if needed does elevate the perception of this signing slightly, but the gap between "serviceable depth" and "reliable starter" remains real and unresolved. With Detroit quietly adding depth across multiple positions and avoiding draft desperation at tackle, this contract reflects a front office that has identified specific short-term needs and addressed them without overcommitting—a practical, no-frills approach that keeps the CVI in the B- range.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Larry's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Tape review and box-score baselines converge on a C- performance grade for Larry Borom. At 27 years old and in his fifth season, Borom slots into the below-average tier for offensive tackles — a depth piece with serviceable positional versatility but inconsistent execution that limits his ceiling as a reliable starter. His durability stands out: Borom appeared in all 16 games during the 2025 season, providing the availability the Lions sought in a low-risk offseason signing. The execution itself, however, tells a different story — his grade reflects the gap between showing up and performing at a level that confidently protects the quarterback or opens lanes consistently. Media framing positions him as flexible insurance rather than a long-term answer, with his ability to move around the line praised as a strategic asset that could give Detroit lineup optionality, yet his actual on-field reliability remains the unresolved question. For a backup-level contributor in an offseason where Detroit has quietly fortified depth across multiple positions, Borom delivers exactly what the organization signed him for: reasonable insurance while avoiding premium draft capital or cap commitment on the tackle spot.

How Larry Compares at the Position

Larry Borom ranks 72nd of 189 graded offensive tackles by performance. That slots Larry between Aireontae Ersery (C) just ahead and Rasheed Walker (C-) just behind.

Fan Sentiment

Larry Borom's arrival in Detroit has landed with cautious, measured optimism — a C+ reception that captures the public mood accurately. The narrative driving that grade is straightforward: media framing positions this as a smart, low-risk depth move, with Borom's positional flexibility drawing the most praise, specifically his ability to give the coaching staff options around how they deploy Penei Sewell along the line. That praise, however, runs directly into an F-level performance grade, which reflects legitimate skepticism about what Borom actually delivers as an on-field contributor — the gap between "solid depth insurance" and "reliable starter" remains real and unresolved. The hometown angle — Borom's ties to Detroit through Brother Rice — has given the signing a warmer emotional reception than a pure backup lineman would normally generate, but fans and analysts alike are keeping expectations appropriately grounded for a backup-level contributor. Detroit's broader offseason activity, which includes additions like Ben Bartch along the offensive line, reinforces the organizational strategy of quietly shoring up depth rather than making splashy commitments. One notable signal: Lions GM Brad Holmes was reportedly comfortable with Borom in a starting role if needed, a data point that has elevated the perception of this signing just enough to keep the narrative from slipping further. With the regular season still months away, the prevailing sentiment is that Borom is exactly what he was signed to be — adequate insurance — and the story will stay at C+ until training camp forces a harder evaluation.